The Van Buren press., 1878-04-02
VAN buren,, ARK, APRIL 2, 1878.

u uoDie ot EiauCc bHOulu Ue sut1cleutly
enamored OF q peasant girl to submit to
the constraint of mystery and the harass
and trouble Of nightly and dangerous in
terviews. But Mlanetta is not one OF
those women who yield easily, nor Is she
one whose influence can be easily sha
ken off.
81 think know her character" nd
died.
"Oh, no. You never can know tie
deep well of love and energetic feeling in
the heart Of that young creature You
could never know that in yielding to the
passion which possessed her, and which
| shared, she has never passed one day
without weeping for her guilt, even in
our tenderest meetings She has risked
every thing to see me and to love me in
\ secyet---and new you have the object of
her nocturnal journeys, which she would
| have had to blush for the confession, and
lest public declaration made to her
Judge should come to the ears of her
father. To prevent this, she would have
died without opening her lips. Now. my
lord, have said sufficient to convince
you that she is unjustly condemned. You
are absolute here ask her pardon Of
you, and feel assured that you will gladly
eoncede it,
The marquis language, the loves he
confessed, and Milanetta's passion for
him, of which he boosted so proudly and
fervently, threw me into rage and despair.
Ideas of vengeance and blood rushed
through my brain till | grew giddy.
Without O consciousness OF what was
doing, or going TO do, rang the bell
impatiently, and ordered Milanetta to be
brought Immediately before me.
do not let her see me r cried the
marquis; let her not be made acquainted
with what have done! II she learned
that it was to me she owed her life, her
feelings toward me would be absorbed in
gratitude, and it is her love only that
DESIRE
This expression increased my frenzy,
while the marquis, who was nearly AZ
much agitated as was, did not perceive
my emotion. He only heard the sound
of steps in the corridor. and, thinking
that it was Mlanetta who approached,
he asked me where he could conceal him
self. Ipointed to the door of my closet
and the moment it closed on him. Milan
eta came into the hall. For minute
was speechless, overcome with transports
of envy and passion. Milanetta turned
away from the fierce expression Of my
features. With hoarse voice shouted
: know yonr lover, new; am no long
er ignorant who 1t is yon prefer to me.
He has come to solicit your pardon. The
Marquis de Clairval has cleared you Of
the charge of smuggling but has &C.
kno wledged that you are bis annie"
-ss-' -. ~ - e-.i";.~od "has tho Mas
quis been here ?"
"He is here still, Milanetta."
"What, here here in your power ? Oh !!
spare him, my lord, spare him. 1t is
only who have deserved your vengeance
death is my portion; but for him
Eyes, scoruful girl! Death for you !!
He has asked for mercy for you-he has
come to ask me to place you again in his
arms but will give you TO the execu-
toner, and your lover shall witness
The marquis flung open the door with
violence, had quite forgotten that he
was there, and he had heard every word
spoke. At his appearance Milanetta
uttered one despairing shrek, while l
looked at them both vindictively. He
beckoned me aside, and said with low
voice: "My lord count, you are gen.
tleman by birth, but you have disgraced
your name and rank. Among people of
our station the sword 10 the only arbiter,
and the injuries of jealousy or love are
settled by that appeal. 1t is not by hang
ing Milanetta that you should revenge
yourself when you have the opportunity
as a gentleman of fighting me-"
what! Would you accept chal
lenge?"
This very instant"
"But you know the strict laws against
duelling, and the rigorous strictness with
which both kings exact the penalty 7"
81 know very well that in France and
Spain the duelist is punished by the for
Of his estates; that his shield 10 defaced
and his coat OF arms burned, and that il
his enemy is killed he is beheaded; but
hate you now as strongly asyou can hate
me, and to hold my swords point to
your heart would face every peril and
every disgrace! -,
"To-w orrow, then, at daybreak. ! will
be at Venasque with second"
"Be it so. And now sign Mianettas
pardon
"Her pardonv'
at is the first and only condition of
our meeting
signed it, and handed it to Milenctta,
who refused to take it.
"What will it avail me- said She
"when my father knows the secret OF my
nocturnal journeys When he questions
me, what answer can give himl If
tel him the truth lie will kill me on the
spot"
XIII you, Milanetta p
ale is only smuggler or bandit in
your eyes; but this bandit is as jealous
of his daughters honor as any peer Of
France or grandee OF Spain. He will kill
me, tell you, and would prefer dying
by the executioner's hand to his"
Next morning, before the sun rose,
was at the very extremity Of the Spanish
frontier, and the marquis made his APP
pearance almost as soon. He brought
his second, but had forgotten to bring
one. A man on horseback was passing
within few PAGES of US. | called to him
o,J aek al hin, IL bo would hacn,ra m 4,