The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-03-24
Selert Stury.
THE TEST.
BY LOUISE BOWER.

1ed, IOUi Tue DditlC CSo W Tue " al
River. lis owner-Pince Ivan Nicho-
ai--wss one of the proudest subjects in
he mighty Enperor's kingdom, prouder
wen than the royal princes. Proud as
ie was be idoliEed his only child, the
Princess lima; through her he
expected the complete truition of all bis
hopes and ambitions. He wanted bis
broad demenss to rank second to none
save the Cars palace. Even now be
counted bis ser's by the thousands who,
one and all, loved their fair mistress and
proud master.
Tho sun never shone on fairer scene
On this bright December. morning in
1855. The lake lay bound in its icy ar
NOR, the snow glstened like great banks
of pearls, beneath The brightest rars oil
a winters sun. The great tow of the
castle, bathed in hesuty. seemed fitting
prison for the "Sleepipg Beauty"
But hush what means this subdued
hustle, these sorrow-stricken fsces2 o.
this win,er-morn sorrow has sent he'
lron-tipped arrow into this happy house
hold. The Princess has suddenly be-
come blind--,be hrillisncy OF the sun
covered snow has proven too much fol
those beautiful blue eyes.
The golden head is bowed in snguist
as she thinks OF the long wears she mes
pass, never to see the loved fathers face
never to rejoice in the grand beauty o
the ancestrsl home.
Sobs echo through the long apart
ments, torturing the fathers heart as be
kneels to give comfort TO his stricken
child, almost feeing in his heart the wist
to curse the sunshine.
"Hush, child! I will send for som,
one who may do you some good. /:
Dusseldorf is an eminent physician whc
has achieved wonderful cures for tb,
eyes. will send for him, he may eiec
q cure upon your eyes"
Kissing the white iace he leaves her tc
send a courier across the snow-clad
country into Belgium,to the city OF Dus.
seldorf. When he returns he is accom-
panied by Young German physician,
Dr.. Rupert Weber.
He speaks encouragingly of the even.
.usl recovery ofeyesight TO the Princess
Day after dap he attends her faithfully,
until at last be learns to love her with all
.he love Of a strong mans heart, know
ing full we'll his presumpiion-he SIM
Pile German physician, daring to look
with ewes of love upon this beautiful
Russian Princess. He knew when be
eft the castle he should leave the light of
iis life, but-Oh! why should he have
owed where it could not he returned 7
Why should be waste the wealth of his
,reat heart upon hopeless lover
".Bah! Am | child to cry for the
noon p he asked himself coniemptuous-
y and then returned TO his patient with
passionate longing gnawing at his
His heart gives one bound and then
,ulses on swiftly as he Gays:
princess, it is necessary for you 10
undergo an operation. 1t will be pain
ul one, but you must be brave or it will
lot be successful. Will you try ?"
His voice had grown soft and invoI-
be laid ais hand upon hers as
hey lay clasped before her. The sof,
color flooded neck and brow but she an.
,Rerrd cslmly:
"Yes. l will try. / long to see my ia
hers face again and-I long to see yoay
ace; you have been 80 kind and patient
With me. l do not know how l car
bank you" She turned her flushed face
owsrd him forgetting for the momen,
hat she could not see him. A sob broke
rom her as she realized that she could
not see him now
"Hush! dsrllng!" He was on bis
knees saying more than he intended u
,arnot bear it.. Oh, my love, be brave
and you will soon be able to see the ligh
of heaven again; and then-I must bid
you good bv forever"
A sudden passionate movement and
hen, claspiug his hand, she cries, No
no, Rupert, not forever"
For q moment be battles With the tor.
rent Of words that long for utterance
Then taking her two hands in his he said
softly:
ain the short time I have known you
have learned to love you Life viii he
! blank without you. yet know can
never win YOU. have neither rank MOI
wealth. Your fs'her would never con.
'ent, even ehould you. The only honor.
.ble way is to GO away as soon as p"ssi.
Die. But, oh! lima, it is hard. oh SO
,ard, to leave you when ! love you So
ind kneeling beside her BE drops bis
head upon ber knee while all the panes
,f separation Gil his soul with bitterness
ls sslnst the destiny which placed The wo-
nan he loved so far above himself.
Two hands are laid on his dark hair
Ind soft voice breaks the silence:
"Rupert, were l the Czarina herself ]
would say, Il love you.' would rather
,e blind all my life than live without
Iou Rupert, will you not speak 10 me p
Her words had stricken him dumb
vas 1t possible that the beautiful Princess
Inns loved him ? Lifting bis head, his
whole face trsnsfgured with joy, he
,lssps her to his heart, their lips meeting
n the first pure kiss Of love.
Moments pass swiftly to these two ut
erly oblivious of everything save their
own jov.
Al last Rupert says:
"Ilma, what are we to do? Your fa.
her will never consent to our union and
,h! sweetheart, | cannot give you up
now"
you need not, dear. / will be YOU
wife let come what will. Please ring The
BELL"
They waited iu silence until some one
the summons.
"Zada, please inform the Prince I wisl
to see him as soon as possible"
"Ilma," he cries as they are slon,
again, "don't DO anything rash. Re
member you are not cured yet, and if
am banshed-"
"Hush, Rupert, you will not be ban
ished. He is coming"