Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-03-19

duchess and general alarmed for the in
terest of their children, and little,
also, for their own, played scene of
high comedy.
If my daughter" says the general,
"marries that poor devil, Napoleon,
adieu to luxury and pleasure"
al my son" soliloquized the duchess,
SHOULD wed q girl and not fortune,
how could we ever restore the lustre of
the noble house of --?'
The general, therefore, sought to
wean Matilda from her lover, and the
duchess exerted herself to divert Napo-
leon from thinking of Matilda. But
neither could succeed. Napoleon and
Matilda loved too sincerely, too devot-
edly, TO fall an easy prey to the snares
spread out TO trap their youth and mex
perience.
Unable to disunite them the general
ana the duchess insisted upon the de-
parture of Napoleon, and on his ab.
senting himself for a while from Paris.
They told him that the smallness Of
their fortune demanded it. 1t was IN
dispensabe for him to acquire posi-
ton in the world. The minister had
just offered to provide him with place
rs secretary to some foreign embassy.
Should he refuse to 60 he would shut
out himself from 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 happl-
ness. Napoleon at length unwilingly
consented.
He saw Matilda for last time; he
told her of his departure. A cry Of
agony burst from the young girls bos-
ON. In vain did Napoleon acquaint
her with his project; in vain did he en-
deavor to comfort her by pointing out,
in q speedy return, a whole life of love,
happiness and wealth. Matilda still re-
NAMED unconsolable. A dark fore
boding prevented her from believing
the false promises of an uncertain flu
turity. What could she gain in ex-
change for happiness which, AT present,
was theirs, and which they We're about
to sacrifice to their duty? 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. RE
member" said he. "remember that thou
art my betrothed, and that this hand is
mine, forever mine"
Saying which he put a ruby ring on
her finger.
at is my mothers" murmured he.
Matilda could only answer by pressing
the ring to her lips, then fell iainting
and desolate upon couch.
Napoleon departed. His absence IA
cilitated the projects of the parents.
The general then made an appeal to
Matilda's devoted heart. He exagger-
ated his poverty; he invented II 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 cat shor,
his troubled life. She alone had power
to safe him-she must forget Napoleon
and wed the Count de- whose hand
some and manly face, whose noble soul,
she well must know how to appreciate.
A little 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
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, ex-
haused with the struggle, she fastened
to her apartment, and, sinking on a
seat, gave way to flood of silent but
bitter tears.
Flow, flow, cruel tears! Weep, thou
noble creature, upon thy dream sc
bright, 50 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'Vyuinus, Matilda was
welded to the Count --. The gener-
ais face vas radient with satisfaction.
At the moment of the nuptlal bles-
sing, when the bridegroom puts on the
finger of the bride the rng-smybollc
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 hel
right hand The count was about tC
make an observation and take hel
hand; but Matilda drew it back and
again extended to him her right hand
lowering her eyes, but with that air OF
frmness and determination which is
not to be mistaken. The count saw il
at once, and fearing scene, did not in
sist, but put the ring on the right hand
which Matilda still held ont to him.
The count was of jealous nature, as
jealous AS Otheilo. A fatal suspicion
had taken possession of his mind. The
ring that Matilda Wnrp on her Left band