Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1879-02-12

Napoleon took her hand in his, and
covering II With tears and Kisses,
!" Remember" said he, remember that
thou Art my betrothed, and that this
hand 70 mine, forever mine"
Saying which he put . ruby ring on
her A1ger.
"1tI. my mother's,' murmured he.
Matilda could only answer by pressing
the !4ns to her lips, then fell fainting
and 1Ds0late upon the couch.
NapeleDn DEPARTED His absence IA
cilitat6d che projects of the parents.
The general then made an appeal to
Matilda's devoted heart; he exaggerated
his poverty-he invented . tale about
debts ana engagements which he would
not be able to meet; he pointed out to
her The horrors which would surround
his miseIAble old are, beggsred and dis.
honoreds he ever limited to her that it
would b far better to cut short his
troubled life. She alone hsd power to
save him-she must forget Napoleon and
wed Tie Count de-, whose handsome
and manly face, whose noble soul she
we'll must know how to appreciate.
A. little sel6abness and Matilda would
have been saved; but IL is the weakness
of elevated minds not to shrink from sac
rificee. Matilda, in despair, threw her
self in her fathers arms and promised
oil. He blessed and thanked her for her
devoion.
He wa 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 q seat,
gave way to = food Of silent but bitter
tears.
Flow, fow, cruel tearsl Weep, thou
noble creature, upon thy dream 80
10 short-lived! Happiness, alas!
was never made for souls like thine!
The bsnns were published, and on the
10th OF January, 49,, in the church of
st. Thomas dAquinus, Matilda YVES
welded to the Count de -. The gen.
erals face WA radiant with satisfaction.
AT the moment of the nuptial blessing,
when the bridegroom puts en- the finger
of the bride the ring-symbOlic link Of
the chain that unites them-ipstead of
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
her hand; but Matilda drew it
back and again extended to him her
right hand, lowering her eyes, but with
that air OF firmne8 and determination
which il not to be mistaken. The count
saw III at once, and fearing a scene did
not ipsist but put the ring on her right
hand which Matilda still held out to him.
The count was Of q jealous nature, as
jealous as Othello. Afatal suspicion had
taken possession Of his mind. The ring
which Matilda wore on her left hand
gsve 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 that time, that which had pre-
viOusly only been a suspicion in the
counts mind became a certainty. He
upon being revenged, but
his feelings and purposes. "A
Of surveillance was organized
around Matilda. Soon there came a let
ter from Napoleon. The poor youth,
ignorant of Mati]da's sacrifice and the
ruin Of his dearest hopes, spoke of his
love, of his future happiness, of their
marriage. He reminded Matilda
her hand belonged to him, and he
requested her to look often upon the
ruby of his mothers ring whilst think
Of him. He concluded by announc-
inY . happy tiding. He was charged BY
biz ambassador to be the bearer Of i'm
dispatches to Paris. Before Q
month was over he would again zee his
beloved Matilda.
This letter was put into the counts
hands. He saw through all. He went
% Matilda's apartment with the open
letter in his hand, and, handing tito her,
said coolly:
at al imagine your scruples, but
why did you not explain yourself soon
erf You have sworn that your hand
will belong only to him! Very we'll! as
Boon IS he arrives | shall take it upon
myself to make your promise good"
added he, with a frightful smile.
Matilda did not:even shudder; she seem-
I'd tohave nothing else to fearupon earth.
In a short time Napoleon returned to.
but he was very much altered.
l3lief and despair had preyed upon his
heart, for he had heard Of his misfortune.
] The day after his arrival a small
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
. bl0ody hand-the hand of a woman
HAND! On q paper stained
with blood, he read these words: $50
doeethe Countess de - keep her word"
Roaring with rage and indignation, he
took his pistols and few to the counts
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
biz mothers ring on the doctors chain,
he had gone to that hall because a Sc
cret pressntiment had urgedhi j thither.
The next day DR.. Lisfranc and his
met in the wood of Yincennes.
The doctor received Z severe wound BE-
low the armpit. He lay long in danger,
but hopes we're entertained for recovery.
Before leaving his adversary, the doctor
to him the incidents OF that cruel
night on which he had been com PEELED
to commit q crim6 for the sake Of HUI
manity.
However" added he, Matilda could
not have suffered much, a sublime ex.
altation sustained her courage, and I am
she wei happy in her suffering, in
the thought that her hand, at least,
would be returned 10 yop. And when ii
was over I heard 4 gentle voice murmur-
ing from behind the curtain that hid
her from my dght: Tell him, Ibeseech
you, that my heart will 60 toward him
even as my hand Had L not been for
the ring, l could not have fulfilled her
wish"
Not Acquainted With Him.
Mr.. Robinson il an excellent magis.
trate, and NJ of the best men on the