New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-08-06

are too illustrious and too well known,
for us to point them out, even by ini-
.tials) the young Matilda de was
the daughter Of onezOf the most illus
trious soldiers of the Empire. Her
father had acquired an elevated rank,
great glory and . high station in the
army; but he was one Of the few Gem
erals whom the Emperor had not en-
riched. Matilda de had, therefore,
no fortune to bestow upon the one who
should call her his.
Napoleon de was the grandson
Of the noble Duchess de The
Duchess had great name, an empty
title, but no fortune.
Notwithstanding this, the Duchess
and the General, long bound together
by the ties Of friendship. had mutually
agreed to unite the two children in
marriage.
Of this determination, however, they
soon repented. While Matilda and Ma
poleon gave themselves up to the sweet
charm Of their mutual affection, the
Duchess and General, alarmed for the
interest of their children, and 3 little,
also. for their own, played q scene Of
high comedy.
eff my daughter " says the General,
"marries that poor devil, Napoleon,
alden to luxury and pleasure. .
# my son, soliloquized the Ouch
ess, :. should wed q girl and not for
tune, how could we ever restore the
luster Of the noble house Of
The General, therefore, sought to
wean Matilda from her lover, and the
Duchess exerted herself to divert Ma
poleon from thinking of Matilda. But
neither could succeed. Napoleon and
Matilda loved too sincerely, too de-
votedly, to fall an easy prey to the
snares spread out to trap their youth
and inexperience.
Unable to disun.te them, the General
and the Duchess insisted upon the de-
parture of Napoleon, and on his alb
senting himself for while from Paris.
He told him that the smallness of their
fortune demanded it. Itwas. indispen-
sable for him to acquire q position in
the world. The Minister had Just
offered to provide him with q place
as Secretary to some foreign Embassy.
Should he refuse to go he would shut
out himself from q brilliant career.
He must accomplish this sacrifice, were
it but for Matilda's sake as her future
welfare depended upon it, and he was
to become responsible for her happi-
ness, Napoleon at length unwillingly
consented.
He saw Matilda for last time; he
told her of his departure. A cry of
agony burst from the young girls
bosom. In vain did Napoleon acq1aint
her with his projects in vain did he
endeavor to comfort her by pointing
out, in speedy return. whole life OF
love, happiness and wealth. Matilda
still remained unconsolable. A dark
foreboding prevented her from believ-
ing the false promises of an uncertain
futurity. What could she gain in ex-
change for happiness which. at present.
was theirs, and which they were about
to sacrifice to their dutyp She felt that
her golden dream was over that it
was fading away from her sight.
Napoleon took her hand in his, and
covered it with tears and kisses. ERE
member" said he, :. remember that
thou art my betrothed, and that this
hand is mine, forever mine.''
Saying which he put ruby ring on
her finger.
1T is my mother's," murmured he.
Matilda could only answer by pressing
the ring to her lips, then fell fainting
and desOlate upon q couch.
Napoleon departed. His absence
facilitated the projects of the parents.
The General then made an appeal to
Matilda's devoted heart; he exagger-
ated his poverty he invented tale
about debts and engagements which he
would not be able to meet; he pointed
out to her the horrors which would sur
round his miserable old age, beggared
and dishonored; he even limited to her
that it would be far better to cut short
his troubled life. She alone had power
to save him-she must forget Napoleon
and wed the Count de -, whose
handsome and manly face, whose noble
soul she we'll must know how to appre-
ciate.
Aittle selfshness and Matilda would
have been saved; but it is the weakness
of elevated minds not to shrink from
sacrifices. Matilda, in despair, threw
herself in her fathers arms and prom
Used all. He blessed and thanked her
for her devotion. &.
He was yet speaking when Matilda
had left the room, unable longer to con-,
troll her Overcharged feelings. Pale,
exhausted with the struggle, she has
tened to her apartment, and, sinking on
9 seat, gave way to flood of silent
but bitter tears.
Flow, flow, cruel tears! Weep, thou
noble creature, upon thy dream SO
bright, so short-lived! Happiness.
alas! was never made for souls like
thine!
The banns were published, and on
the 10th of January, IS in the Church
OF Thomas d'Aquinus, Matilda was
welded to the Count de The
Generals face was radiant with salts.
faction.
At tho moment Of the nuptial bless
ing, when the bridegroom puts on the
finger OF the bride The ring -symbolic
link Of the chain that unites them LIN
stead OF giving her left hand, as is The
custom, Matilda suddenly passed to
the Counts right and gave him her
right hand. The Count was about to
make an observation and take her left
hand; but Matilda drew it back and
again extended to him her right hand,
lowering her eyes. but with that air.
OF firmness and determination which
is not to be mistaken. The Count saw
It at once. and, fearing scene, did not
insist, but put the ring on the right
hand, which Matilda still held ont to
him. &
The Count was Of . jealous nature,
as jealous as Othello. a fatal suspi-
cion had taken possession of his mind.
The ring that Matilda wore on her left
hand gave him much uneasiness. He
told Matilda that he looked upon it
with aversion, and legged her to wear
II no longer. Matilda replied that she
would never be separated from it, Civ
ing her answer with much sweetness,
but with the same determined air
~