The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-24
a W1fo's Devotion.

1t was during the progress of the war
OF 1909 that the accident am about to re-
late occurred.
The Count de Brimont, young noble
man scarcely five and twenty years of age,
had, with his wife, the bride OF a week,
been taken prisoner and held in close Gus
tody in town Of Burgundy.
DC Brlmont belonged to one of the old
est families in France, was accomplished,
enthusiastic, and exceedingly handsome,
and his wife was all that tho wife of such a
man should be; in fact, her hand had been
solicited by no less than five princes, but
undazzlcd by the brilliant future she might
have secured, she chose to ally her fort
uncs TO her hearts first choice.
Though prisoners, the young couple
were treated with every courtesy, and sur
rounded by every luxury, debarrcd only of
their liberty. About month after they
had been taken captive, and when in fact
treaty depended upon their safe keeping
until its conclusion, news reached De-
Brlmont that his beloved mother was lying
at tho point of death, eager to see him
once more before she departed He repre-
sented the state of things TO the comman-
der of the city, and bcsought him by tho
affection he entertained for his own mother,
to scnd him, accompanied by suitable
guard, TO his parents death bed. In vain,
however, were his plcadings, too much de-
pended upon retaining lin at present in
captivity, and the commander courtcously
but firmly refused his prayer. De Brimont
was IN despair; he felt as though willing
to give the best years Of his life TO prison
walls, 30 lie could now spend hour with
his 30 dearly loved mother Gro she went
hence and was no more.
Nearly hcart-broken, he once moro re-
newed his cntrcatics, and once more re-
ceivcd denial when suddenly his young
wife appeared, and threw herself before
the fcct of the commander. "Lct him 20
to his mother" she said, "and keep me here;
fix upon day for his return, and If he
is not here at the very hour let me die
"Cpon these terms l permit you to depart
unattended" tho commander said
At first De Brimont absolutely refused to
accept the offer; but upon tho eager per-
suasions of his wife, and the absolute GER
tainty Of being able TO return long before
the day fixed, he at last consented, and
with many embraces bade adieu to his
devoted wife.
He was obliged to travel many leagues,
but the horse he rode was good one, and by
nlghtfall OF the day he set out he reached
his ancestral home. He found the countess,
his mother, very low indeed, but the sight
Of her idolized son appeared'to revive her
somewhat, and she fingered on until even
ing of the day Immediately preceding the
one appointed for his return.
Dc Brimont had only time to kiss her
cold lips and give lasty orders concerning
the funeral, and leaving her 10 be followed to
the grave by every relative save the nearest
and dearest, he set forth on his return, hav-
ing ample time to accomplish the dis
tsnce, even allowing for serious delays.
Z ( He had proceeded about half way on his
journey. his mind absorbed In grief on the
one side at the loss of his parent, and Joy
on the other at once more bcbolding his
bride, when suddenly he was set by furi.
Gus wolf Of an extraordinary size, which,
darted out from wood that skrtcd one
side of the highway. ) The fcrocio,ls beast
first seized the horse, and tore and mang-,
led the poor animal SO terribly that Do
Brimont was forced to dismouht.
s No sooner, had he touched the ground
and before lie had time even for thought
tie wolf left his prey and sprung upon him,
and would certainly have torn him limb
from limb had he not with great presence
Of mind seized the 'asimal' Q t1cgGs With
Iens hand, and With the other laid hold Of
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