Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-02-27
HOW SHE WAS v E

fortune ~bedueathed her by her mother,
was soon surrounded by "a host of.
admirers. She speedily became cap
tiyated by one Of the most worthless
of her suitors, Carl M-lbecause he
had a handsome face, and long, black,
wavy hair, was gifted with a fascina-
ting manner, dressed with exquisite
taste, danced marvelously, and pos
sessed rare powers as a singer. Carl
was a noted gambler and given to
dissipation, and Count Christian be-
came possessed of information that the
young chevalier had quilted Naples in
consequence Of some scandalous ad-
venture in which he had been impli-
Gated.
Helen was 50 completely infatuated
with Carl that she gave no heed to
the advice, the prayers, or even the
orders of her father. She would not
believe the reports of the disgraceful
antecedents of her willy lover. The
condition of affairs brought the count,
possessed of a remarkable degree of
hrmness, to the determination of orig
mating some plan whereby he could
efectually overcome the persistent
efforts Of Carl to secure his daughter,
as we'll as convince Helen that to save
her from such an unprincipled man
was a deed of paternal tenderness and
care.
The chevalier had continued adroit7
ly in his work of e~nsnaring the young
heiress, and finally in direct terms
asked her to elope with him. He
wrote a note proposing a %clandesLlue
meeting at an hour when her father
was in the habit of going out to play
whist with some gentlemen of his ac-
quaintance, aud In it made the sug-
g%estion that, if she favored the propo-
sitioa, she wear in her belt a rose as a
sign Of consent. Count Christian,
having intercepted the letter. took
occasion soon after to approach Helen,
and then asked her to 60 out with
him, at the same time handisg her a
flower, remarking Put this in your
belt as an ornament" She smilingly
obeyed. In the course Of their walk
they met Carl, who bowed, and was
overjoyed to notice that Helen had
carried out his request.
The count conducted his daughter
to the residence Of one OF his &C
quaintauces, and requested her to
wait until he called for her. This
done, he returned to the house he oc.
cupied on the outskirts of Baden. He
had sent away his servants and was
alone. At the appointed hour Carl ar
rived and leaned over the garden wall.
Finding the door securely closed, he
entered the house through one Of the
windows. With pleasurable excite
ment he fastened towards Heleu's
apartments, but great wal bis aston
ishment to find her father, armed
with a brace of pistols. The count
closed the door, and said to the mis-
cradle chevalier:
Carl M, | could kill you: ]
have the right to do so. You have
entered my house at night; you have
broken into 1t. l could treat you as
a felon-nothing could be more nat
ural.'
But, sir" said Carl, trembling, and
in most al inaudible tone, Il am not
a rObber."
Not a robberl" exclaimed Count
Christian. whit aie you then? You
have come TO steal my daughter, to
steal an heiress and a fortune. Ihave
your criminal letter. | shall show
you no mercy. If you refuse to obey
me. | will STAY you"
What is your will, sir?'
you must leave Baden this instant.
You must put at least two hundred
leagues between it and you, and never
come into the presence ofmy daughter.
For your travelingexpenses l will give
you 5000 francs.
| Carl endeavored to speak.
"Silence!' said the count, in a voice
Of thunder. "You must obey. In
that secretary is the money. Take it.
The chevalier ventured the remark:
Permit me to decline your offer"
The false modesty Of the young man
was overcome by the imperious gesture
of the old man.
But, said Carl, the secretary is
rocked
Break the lock, then" returned the
count, and with his pistol in his hand
he repeated, Break it, or I'll blow
your brains out"
Carl obeyed.
ut is well" said the old gentleman.
those bank notes are yours. Have
you a pocket-book with anything
identifying it as belonging to you?"
Then let it fall in front of the sec.
retary which YOU have broken open. "
What, sir -.
must have proof which will con-
Wet you. | mean to have all the evil
dence Of burglary. Robber or DEATH
Choose All, / see your choice is
made. Now go before me. | do not
quit you until you are a league from
Baden. / return late, and enter no
complaint against you till tomorrow
noon. BECOME"
Cheyalier Carl could not resist the
compulsory order, and Count Chris
tlan's plan was carried out to the very
letter. The affair created great noise
and excitement. Helen could no
longer doubt as to Carl's character
aud it was not long before hisimage was
banished from her heart, and that was
in due time surrendered to one of her
cousins, a captain of an Austrian cav
airy regiment,