National Republican., 1879-12-26

work of ensnaring the young beiross, and
| finally in direct terms asked her 20 elope with
him. He wrote n note proposing q clandes-
tine meeting at ali hour when her father was
in the habit Of going out TO play whist with
some gentlemen of his acquaintance, and In
1t made tho suggestion that If she favored tho
proposition she wear in her belt rose as q
sign OF consent, Count Christian, having in-
tercepted the letter, took occasion soon after
toapproach Helen, and asked her to go out with
him, at the same time handing her flower,
remarking Put this IN your belt us an orna-
ment" She smilingly obeyed. In tho course
OF their walk they met Carl, who bowed, and
was oyerioyed to notice that Helen had carried
out his request.
The Count conducted his daughter TO the
residence of ono of their acquaintances, and
requested her 10 wait until ho called for hor.
That done, he returned TO the house he occu-
pied on the outskirts of Baden. He had sent
away bis servants, aud was alone. At tho ap-
pointed bour Carl arrived and leaped over the
garden wall. Finding tho door securely
closed, ho entered the house through one of
the windows. With pleasumble excitement
he hnstenod toward Helen's apartments but
great was his nstenlshinent e there nnd hcr
iutner armed with u brace of pistols. The
Count closed the door and said to tho misera-
bic chevalier;
Carl M, could kill you; I have tho
right to do So You have entered my house
at night; you have broken into 1t. / could
treat you as felon-nothing could be more
natural"
But, sir" replied Carl trembling, aud IN an
almost inaudiblo tone, ~ am not robber."
"Nota robberW exclaimed Count Christian.
Wat are you, then2 You have come to steal
my daughter, 70 steal an heiross and u for
tune. l have your criminal letter. l shull
show you no mercy. If you refuse to obey
me will slay you p
What Is your will, sir2"
You must leave Baden this instant; you
must put at least 200 leagues between IL and
you and never come into the presence of my
daughter. For your travelling expenses i will
give you 10000 francs"
Carl endeavorod to speak.
"SilenceW said tho Count in voice of
thunder "You must obey. In that secretary
is the money take it,"
The chevalicr ventured the remark per.
init me to decline your offer"
Tho falso modesty of the young man wac
promptly overcome by the imperious gesture
of the old man.
But" said Carl. the secretary is locked"
Break the lock, then" returned the Count,
and with his pistol in his hand he repeated,
Break IL, or I'll blow your brains out.'
Carl obeyed
1t is well" said tho old gentleman, those
bank notes are yours. Have you q pocket
book with anything identifying 1t as belong
ing to your"
"Yes."
"Thcn let it fall in front of tho secretary
which you have broken open."
What, sir2"
must have proof which will convict you.
mean to have all the evidences of burglary.
Robber or death Choose All, / SEQ your
choice is made. Now go before me. do not
quit you until You are league from Baden.
return late, and enter no complaint against
you until tomorrow noon. Begone"
Chevalier Carl could not resist the compul-
sorry order, and Count Christians plan was
carried out TO the very letter. Tho affair Gre
ated great noise and excitement. Helen could
no longer doubt MS to Carl's character, and it
was not long before his image was banished
from her heart, and that was in due time sur
rendered to one of her cousins, captain OF an
Austrian cavalry regiment.