The daily gazette., 1879-12-31
n WIFES DETOTION.
BY. s. T. NJ.

II was during the progress of the war
1859 that the accident am about to re-
late occurred.
The Count de Brim)nt, young
nobleman scarcely five and twenty years
of age, had, with his wife, the bride of a
week, been taken prisoner and held in
close custody in town of Burgundy.
De BrimOnt belonged to one of the
oldest families in Nrance. was accom-
plished, enthusiastic, and exceedingly
handsome, and his wife was all that the
wife of such man should be in fact,
her hand had been solicited by no less
than five princes, but undazzled by the
brilliant future she might have secured,
she chose to ally her fortunes to her
hearts first choice.
Though prisoners, the young couple
we're treated with every courtesy, and
surroun led by every luxury, debarred
only of their liberty. About a month
after they had been taken captive, and
when in fact treaty depended upon
thu ir safe keeping until lis conclusion,
news reached De Brimont that his be-
loved mother was lying at the point oi
death, eager to see him once more before
she d parted. He represented the state
of things to the commander of the city
AID besought him by the affection he en-
tertained for his own mother, to send
him, accompanied by suitable quad
TO his parents death-bed. In vain
however, were his pleadings, too mucl
depended upon retaining him at present
in captivity, and the commander cour-
teously but firmly refused his prayer
De Brimont was in despair; he felt a!
though willing TO give the best years o
of his life to prison walls, so he coult
now spend an hour with his 50 dearl,
loved mother ere she went hence an,
was no more.
Nearly heart-broken, he once more re
newed his entreaties, and once more re-
ceived denial, when suddenly his youn,
wife appeared, and threw herself befor
| the feet of the commander. "Let hin
| 90 to his MOTHER" she said, "and keel
me here; fix upon day for his return
and if he is not here at the very hour lie
| me die"
"Upon these terms permit you t.
depart Unattended" the commando
said.
| At first De Brimont absolutely refuse,
to accept the offer; but upon the cage
persuasions of his wife, and the absolut
certainty of being able to return lon
before the day fixed, he at last consent
ed, and with many embraces bade adie
to his devoted wife.
He was obliged to travel many league.
but the horse he rode was good one
and by nightall of the day he set out h
reached bis ancestral home. He foun
| -. l.,a Ion Il,
deed, but the sight of her idolized so
appeared to revive her somewhat , an
she fingered on until evening of the da
Immediately preceding the one appoint
ed for his return.
De Brimont had only time to kiss he
cold lips and give hasty orders concerI
lag the funeral, and leaving her to b
followed to the grave by every relatiy
save the nearest and dearest, he set fort
on his return, having ample time to a
complish the distance, even allowing ft
serious delays.
He had proceeded about half way O
his journey, his mind absorbed in grit
on the one side at the loss OF his paren
and Joy ON the other at once more b,
holding his bride, when suddenly
was set upon by furious wolf of an e!
traordinary size, which darted out froI
wood that skirted one side of the higl
way. The ferocious beast first seize
the horse, and tore and mangled the poo
animal so terribly that DE Brimont W,
forced to dismount.
No sooner had he touched the groun,
and before he had time even for though
the wolf left his first prey and sprun
| nnna him and uonl6 oartainlv bo n
torn him limb from limb had he ne
with great presence Of mind seized I'll
animals tongue with one hand, an
with the other laid hold of one tf h
paws. After struggling while wit
the terrible creature, the tongue sliE
from his hold, and his right hand wa
fearfully msngled by the beast bu
notwithstanding the pain he was in, L
leapt upon the VOLTS back, and pressin
his knees hard into its sides, calle
/ aloud for succor. 1t was not for his ow
| life he fought, but for his poor wife
| Who can realize the terrible thought
that rushed through his mind durin
those feal ful moments to his own fat
he gave not thought, save so far as
affected that of his wife; he would pc
ish miserably on the road; the worl
would say he had purpOsely fled to som
other land, leaving a lovely and loviu
wife TO die for his cowardice and treacl
cry. AT length, however, TO his gre;
joy, his cries were answered, aud som
peasants appeared, but none Of thel
dared advance.
"Well, them" De Brimont cried, see
ing that entreaties were useless, an
perceiving that they carried guns, "fir'
if you Kill me l forgive you; only swe a
to me that one of you will hasten
B. and tell the commander how
died."
They all, with voice, made the requi
ed promise, and then one of them fire
but so terrified was he, that he on,
succeeded in sending three bulle
! through the brave young nobleman