The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-10-08

in her most violent anger against the
count, would never be able to betray
your majesty"
"You hear, Pietri?" said Napoleon.
81 shall be happy if it be 80"
1T is 80, your majesty" cried Count
Lehon. Some must convince ones self
l, myself, will hasten to my mother, il
your majesty permit me-.
"The affair il too serious, sire, said
Pietri, "to allow any intercourse with
the countess until she il freed from the
suspicion that rests on her. lam police
project, sire. To me every one, even
Count Lehon, must appear under sus-
picion. until the contrary is proved"
"You hear" said Napoleon, kindly,
to the young count, who cast II glance
full of terror Mt the police project. He
il NJ cold as ice. He must beso. Well,
| will keep You here, myself, III hostage,
till the matter, is settled. Write, here
1T my table, to your mother, and beg her
To settle the matter on your account, be-
cause pride and anger might perhaps,
otherwise prevent her from doing 3d."
Immediately, immediately" ex-
claimed the count. "Oh, how gracious
your majesty il! How can | ever thank
you for such consideration ?"
He went to the emperors writing desk
and wrote Il few lines, which lac gave ia
the police project, who then went away.
Napoleon invited the young man to take
n place by his side, and, with captivating
amiability, absorbed him in conversi,-
ton, which made him almost forget the
painful situation in which he found him.
self. NJ. Pictri drove back to the hotel
Lehon. The countess was lying on II
lounge reading, with apparent calmness
and indifference, while the police officer
was seated near the door"
Now" said the countess, when Nj.
Pietri entered, "the three hours have
not yet elapsed. Have you yet convinced
yourself TINT ii will be in vain, if you i'll
tended to compel me, by kind of mod
ern torture, to deliver up documents
which are in secure keeping fur from
here ?"
"No, madame" said NJ. Pietri; "bui
] have to bring yOu this note from YOU
son, who, moved by the kindness of the
Nott W pun " Ptop u
this unfortunate affair.""
The countess started up, frightened
Pietri gave her the papapcr.
"Oh," exclaimed she, with sparkling
eyes, "shey have cnsnarcd the weak
child. They think | shall yield to his
demand. They think shall forget my,
self, and sacrifice my revenge for the
scrap of favor they have thrown to him.
Never, sir, never!"
"Well, then," said M. Pietri, csc
you have to blame yourself alone ii i use
force, and take thing which you refuse
to give me-"
Pietri then quickly stepped up to the
cabinets wall, to where n picture Of
Count Morny, in beautifully chased
frame was hanging. The next moment
he had taken down this picture. A
sharp pressure upon the nail that had
held it, opened the panel in the wall. A
small iron-safe stood III the dark hollow,
lined with velvet. Like tigress the
Countess Lehon jumped up; she seized
NJ. Pietri's carefully arranged side-curls
with tight grasp, and uttering IN mar.
ticulate cry of rage, she tore him away
from the opening. In spite of this un.
forseen attack, NJ. Pietri had already
seized the stronghold, and thrown it to
the officer, who had quickly approached.
"We have what we were looking for,
madame" said he, removing her hand
from his throat. Every noise will be in
vain, and will compromise Only your-
self. l beg you, therefore, to submit to
the unavoidable.
"Ha, traitor!" cried the countess, be.
side herself with rage, seizing small
Venetian dagger lying among her knick.
knacks. She was about to rush upon
the project, but the officer quickly grasp,
ed her arm, and pressed her wrists
together until she dropped the dagger.
NJ. Pietri bowed to her very politely,
and left the room with his companion
The countess threw herself, sobbing con.
vulsively, upon her lounge. The pre-,
feet returned to, the emperor.
"That is it; that is it," exclaimed the
young Count Lehon, when he perceived
the strong box in Pietri's hands. "Youl
majesty will see that my mother is in
nocent. All the papers must be III it. y
Pietri opened the cover; the emperor
eagerly seized all the papers contained
in the small box, and glanced over them,
one after another.
is it not so, your maiesty?" cried
Count LehOn. els it not true, people
have maliciously accused my mother p
at was vile imputation of hel
enemies" said NJ. Pietri, pressing the
counts hand. "All the measures are
again recalled. Your mother is again
free. feel sorry for what has happen.
ed, but l could not act otherwise, and
hope that nobody has became aware OF
The emperor placed the strong box,
with n contented smile, on his writing
desk. "Go, sir, said he to count Le-
hon, "and carry your mother my ex-
cuses. / have been happyto talk little
with you, and to convince myself how
France is justified in reposing hope in
such an excellent young man as your,
SELF"
He gave the count his hand, who,
quite enchanted, left him, and hastened
to his mother. He found her still sob
hing, almost suf1ocated with anger.
"You have betrayed me-" cried she
to him. "These demons have under.
stood how to use the child against his
own mother, with their devilish Gun,
ming"
81 bctray You mother" exclaimed the
young man, greatly surprised. 81 have
rescued you. / have defended yo,
against a false accusation. have prov.
ell to them that you were falsely nc
cused."
The countess looked full of astonish.
ment Mt the gentle. smiling counte,
nance of her son.
"You have bereft me of the weapon,
my son." said she Mt last, with emotion,
"to punish that false, spiteful traitor,
who forgets his oath, and gives up to Il
stranger, the place which is due to youi
mother"
els not here the place for my mother?'
said the count, opening his arms, will
radiant glances. "Can she find place
that is better and safer than the heart Of
her SOM"
The countess for moment pressed
her hands to her heart, but she could
not resist the chances Of her child; weep
ing, she sank into the arms of the young
man.
The marriage of Count Morny wa'
celebrated with much splendor. He LEI
his young wife to Paris, into the magni
ticent Hotel Morny, and the first visi
which both paid after his arrival was t.
the Countess Lehon. The reception wal
warm. The countess received the young
wife like n motherly friend. Then sh'
called for her son, aud said:
"Forget never, Count Morny, tina
this child has right to your friend
ship"
Mony embraced the young man, Will