Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-17
1ales aud Skftfhes.
A SISTERS LOVE.
Continue from yesterday. }
BY MRS. JAMESON.

Your brother was maurdis sujet: he
ought not to be pardoned, and il were
the emperor | would not pardon him."
She rose from her knees, and, stretching
her arms toward Heaven, exclaimed with
fervor:
Il call Heaven to witness that my
brother was innocent and | thank Heaven
that you are not the emperor, for can
still bope.'' q
The minister in rage. said. do you
dare to speak thus to me Do you know
who ann"
Yes she replied; YOU are his excel
lency the minister c.; but what OF
that? YOU are a cruel man but put my
trust in Heaven and the emperor; and
then said she. Il left him. without even
a courtesy. though he followed me to the
door, speaking very loud and very an
grily."
Her suit being rejected by all the min
listers Oor even those who were most gen.
tie, and who allowed the hardship of the
case. still refused to interfere, or deliver
her petition, J she resolved to do what she
had been dissuaded from attempting in
the first instance-to appeal to the emper-
OF IN person Dul IL was III VAIN ohO 4o' :
ished hundreds of dollars in brides to the
inferior officers; in vain she beset the i'm
peral suite, at reviews. at the theatre. on
the way to the church, invariably beaten
back bv the guards, or the attendants, she
could not penetrate to the emperor's pres
ence. After spending six weeks in daily
Intellectual attempts of his kind, hoping
every morning. and almost despairing
every evening-threatened by the police,
and spurned by the Observation-Disclosures
raised her up friend in one of her own
sex. Among some ladies OF rank, who
became interested in her story. and invit-
ed her to their houses, was Countess
Elise, something or other, whose name
did not write down. One day, on seeing
her young protege overwhelmed with
grief, and almost in dispair, she said, with
emotion, II cannot dare to present your
potion myself, | might be sent off to Sibe-
ria, or at least banished the court; bul all
can do | will. | will lend yon my equip
age and servants. will dress you in my
robes: you shall drive to the palace the
next levee day, and obtain the audience
under my name; when once in the pres
ence of the emperor. you must manage
for yourself. If | risk this much, will
you venture the rest"
And what" said I, was your an
swer?"
"Oh!" she replied, Il could not an
swer; but threw myself at her feet and
kissed the hem of her gown ~
| asked her whether she had not feared
to risk the safety of her generous friend ?
She replied, That thought did not strike
me-but what would you have? cast it
from me. | was resolved to have my
brothers pardon-I would have sacrificed
my own life to obtain it-and. heaven for
give me, | thought little of what it might
cost another"
This plan was soon arranged, and at the
time appointed my resolute heroine drove
up to the palace in a splendid equipage,
preceded by running foOtman, with three
lackevs in full dress mounted behind
She was announced as the Countess Elise
-, who supplioated a particular audi
ence of his majesty. The doors flew open,
and in few moments she was in the
presence of the Emperor, who advanced
one or two steps to meet her, with an air
of gallantry, but suddenly started back.
Here could not help asking her wheth-
er at that moment she did not feel her
heart sink.
No" said she, firmly; ION the con-
trarv, | felt my heart beat quicker and
higher. Sprang forward and knelt at his
feet, exclaiming. with clasped hands,
Pardon, imperial majesty, pardon ="
"Who are you ?" said tine emperor, as
tonished and what can do for you?"
He spoke gently-more gently than any
of his ministers. and overcome, even by
my own hopes, burst into a flood of tears
and said:
MAY it please your imperial majesty,
am not Countess Elise -, | am only the
sister of the unfortunate Henri Ambos.
who has been condemned on false accusa-
ton. Oh, pardon pardon. Here are the
papers-the proofs. Oh, imperial maies-
ty pardon my poor brother"
held put the petition and the papers.
and at the same time, PROSTATE on my
knees, | seized the skirt of his embroid-
cred coat, and pressed it to my lips. The
emperor said:
Rise. rise ~ but | would not rise;
still held out my papers. resolved not to
rise till he had taken them.
At last the emperor, who seemed much
iii''NN' NN'thNo' ohO manu- W" uius iut
and took the papers with the other, saying
Rise, mademoiselle-I command you
to rise ~
ventured to kiss his hand, and said,
with tears:
Il pray of your majesty to read that
paper"
He said: II will read it,"
then rose from the ground and stood
watching him while he unfolded the pe.i-
ton and read it. His countenance changed
and he exclaimed once or twice:
lis it possible? This is dreadful ~
When he had finished he folded the
paper, and, without any observation, said
at once:
"Mademoiselle Ambos. your brother is
pardoned ~
The words rang in my ears, and again
flung myself at his feet. saying and yet
scarce knew what said:
Your imperial majesty is good man
upon earth; do YOU indeed pardon my
brother, Your ministers would not suffer
me to approach You; and even vet fear
-" He said:
Pear nothing; You have my promise -
He then raised me from the ground and
conducted me himself to the door. tried
to thank and bless him, but could not; he
held ont his hand fDr mo IN hiss and ,bap