The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-20

Matlldas devoted heart: he exaggerate
his poverty-he invented tale abou
debts and engagements which he woul
not be able to meet; he pointed out to he
, the horrors which would surround his mis-
cradle old age, beggared and dishonored
he even limited to her that it would be ia
better to cut short his troubled life. Sh
alone had power to save him-she mus
forget. Napoleon and wed the Count d
I",whose handsome and manly face
whose noble soul she well must know how
to appreciate.
| A little selfshnes and Matilda had lief
the room, unable to control her over
charged feelings. Pale, exhausted will
the struggle, she fastened to her apart
ment, and sinking on a seat, gave way t,
flood Of silent but bitter tears.
Flow, flow. cruel tears! Weep, though
noble creature, upon thy dream so bright
so short-lived! Happiness. alas, was neve
made for souls like thine.
The banns were published, and on tn,
10th Of January, lS-,in the Church of st
Thomas d 'Aquinas, Matilda was weddet
to the Count de. The Generals fac,
was radiant with satisfaction.
At the moment of the nuptial blessing
when the bridegroom puts on the finger O
bride the ring-symbolic link of the chair
that unltes them-instead of giving hel
left hand, as the custom. Matilda sud
denly passed to the Counts right ant
gave hum her right hand. The Coun
was about to make an observation and
take her hand; but Matilda drew it back
and again extended to him her rIggt hand
lowering her eyes, but with that ar Of
6rmness and determination which Is moi
to be mistaken. The Count saw IT a,
once, and, fearing scene. did not insist,
but put the ring on the right hand which
! Matilda still held out to him.
The Count was of jealous nature. as
jealous as Othello. A fatal suspicion had
taken possession Of his mind. The ring
which Matilda wore oh her left hand
gave him much uneasiness. He told Ma.
tilda that he looked upon it with aversion.
and begged of her to wear it no longer.
Matilda replied that she would never be
separated from 1t, giving her answer with
much sweetness, but with the same deter
mined air which she had shown at her
wedding.
Fromthat time that which had previously
only been suspicion in the Counts mind
became certainty. He determined upon be-
ing revenged, butdissemblhis feelings and
purposes. A system of surveillance was or
organized around Matilda. Soon there came
a letter from Napoleon. The poor youth, ig-
Ignorant of Matilda's sacrifice and the rum
of his dearest hopes, spoke of his love, Of
his future happiness, of their speedy mar
riage. He reminded Matilda that her
hand belonged to him. and he requested
her to look often upon the ruby of his
mothers ring while thinking of him. He
concluded by announcing happy tidIng.
He was charged by his ambassador to the
bearer Of important dispatches to Paris.
Before month was over he would again
see his beloved Matilda.
This letter was put into the Counts
hands. He saw through all. He went to
Matllda'c apartment with the open letter
in his hand, and, handing it to her, said
coolly:
81 can imagine your scruples. but why
did you not explain yourself sooner? You
have sworn that your hand will belong
only to him. Very well! as soon as he
arrives shall take it upon myselfto make
your promise good" added he, with a
frightful smile.
Matilda did not even shudder-she
seemed to have nothing more to fear upon
earth.
In short time Napoleon returned to
Parls; but he was very much altered.
Grief and despair had preyed upon his
heart, for he had heard of his misfortune
The day after his arrival small ebony
box was presented to him, which had been
brought by servant in delivery. He open
ed 1t. His horror and his anguish might
more easily be imagined than described.
The casket contained a bloody hand-the
hand of woman-MATILDA's HAND! On
paper, stained with blood, he read these
words: $50 does the Countess de-
keep her word" Roaring with rage and
indignation he took his pistols and flew to
the Counts house.
The Count and Matilda had disappear
ed during the night, a few hours after the
bloody deed, and no one knew whence
they had gone.
On the night Napoleon had recognized
his mother S ring on the doctor chain. he
had gone to the ball because secret pre-
sentiment had urged him thlther.
The next day DIR. Lisfranc and his an
tagonist met in the woods o. Vincennes.
The doctor received n severe W ound below !
the armpit. He lay long in d niger, but |
hopes were entertained for recovery. Be
fore leaving his adversary the doctor re-
lated to him the incidents on that cruel |
night on which he had been compelled to |
crime for the sake of humanity. |
However" added he, Matilda could |
not have suffered much; sublime exalta-
ton sustained her courage. and am sure
she was happy in her suffering in the
thought that her hand at least, would be
TO you. And wher it was over |
heard a gentle voice murmuring from be-
hind The curtain that hid her from nv
sight: Tell him, beseech you. that my
heart will go toward you even as nv hand.
Had 1t not been tor the ring | could not
nave fulfilled her wish"