The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-03-15
The Emerald Ring,

Russian capital, fair young girl threw
herself upon the crimson cushions OF
the divan in the embrasure of large
window. Alarm and anxiety were de
picted ON her features, and she constant
ly' cIasped and unclasped her small
hands, and nervously arose and looked
out into the street, and then reseated
herself as if awaiting some painful in
telligence. 1t was the fair young
Natalie Radetski, the beauty of the Rus
sian court, upon which nature and for
tune had showered every gift, and for
whom even the stern features of the
Emperor, Nicholas would relax into
something like smile as he looked upon
her beauty and grace.
Hastily the door opened, and young
man advanced towards her. ..
"I am to bid you farewell, Natalie, "
he said, in q voice broken by emotion.
"Oh, Alexis what is it9" cried the
young girl. :,
81 have displeased the emperor, and
he has ordered my arrest.
"The emperor will pardon you-I
will 90 to him." said she. "He will not
refuse me. He has always been 80 kind
to me-"
"Alas my Natalie. He will refuse
you this. The emperor believes me
concerned in conspiracy, and he never
forgives. I am innocent, but he will
not believe it. / know not what is to
be done with me; but if I am sent to
Siberia -
"To Siberia Oh, Alexis it cannot
bet must not be !"
For q moment neither spoke. At
length, with a powerful effort at self,
control, the young man said: "Nataie,
let me place this ring upon your finger,
and promise me that you will wear il
always in memory of what my love has
been to you. The emperor will force
you to marry. I do not wish the
thought of me to make you always
wretched. =
He placed upon her finger ring, il
which was single emerald of great
brilliancy.
,"Do not take it off, nor read the in
scription, till you hear certainly that
have been banished," he said. A shivel
of horror ran through her frame, but h
went on, firmly "Then read it; i
will comfort you. Now must 60. Th'
emperor allowed me this interview, ant
the guards are awaiting me-"
He clasped her convulsively, to III
breast, kissed her brow and lips, an,
laying her gently upon the divan, passe
out. In the street the guards awaite
him. ....- s2s
4 The words OF her lover did not dete
/ Natalie from attempting to save hin
4 She sent a petition to the emperor, In
ploring an interview; but it was denie
her. She waylaid the empress.
"My poor child" said the empires!
kindly, II would gladly take you to th
4 emperor. even at the risk Of incurrin
4 his displeasure; but it is too late. Alex
4 Potemkiu has been sent to Siberia fc
life" ..
| Natalie heard her not.
Lift her up" said the empress, "sh
has tainted"
But Natalie had not tainted. Slowly
but resolutely, she rose, and making
gesture of respectful submission to th
empress, begged leave to retire.
When Natalie reached her own apar
ment, she drew from her finger the rim
that Alexis had placed upon it, and rea
he inscription carved upon the insid
IN French: Death is the only col
soler," it said. ave shall meet
hesvenl"
There is no place more dreary, MOI
terrible, even in Imagination, than th
mines Of Siberia
Among the condemned in q lare
quicksilver mine in the very heart OF th
| country, thousands Of versts from 8
| Petersburg, stopped at his daily toll
form whose tall and noble proportlol
even his coarse habit scarcely shroudee
His delicate frame, unused to labor, an
exposed to the rigor Of an Arctic cl
mate, soon yielded to the unhealthlne'
of his occupation; and he was fast SIM
ling under his trials. Yes, death woul
come, gentle death-and his heart leape
with momentary JOY.
The struggle was not long. a ie
days of confinement to q hard pallet,
View nights of suffering, and the ha
which even an imperial decree coul
not stop, went forth. The victim W.
released.
Three months after this, the gran
chamberlain of Russia presented mn
self before Mile. Radetski, and sun
moned her to the presence OF the en-
peror. :,
When conducted to the palace, n
majesty dismissed the gentleman
waiting, and signed her to approach
His stern features were contracted bya
expression of deep displeasure.
"Why does Mademoiselle Radets
wear mourninga" he said. "Does 81
mourn for conspirators who would su'
vert the government and bring destru
ton upon their country7"
"No, sire" she answered. 81 we,
> mourning for one whom your majes'
saw fit to condemn, but to whom, b
your express command, I promised m
hand" Il >,
"We will not discuss the past, /" =