The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-02-08


the world The minister had inst offared
to provide him with place. as secretary
to some foreign embassy. Should he re.
fuse to go he would shut out himself
from brilliant career. He must accom-
pllsh this sacrifice, were it but for Ma
tllda's sake; as her future welfare de-
pended upon it, and he was to become
responsible for her happiness. Napo-
leon 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 acquaint her with
his projects; in vain did he endeavor to
comfort her by pointing out,,in a speedy
return, whole life of love, happiness
and wealth. Matilda still remained in
consolable. A dark foreboding pre-
vented her believing the false promises
of an uncertain futurity. What could
she gain in exchange for happiness
which, at present, was theirs, and which
they were 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
covering it with tears and k Uses,
" Remember" 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.
g 1t is my mothers" murmured he.
Matilda could only answer by pressing
the ring to her lips, then fell fainting
and dosolate upon the couch.
Napoleon departed. His absence ia
cilltated the projects of the parents.
The general then made an appeal to
Matilda's devoted heart; he exaggerated
his poverty-he invented a tale about
debts and engagements which he would
not be able to meet; he pointed out to
her the horrors which would surround
his miserable old age, beggared and dis
honored; he even limited to her that it
would be far better te 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 appreciate.
A little selfshness and Matilda would
have been saved; but it is the weakness
of elevated minds not to shrink from sac
rifices. Matilda, in despair, threw her
self in her fathers arms and promised
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-
hausted with the struggle. He FASTENED
to her apartment, and, sinking on a seat,
gave way to a food of silent but bitter
tears.
Flow, flow, cruel tearsl Weep, thou
noble creature, upon thy dream so
bright, SO short-lived! Happiness, alas
was never made for souls like thinel
The banns were published, and on the
10th of January, lS--, in the church of
st. Tho mas d'Aquinus, Matilda was
welded to the Count de -. The gen
erals face was radiant with satisfaction.
At the moment of the nuptial blessing,
when the bridegroom puts on the finger
OF the bride the ring-symbolic link of
the chain that unites them-instead 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 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 it at once, and fearing a scene did
not insist but put the ring on her 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 on her left hand
gave him much uneasiness. He told Ma
tilda that he looked upon it with aver
sion and begged of her to wear it no
longer. Matilda replied that she would
never be separated from it, giving her
answer with much sweetness, but with
the same determined air which she had
shown at her wedding.
From thaG time, that which had pre-
viously only been suspicion in the
counts mind became a certainty. He
determined upon being revenged, but
dissembled his feelings and purposes. A
system Of surveillance was organized
around Matilda. Soon there came let
ter from Napoleon. The poor youth,
ignorant of MatiJda's sacrifice and the
ruin of his dearest hopes, spoke of his
love, of his future happiness, of their
speedy marriage. He reminded Matilda
that~her hand belonged to him, and he
requested her to look often upon the
ruby of his mothers ring whilst think
ing of him. He concluded by announc-
ing happy tiding. He was charged by
his ambassador to be the bearer of i'm
portant dispatches to Paris. Before a
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 Matilda's apartment with the open
letter in his hand, and, handing it to her,
said coolly:
I" l can imagine your scruples, but
why did you not explain yourself soon
er? You have sworn that your hand
will belong only to him! Very WELL as
soon as he arrives | shall take it upon
myself to make your promise good, :"
added he, with frightful smile.
Matilda did not,even shudder; she SEEM
ed to have nothing else to fear upon earth
In short time Napoleon returned to
Paris; 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 a small
ebony box was presented to him, which
had been brought by a servant in livery.
He opened it. His horror and his an
guish might more easily be imagined
than described. That casket contained
a bloody hand-the hand of a woman
MATILDA's HAND On paper stained
with blood, he read these words: $50
does the Countess de keep her word ;"