The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-03-15
for a different purpose. l have chosen
husband for you"

tOf 0ueIeut pui PoSo' LAW oN
husband for you"
"Mercy, sire |" exclaimed Natalie,
clasping her hands, imploringly. "Do
not force me to marry" -.
"Force, mademoiselle! that Is AN
ugly word. I, your emperor, recon-
mend your acceptance of the suit OF
Young nobIeman of high rank There
are reasons of state which make me ex-
pressly desire this marriage. And,
Natalie" he added, his harsh tone and
manner softening visibly, "grief
should not be eternal. Life is not given
us to waste in idle sorrow for what Is
irremediable and new ties will bring
you solace, and, in time, happiness.
As she pressed her hands to her
bosom, in momentary spasm OF pain,
he observed the gittering emerald that
enriched her finger.
$50 splendid jewel is hardly beft-
ting a mourning garb, mademoiselle.
May | see the ring''. ,..,-
"Ycur majesty will rot take it from
me 2" :, ~ ~..,:
"Iwil return it" replied the en-
peror, as he examined the inscription.
"Death, the consoler |" he murmured
to himself. Yes, death is the great
healer and comforter. y"
His rigid features relaxed into an e1-
preston of deep piety as he remarked
her wasted appearance and pallid fea-
lures; but nothing of this Was percepti-
BILE in his tone as he said: "It is my
will, mademoiselle, that you should be
married a month from this day. The
time will come when you will thank me
for this decision. You can now retire. "
As soon as Natalie had left, the en-
peror rang his bell for DR.. Seckendorf,
his favorite physician.
"Seokendorf," said the czar, ego
and see Mademoiselle Radetski. Find
out if she has any organic disease. Re.
turn here and report, but say nothing OF
what you observe to any one else"
In few hours DR.. Seckendorf was
again admitted to the presence OF the
czar. .....
"How is your patient inquired
Nicholas.
81 fear very i'll, your majesty. She
has aneurism of the heart"
"Is there any Immediate dangera"
! "There may not be, if she is not e1-
cited. But violent agitation or grief
may prove fatal"
"What has caused the diseasea"
"Her constitution has always been
frail; but T think - here he hesitated.
"Say out what you Think" said the
car, impatiently.
"Then, with your majesty's permis-
sion, I think that the sentence of Count
Potemkin was her death blow"
The czar paced his cabinet impatient
ly. ;"She will get over it, Seckendorf.
A happy marriage will make her forget
al that. There is nothing like happi-
ness for woman's health"
."I do not presume to contradict your
majesty, but I doubt whether Mademoi-
selle Radetski is able to bear either hap
piness or sorrow very long"
The emperor dismissed his physician
after enjoining him to visit his patient
daily. In the meantime the preparations
for the marriage went on. A costly
trousseau was provided for the bride,
and all the beauty and rank OF the capl
tai invited. The emperor himself was
to grace the ceremony with his pres
ence.
But still DR.. Seckendorf visited his
patient, and his face grew grave as he
looked at her.
One morning he reached her mansion
ut later hour than usual. Her attend
ants informed him that their mistress
had not yet rang her bell, and they hest
tated to disturb her. He went at once
to her apartment. The attendants drew
aside the curtains of the bed. With one
hand supporting her head, which rested
upon the pillow, lay the pale sleeper,
less brilliantly beautiful than w!.en
with proud step and careless grace, she
trod the gorgeous salons of the capital
but far more lovely.
Death, the consoler, had stopped te
I kiss his victim, aud had not disturbed
the peaceful smile that rested on hel
lips. In her hand she held the ring
which she had taken from her finger
and she bad passed away while reading
it's inscription.
Gently Seckendorf replaced it upol
the marble finger, from which it wa
never more to be taken.
Truly" he murmured, for her
death is the consoler.