Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1876-11-17


members of the household We're approach
ing the ruins, he hastily said
"Mary of Mantua, against these three
princes simple gentleman. nobly born,
dares to contend for thee. Enough I!
Tomorrow, as you go to the city, take
not the common road, but turn to the
left at the Perrotti vineyard; the
Prince of Guastella is in the territory,
and may attempt to sieze you Mind
my counsel. aud if danger be near, there
will be shields to protect you Farewell.
Thus having spoken, he quickly de-
parted, and the agitated Mary returned
to her chamber, where she passed the night
in state Of wakelulness, from which
sleep would not take her, She
thought of the stranger and of her
situation, and she decided to follow his
advice. for already tho flame of soft
emotion had kindled in her bosom
On the morrow, she departed for
Mantua, but while directing the postil-
lion to take the by-road, a party of
horsemen rapidly approached on the
main road, which she no sooner perceiv-
ed than she suspected their design, She
was alarmed for moment. but the APP
pearance of another party plungiug
through wood. the gallant stranger
foremost, allayed her fears, and while a
short but animated skirmish was taking
place, the result of which she could not
ascertain, tho carriage rolled safely along
until it arrived at the courtyard of her
uncle's abiding-place.
| She had not seen the Duke Vinconzo
for many years, and, very naturally, she
had enormously imagined his person as
ill-fayored as she knew his character to be
despicable. The interview gave to the
married and aged Duke more hope than he
had anticipated, and he now thought his
divorce from his wife only procured,
and dispensation obtained, that his
brothers child would become his bride,
and thus for ever set at rest all the con-
tending claims on Mantua and Mont
ferrat. Having been informed of the
attack upon the carriage. the Duke
ordered an extra guard to attend Mary
back to her uncle Ferdinand, having in
formed her that as soon as the divorce
should be granted. the new nuptials
, should take place. Mary's manner had
deceived him. She at heart preferred
death to such wedlock.
! A day after her return home, when
she stood again at the tomb Of hen
, mother, at the evening hour, came The
| stranger. Long and tender was the
J communion of those two souls, and whel
: he departed, not again to ace Mary fol
three months. then, for the first time
! did the girl know that she deeply loved
: and melancholy stole upon her spirit
9 from which, in vain, she endeavored t.
i be free. He had promised, nay, he hae
G sworn, in three months, to a day, to th,
hour, to make Mary his bride or die.
: Three months passed away, and al
: fears of the nuptials with the old Duk,
were at an end, for Vincenzo was on hi
f death-bed, and Mary at his castle, b.
t the Dukes orders, was to be given il
marriage to the young Duke of Rhetel
t son of the Duke of Neyero, the mex
. heir to the coronet of Mantua, for it was
the best policy-that guide of govern
, ments-that all claims to that duchy and
Montferrat, should unite in one race
The young Duke was already in Mantua
to add to the pangs of the unhappy
, Mary, and she resolved rather to die than
to yield herself to one whom she had
never seen, and was bound not to love.
On cloth of gold, upon an immense
couch, lay the dying Duke Vincenzo,
who now gave orders that if Mary would
not willingly, she must by force be
united to the Duke of Rhetel. Ia tho
adjacent hall, Mary heard the directions,
and she now only hoped to save herself
from the sacrifice, by an appeal to the
honor Of the knight. If that failed, she
had more desperate safeguard While
the door Of the great hall stood ajar, she
heard gentle voice, saying, Let me
speak to her," and presently came forth
? a man arrayed in splendid garments
Mary but looked in his face:
"Wby came you not before z" she
cried, and fell upon his breast
Listen, Mary" he said, '.evcn nov
the turret clock tells the hour Thy
cousin, Charles Of Gonzaga--is here.
Thou art his bride, or lie dies Thou
shalt love him Duke Of Rheteln
The oonfding Mary of Maptua leaned
upon his arm, and, followed by the at.
PENDANTS, entered the ball, at the end o.
which an altar had been placed for the
nuptial ceremony, and the happy pain
were united. There was death and a
bridal in that in that hour.