Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-02-05

Count Chapolsky, will you tell me why
it is that you, so young, do not marry -
MADAME" | replied, "that question
would involve an answer too long for the
few moments yovr gracious goodness can
allow me this evening; but | will write
it for You to read 1t will be easier for
me than to speak of something that
pierces my soul
1t all happened some years since,
The Princess Lirmontoif-the widow of
of man old enough to be her father, to
whom she had been welded in her 10Th
year-was "a
was % and we were betrothed in three
months we were to be married.
The Princess was of noble blood, and
although brilliant, vivacious, full OF won
derful talent and keenly alive to all the
new thoughts, new movements OF the day,
her sympathies-were strictly orthodox and
untinged by the suspicion even of social
istis or revolutionary tendencies.
Not so, |.
NV student days were not far behind
me when | had sung with abandon the
well known song, "Nu God, no Tar -
And at best this sentiment had somewhat
modified. | was most positively 1Gentl-
fed with revolutionary doctrines.
In point OF fact, on the very night on
which my little history opens | was hur-
rying from meeting in an obscure street,
where | had been entrusted with certain
papers, with which | was III the course of
two days to leave for Il city in Germany
The little packet. freighteu with the
hopes and noble aspirations of handful
of men who loved their fellow men only
too well, and their country with des-
peration that was sworn to pierce the
cloud of political and autocratic ty-
ranny that overwhelmed it-eVen
though it should need bullets to part the
vapor-the little packet reposed III the
inner pocket of my vest-ns, rushing along
on foot, for saw no cab within hail, |
made good speed for the house OF the
Princess LirmOntof,
1t was IL Tuesday night, and little
fete awaited my coming.
The Princess was one of those women
one meets now amt H-aln--tne laNorltcS
of the gods. Endowed with beauty OF a
Fascinating type: youth, health and
strength; appreciation and gcneroslly:
intellect and retiCence, also genius; Tor
Naleria cher buptismal nance was writ
err of no mean order: a little artist, very
dlminutve' she called herself; IL must
clan; but, above all, Il sculptor. The
moist clay welded to her small fingers
as to the ten fairy wands of a magician,
and it was To invite a few choice friends
a.
the clay-that the fete had been made.
| reached the hotel; rushed in: was
soon beside her.
"Ah," she said gayly, cit is for this
truant that my curtain waits. What.
she adds in Il lowered tone, has kept you
until SO late -
"Do you not remember our meeting,
Naleria ~ | cry with repressed excite
ment, as touch the precious packet. 81
have the dispatches here, and in two days
l start Tor Vienna"
"What ~ she cries; $50 soon And,
too, You appear happy-happy at quitting
me-"
NO" / exclaim would that | could
persuade you to go with me. But shall |
not be worthier of YOU if | dare and do
aught for the good of my countrymen,
Naluska, my darlingF" | venture to touch
the hanging sleeve of her white robe to
finger impetuously the fine and silvery
fur that borders it. bid me to stay and
| will stay, and the fire yonder burns the
packet
"No, no I would not say that to thee
for worlds"
Our further talk together is interrupted
by the advent of some even tardier guests
for the veil of damp cloth to be drawn
aside from the work that we have been
asked TO pass our opinions on.
With IL deft hand the Princess removes
the barrier, ana her tame stands revealed
10 our gaze:
1t Is llte-slzed Inquire, buoyant ana
Tree IN pose, the trumpet III the strong
outStretched right hand, the laurels en-
clrcllng the beautiful DroW-out there Is
sadness IN IL Tor all-the same species OF
melancholy that Is painted on the lace OF
the artlst as she STANDS beside her WORK.
her large, me eyes nXed upon my lace.
faine mas It's meed or sorrow, lhen,
Princess p says young Marenskl, the poet
as ne glahces from one 10 the other'
w nat mas not lts dttcF ego OF eNpia
tlon y answered she with quaint smile
But come, mcS anus, some Tea VIII give
you voice Tor your reviews or my lady
Fame. Petrol tea, II You Will ~
Presently Petrol, VINO mas disappeared
at his MISTRESS word OF command, re
turns TO the salon, ms rudy countenanct
blanced with terror, his knees trembling
his lips seemingly paralyZed. ~
Wei, my good Petrol, Will" queries
the Princess.
Hlghness, on Hlghness
wen, well, lnterpose lmpatlently
speak man, What IS IL Z"
HlRhness," Whispers Petrot Ialnnss
upon his knees and crossing himself witt
farVnr W.