The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-02-26

IOr US 10 pOlnJ them out, even by lnl-
tials), the young Matilda de - was
the daughter of one of the most illus
trious soldiers of the empire. Her
father had acquired an elevated place,
great glory and high rank in the
army; but he was one of the few gener-
ais whom the emperor had not enriched.
Matilda de- had, therefore, no for
tune to bestow upon the one who should
call her his.
Napoleon de - was the grandson of
the noble Duchess de -. The duch-
ess had q great name, an empty title,
but no fort une.
Notwithstanding this, the duchess and
the general, long bound together by the
ties of friendship, had mutually agreed
to unite their 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 the general, alarmed for
the interests OF their children, and a
little also for their own, played scene
of high comedy.
I" If my daughter, said the general,
"marries that poor fellow, Napoleon,
adieu to luxury and pleasure.
"If my son, soliloquized the duchess,
"should wed girl and not q fortune,
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 Napoleon from
thinking of Matilda. But neither could
succeed. Napoleon and Matilda loved
too sincerely, too devotedly, to fall an
easy prey to the snares spread out to
entrap their youth and inexperience.
Unable to disunite them, the general
and the duchess insisted upon the de-
parture OF Napoleon, and on his absent
ing himself for a while from Paris. They
told him that the smallness of their for
tune required it. It was indispensable
for him to acquire position in the
world. The minister had just offered to
provide him with place as secretary of
some foreign embassy. Should he re-
fuse to go he would shut himself out
from brilliant career. He must &C
complish this sacrifice, were it but for
Matilda's sake, as her future welfare
depended upon it, and he was to become
responsible for her happiness. Napo-
leon, at lsngth, unwillingly consented.
He saw Matilda for a last time; he
told her of his intended departure. A
cry of agony burst from the young girls
bosom. In vain did Napoleon acquaint
her with his projects; in vain did he
endeayor to comfort her by pOin iug out,
in speedy return, a whole life of love,
happiness and wealth. Matilda still
remained inconsolable. A dark fore
boding prevented her from believing
the false promises of an uncertain fu-
turity. What could she gain in ex.
change for happiness which at present
was theirs, and which they were about
to sacrifice to duty? She felt that her
golden dream was over; that it was fad
ing away from her sight.
Napoleon took her hand in his, and,
covering it with tears and kisses. " Re-
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.
"It is my mothers" murmured he
Matilda could only answer by pressing
the ring to her lips, and then fell faint
ing and desolate upon couch.
Napoleon departed. His absence ia
cilitated the objects of the parents.
The general then made an appeal to
Matilda's devoted heart; he exaggerated
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 surround his mis-
erable 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 we'd the
Count de -, whose handsome and
manly face, whose noble soul she we'll
must know how to appreciate.
A little seltishness, 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
ised 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
seat, gave way to food of silent but
bitter tears.
Flow, flow, cruel tears Weep thou
noble creature, upon thy dreams SC
} bright, 80 short-lived Happiness,
alas was never made for souls like
= thine
, The banns were published, and on the
10th of January, 18-, in the church ol
st. Thomas d'Aquinus, Matilda waf
welded to the Count de -. The
generals face was radiant with satisfac.
} tion.
At the 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-in-
! stead of giving her left hand, as is the
! custom, Matilda suddenly passed to
! the counts right and gave him
D her right hand. The count was
: abont to make an obearvatiOn