The free citizen. (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-10-02

lottc, urged the latter to escape from
Russia III the guisc of a servant. But
the plan WAS frustrated In the follow
ing year, and amid the JOY which an
nounced the birth of Il son of Catharine,
the princess, having somewhat recovered
from the assault already mentioned, twas
secretly placed on board Prllssian YES
sci, and landed on the southern .horc Of
the Baltic.
AT the same time the countess and the
physician played a bold game. a sham
burial was originated. a wax figure,
skilltully moulded, was placed in cof-
fin, which, while the bells were tolling,
was hurried away and consigned to II
sepulchrc in the church of st. Peter and
Paul. There were but few mourncrs,
and the ceremony was brief. a false
announcement WAS spccdcd to the cap.
itol, and no one, in the excitement of the
hour, paused even to give it reflection.
At the proper season, the princess
having recovered and rcgaincd sufficient
strength, proceeded to Strlsburg, and
thence to Paris. Here she clspoSed OF
her Jcwclry, and, in company with Swiss
cmigrants set sail for America She
arrived at New Orleans, where she was
recognized and salutcd by Count d' Au-
baut, Il member Of the French diplomatic
service, who had formerly known her
of her at st. Petersburg.
The count was Il handsome fellow, but
very shy. He had not the courage, even
when confident that some unknown
cause had cstrangcd her from her hus-
band, to ingratiatc himself in the prin-
cess favor. But day and night he was
haunted by her matchcss beauty, and
yet circumstances compelled them to
remain longer apart.
After awhile the princess, still regard
ing her Swiss companions as in one sense
her guides, followed them from their
first landing in New Orleans To Il place
fifty miles up the river. Here she pur-
chased 4 small plantation, and, with the
help of others, planned To cultivate it.
Count d Aubaut had not ceased to dog
her footsteps. Wherever she went he
pursued, until Il bright idea entered into
his mind
Having assured himself of her dctcrm-
nation to remain always in America
the count FASTENED back to New Orleans
and from the encouragement, who was
his near relative, obtained a perpetual
ownership of a large tract Of land border
ing on the Mississippi, together with a
release from his diplomatic service
This tract of land happened to ad Join
the estate of the Princess Charlotte; and
having erected a small dwelling for him
self, he looked forward to the day when
pcrchancc fortune might permit him to
enlarge it focthc reception oi his idol.
The days and the weeks passed by, and
rc,e count had succeeded in winning the
,I; odship Of the princess. This friend
nul,E 'aily became more intimate; and,
,T;nnIo.a n.u 2 princess no longer hcsitatcd to
,sv,t'I n''t t,n ..n story of her misfortuncs. the
sion of sympa}Mllo9st @ }Mllost sincere in his express
some anncarancn his IN cminently hand
u mannerg epp',rcI; and his hlG ssGt and graceful
deep impression upon the heart OF INT
lonely lady; and the courtesy and conf
him made him bold to sue for her lcaft
and hand But no; she rcsolutcly re-
fused any offer of marriage.
Count dAubaut was in dcsgair, and to
tarry longer in the presence of one whom
he could not claim as his own was death
itself. Abandoning his estate, and bid
ding farewell to the princess, he returned
to New Orleans, where he engaged pas
sage on board a vessel bound for Mar
scillcs. In less than an hour the ship
ended his preparations for departure
and fro upon the deck; small package
lay there, on which a half-sheet of IL
newspaper. the Mercurc Hollandois, of
the year I7ls, had been placed by some
strange hand. His eyes dropped, and
rested for moment on fateful para
graph; and there he read, as ,nc not
sorrowful, Of the death of the Grand
Duke Alexis at ST. Petersburg!
1t is easier to imagine his feelings than
TO describe them. C;rasping the paper
and folding it away in his pocket, cx-
changing Il few words with the comman-
der Of the vessel, and making arrange
mcnts as to his luggage, he capcd into Il
small boat and was rowcd ashore. Not
ten hours had elapsed before he was
again at the feet of the princess.
Only a few words were intcrchangcd,
and her doom was sealed. There was no
obstacle IN the way; and she had shed
her last tear before thesportrait Of him
whom she loved even amid hatred. Two
months later the Princess Charlotte,
with simple ceremony, became tie Coun
tess d Aubaut.
How suddenly, at times, change falls
upon scene of Happiness and content
mcnt; and how unexpectedly the bitter
enters into the sweet. Only few brief
years had sealed the union of II loving
couple when Count dAubaut fell dan
gcrously i'll. There is no hope of IL
recovery" said the physician to the
faithful wife, +" save in a speedy return to
Europe" The princess-for surely for.
tune may not alter her rank was quick
to heed. Gathering together her all,