New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-17

At the same time the countess and the
physician played bold game. A sham
burial was originated. A wax figure, skili-
fully moulded, was placed in a coffin, which,
while the bells were tolling, was hurried
away and consigned to a sepulchre in the
Church of st. Peter and Paul. There were
but few mOurners, and the ceremony was
brief. false announcement was speeded
to the capitol, aud no one, in the excitement
of the hour, paused even to give it reflec.
ton.
At the proper season the Princess, having
recovered and regained sufficient strength,
proceeded to Strasburg, and thence to
PARIS. Here she disposed OF her jewelry
and, in company with Swiss emigrants, set
sail for America. She arrived at New Or
leans, where she was recognized and sa-
luted by Count d'Aubaut, member of the
French diplomatic service, who had for
merly known her well, and, we may add,
become enamored of her at st. Peters burg
The count WAS q handsome fellow, but
very Shy. He had not the courage, even
when confident that some unknown cause
had estranged her from her husband, TO
ingratiate himself in the Princess favor.
But day and night he was haunted by her
matchless beauty. and yet circumstances
compelled them to remain longer apart.
After awhile the Princess, still regarding
her Swiss companions as in one sense her
guides, followed them from their first land
ing in New Orleans to place fifty miles
up the river Here she purchased q small
plantation, and, with the help of others,
planned to cultivate it. Count d'Aubaut
had not ceased to dog her footsteps. Wher-
ever she went he pursued, until bright
idea entered into bis mind.
Having assured himself of her determine
ton to remain always in America, the
Count fastened back to New Orleans, and
from the Governor General, who was his
near relative, obtained a perpetual owner.
ship of a large tract OF land bordering on
the Mississippi, together with release from
his diplomatic service.
This tract of land happened to adjoin the
estate of the Princess Charlotte; and. hav-
ing erected Il small dwelling for himself, he
looked forward to the day when percnance
fortune might permit him to enlarge it for
the reception of his idol.
The days and the weeks passed by, and
the Count had succeeded in winning tho
friendship of the Princess. This friendship
daily became more intimate, and, while the
Princess no longer hesitatea to disclose the
story of her mistortunes, the Count be-
came most sincere in his expression of SYM
pathy. He was not blind to perceive that
his own eminently handsome appearance,
his perfect and graceful manners and his
fine culture made a deep impression upon
the heart of the lonely lady; and the cour-
tesy and confidence with which she always
received him made him bold to sue tor her
heart and hand. But no; she reso,utely re
fused any offer Of marriage.
Count d'Auoaut was in despair, and to
tarry longer in the presence of one wnom
he could not claim as his own was death
itself. Abandoning his estate, and bidding
farewell to the princess, he returned to
New Orleans, where he engaged passage on
board vessel bound for Marselles. In
less than an hour the ship was to sail, and
the count had already ended his prepare
tions for departure. With all idle turn of
mind he paced to and fro upon the deck;
small package lay there, on which a half
sheet of newspaper, the Merc.Te Nolian-
dos. OF the year l7lS. had been placed by
some strange hand. His eyes dropped, and
rested for d moment on fatefu para
graph; and there he read, as one not sor.
rowful, of the death of the Grand Duke
Alexis at ST. Petersburg,
1t is easier TO imagine his feelings than TO
describe them. Grasping the paper and
folding it away in his pocket, exchanging
lew words with the commander of the yes
sci, and making ARRANGEMENTS as to his
luggage, he leaped into small boat and
was rowed ashore. Not ten hours had
elapsed before he was again at the feet of
the princess.
Only few words were interchanged and
her doom was scaled. There was no OBJ
stacle in the way; and she had shed her last
tear before the portrait of him whom she
loved even amid hatred. Two months
later the Princess Charlotte, with simple
became the Countess d'Aubaut.
How suddenly at times change falls
upon a scene of happiness and contentment;
and how unexpectedly ths bitter enters
the ONLY fa hriaF bnl
sealed the union of a loving couple when
Count dAubaut fell dangerously i'll. "There
Is no hope OF recovery" said the physi-
clan to the faithful wife, ''saye in speedy
return to Europe" The prncess-for sure.
ly fortune may not alter her rank was
quick to heed. Gathering together her all,
she, her husband and their little daughter,
sailed first to LIE Havre and thence to Paris.
AT Paris she lived in the utmost retire.
ment, nursing her husband and caring ten
derby for her child. Occasionally she would
wander unattended through the garden of
the Tuileries, without disclosing either her
name or her singular fortune. One day,
during one of these solitary promenades,
she was unexpectedly joined by her daugh-
ter. to WHOM she addressed few words in
German. A gentleman who happened to be
passing by was thus attracted to her. For
a single instant their eyes met, and she
knew that her secret was discovered, for
the gentleman was no other than Count
Maurice, OF Saxony, temporarily sojourning
in Paris.
She could not prevent him from address.
ing her by her own name, nor refuse his
to her own humble lodgings. But
she exacted his promise not to betray her
secret to any one before three months
should have elapsed.
Once q week Count Maurice found him
self at the abode of the princess, to whom
he was in the habit of bringing sundry good
things for her happiness. AT last, however,
he found during one of his visits no need of
calling again. The whole family, ''tempted
of the devil" said Count Maurice, had fed
to parts unknown! Half in anger and half
in despair, the Count discovered the prin-
cess secret to King Louis XIV, who at
Queen of Hungary, the eldest daughter of
Duke Louis OF Brunswick. In this missiy-
he assured her of the safety of her sister,
and added, "The King will not prove chary
OF his best services to induce the princess,
who seems to have been pursued by some
ill-fortune, to return to that family which
has so long mourned her decease"
l know not what confidential method the
King resorted to to insure the fulfillment of
his promise. But certain it is that, when
the Count d Aubaut and his wife were again
discovered by the officials of his majesty.
it was not in France. but in Louisiana!
They had returned thither in vessel sail
ing direct from Nantes.
After long intercessiOn the couple were
induced by the Governor General to repair,
on board Dntch vessel, to the Isle OF
Bourbon, where they resided for many
years. In l75l the Count was removed by
an epidemic fever, and his death was soon
followed by that of his child.
In the succeeding autumn, l775, the
widow, whose Gun of sorrow was now f;lled