The Van Buren press., 1876-06-13
MISCELLANY.
The Emerald Ring.

disan in the embrasure of large win
dow Alarm and anxiety were depicted
on her features, and she constantly CLASH.
ed ana nnclasped her small hands. aud
nervously arose and looked out into the
street, and then reseated herself as II
awaiting some painful intelligence II
was the fair young Natalie Radetski, the
beauty of the Russian court. upon which
nature aud fortune had showered every
gift, aud for whom even the stern features
ofthe Emperor Nicholas would relax Ia
to something like smile as he looked
upon her beauty and grace.
Hastily the door opened, and = .foune
man advanced towards her.
II am to bid you farewell, Natalie, %
he said, in voice broken by emotion
"Oh, Alexis what is III" cried the
young girl.
II have displeassd the emperor, and
he has ordered my arrest
"The emperor will pardon you'll will
go to him." said she. "He will not re.
fuse me. He has always been 90 kind to
me-"
"Alas! my Natalie. He will refuse
you this. The emperor believes me con
cerned in conspiracy, and he never for.
gives. am innocent, hut he will not be-
lieve it, l know not what is to be done
with me but if | am sent to S bera'--
ITO Siberia! Oh, Alexis! 1t cannot
bet must not bet
For moment neither spoke. Atlength
with powerful effort at self. control, the
young man said " Natalie, let mt place
this ring upon your finger, and promise
me that you will wear it always in men,
ory of what my love has been to you,
The emperor will force you to marry.
| do not wish the thought of me to make
you always wretched."
He placed upon her finger ring, in
which was single emerald Of great bril-
!iancy.
"Do not take it of, nor read the in.
scription, till you hear certainly that
have been banished," he said A SILVER
of horror ran through her frame, but he
went on firmly: " Then read it; it will
comfort you Now mustgo. The em.
peror allowed me this interview, and the
guards are awaiting me-"
He clasped her convulsiyely to his
breast, kissed her brow aud lips. aud
laying her gently upon the divan, passed
out, In tue street the guards awaited
him.
The words of her lover did not deter
Natalie from attempting to save him.
She sent petition to the emperor, i'm
nloring All interview \ sb,,t it, swas 1iss.iad
her, She waylaid the empress,
| ~ NJ AZ ..httA " eatl ti.o
kindly, Il would gladly take you to the
emperor, even at the risk ofincurrine his
displeasure; butt is too late. Alexis
Potemkin has been sent to Siberia for
life."
Natalie heard her not.
Lift her up," said the empress, "she
has tainted"
But Natalie had not tainted Slowly,
but resolutely, she rose, and making a
gesture of respectful submission TO the
empress, begged leave to retire.
When Natalie reached her own apart
ment, she drew from her finger the ring
that Alexis had placed upon 1t, and read
the inscription carved upon the inside in
French: :. Death is the only consider"
it said. 1--WE shall meet in heavenr
There is no place more dreary, more
terrible, even in Imagination, than the
mines of Siberia
Among the condemned in large quick
silver nine in the very heart OF the coun.
try, thousands of versts from st. Peters
burg, stopped at his daily toll form
whose tall and noble proportions even his
coarse habit scarcely shrouded. His del
icate frame, unused to labor, and expos.
ed to the rigor OF IN Artic climate, soon
yielded to the unhealthiness Of his occu-
patton; and he was fast sinking under his
trials. Yes, death would come. gentle
death and his heart leaped with mo-
mentary joy.
The struggle was not !long. A few
days Of confinement to hard pallet, a
few nights of suffering and the fiat, which
even an imperial decree could not stop,
went forth. The victim was released
Three months alter this, the grand
chamberlain of Russia presented himself
before Mile. Radetski, and summoned her
to the pi essence Of the emperor.
When conducted to the palace. his
majesty dismissed the gentleman iswat
| luSs ctkuCA w oRPsooNu, LAO
stern features were contracted by an ex
preston Of deep displeasure.
"Why does Madcmoiselle Radetsk
wear mourningf" he said. "Does she
mourn for conspirators who would sub.
vert the government and bring destruc-
tion upon their country"
mo sire" she answered. 81 wear
mourning for one whom your majesty
saw fit to condemn, but to whom, by
your express command, l promised my
my hand.
"We will not discuss the past replied
the czar, coldly. II sent for you for a
different purpose, have chosen hus-
band for you"
Mercy, sire" exclaimed Natalie,
clasping her hands, imploringly. DO
not force me to marry"
Force, mademoiselle that is an ugly
word. /, your emperor, recommend
your acceptance of the suit of young
nobeman OF high rank. There are rea-
sons of state which make me expressly
desire this marriage. And Natalie" he
added, his harsh tone and manner soft.
enn vsibly," grief should not be eter-
nal, Life is not given US to waste in idle
sorrow for what is irremediablc and new
ties will bring you soace, and, in time,