Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-30
Written for THE EVENING STAR
THE LIFE THAT WAS GIVEN
FOR NINE.
By COUNT CHAPOLSKY.

copyrighted. 1855
Not many days ago q very charming lady
here in New York said to me:
Count ChapoIsky, will you tell me why 1t IS
that you, so young, do not marry?"
MADAME" replied "that question would
Involve an answer too long for the few mo
nlents your gracious goodness can allow me
this evening. but will write it for you to read.
Ii will be easier for me than to speak OF some
what that pierces my SOUL
IL ali happened some years since.
The Princess Lirmontoff-the widow of q
man old enough to be her father, to whom she
had been welded in her 18th year-was "a.
I was % and were betrothed; in three
months we were to be married.
The Princess was of noble blood, and although
brilliant vivacious full of wonderful talent and
keenly alive to all the new thoughts, new
movements of the day. her sympathies were
strictly orthodox and untinged by the suspi-
cion even of socialistic or revolutionary tenden-
cies.
Not SOL.
My student days were not far behind me
when had sung with abandon the well-known
song, mo God, no Izar!' And at best this
sentiment had somewhat modified. I was
most positively identified with revolutionary
doctrines.
In point of fact. on the very night on which
my little history opens 1 was hurrying from
meeting in an obscure street, where had been
entrusted with certain papers. with which
was in the course of two days 10 leave for city
in Germany.
The little packet, freighted with the hopes
and noble aspirations OF a handful OF men
who loved their fellow-men only too WE'LL
and their country with a desperation that
WAS sworn TO pierce the cloud of political and
autocratic tyranny that overwhelmed it
even though il should need bullets to part
the vapcr-the little packet reposed in the
inner pocket of my vest-aS, rushing along on
loot, Tor saw no car , W.n pr; nai, MADE goS9
10 was a Tuesday night, and little fete
awaited my coming.
The Princess was one of those women one
meets now and again-the favorites of the gods.
Endowed with beauty of a fascinating type;
youth health and strength: appreciation and
generosity; intellect and reticence, also genius;
TOR Naieria Their baptismal name) was a writer
of no mean order, "a little artist, Every diminu-
tive she called herself a musiclan: but, above
all a sculptor The moist CLAW Welded to her
small fingers as TO the ten fairy wands of
magician, and it was TO invite a few choice
friends 10 a first view of her latest work-Still
in the clay-that the fete had been made.
reached the hotel; rushed in; was soon be-
side her
"Ah." she said gaily, cit is for this truant that
my curtain waits. What she adds in a low
cred tone. ''has kept you until so late?''
'Do you not remember our meeting, Valeria?"
precious packet. Il have the dispatches here
and in two days start for Vienna
appear happy-happy at quitting me-"
''NO,' eXclaim: would that / could per-
worthier OF you if dare and do aught for the
good of my countrymen, Valuska, my darling?"
i venture to touch the hanging sleeve of her
white robe, to finger impetuously the fine and
sivery fur that borders it. ''Bid me to stay
and will stay, and the fire yonder burns the
packetr'
mo, no; would not say that to thee for
worlds"
Our further talk together is interrupted by
the advent of some even tardier guests than /,
and presently the moment arrives for the veil
of damp cloth to be drawn aside from the work
that We have been asked to pass our opinions
With a deft hand the Princess removes the
barrier. and her fame stands revealed to our
gaze.
1t is a nfe-sized figure, buoyan. and free in
pose. the trumpet in the strong, outstretched
right hand. the laurels encirclng the beautiful
same species of melancholy that is painted on
the face of the artist she stands beside her
work, her large, fine eyes fixed upon my face.
Fame has its need of sorrow, then, Prin-
cess?' says young Marenski, the poet, as he
glances from one 10 the other.
What has not its after ego of expiation?' an
swered she with quaint smile. "But come,
mes amis, some tea will give you voice for your
reviews OF my lady Fame. Petrol, tea, ii you
wilIr'
Presently Petrol, who has disappeared at his
mistress word OF command, returns to the
salon, his ruddy countenanee blanched with
terror, his knees trembling, his lips seemingly
paralyzed.
We'll, my good Petrol, well?" queries the
brightness, oh, Highnessr
well, well. ! interpose impatiently, "speak
knees and crossing himself with fervor, "the
police are in The courtyard. they, demand en-
trance, they follow me even nOwr'
\ pereeptibIe shudder attacks the assembled
guests, who have by this time crowded about
their hostess and the covering servant.
.'Oh, the police, and is that all, my good Pc
trof? To your feet and prepare TO receive these
gentry in civil fashion, Princess Lirnontoff
laughs high and silvery note. She turns To
the piano and strikes a few bars of a popular
French opera theE in vogue. and in two min
utes the Infection of her naive and wonderful
Marenski. humming the air. takes a few
Waiting steps and others follow his example,;
now every one in the salon Is dancing save me.
ber q above her where she sits.
'Naleria," whisper.
"The packet" She murmurs under her
breath. as faster and faster fiy her fingers over
the Keyboard. Give it to me, Alexis"
AHA! 1t Is L for whom they come! the
hounds. And you think will give up danger
into your keeping. Naleria:" 1 reproach her as
much with the agony of love in my eyes as in
my tone
.'If You love me- cries She raising her ewes
To mine in unmistakable, though silent, Ian
guage, as she plays faster and more furious
measure. give me the packet: quick, for God $
sake: Thrust it quickly into the bosom of my
DRESS
Did I obeyr Oh, mono. Rather put my
hand upon il 10 insure its remaining.
Continuing with one hand the merry tempo
di valsiss, my brave love wrested my treasure
from me, and in another instant it was out of
my reach.
simultaneously, also. she ceased playing.
There were heavy footsteps without.
"Nes amis, eNclaims the Princess, survey
ing her statue with critical eyes, as she picks
up modelling tool from the tray at hand.
"Marenski, you are sure-sighted. Surely / am
not wrong, that drapery about the left hip is too
scanty in the folds?
fright, Princess"
She mounts her little ladder a step or two
hers tr la h1nf
Grapcry OF the Fame.
ITEMS, that goes better. does it note
Ealerias back Is turned To US all She bends
over her work and with a movement of in
finite deXterity the packet is torn from its hid
ing place ard Embedded in the Welding CLAW
The break u hidden, the last touch is given by
those trembling, noble little fingers, symmetry
Is restored as
The police eLter the salon.
'Messieurs." the Princess Lirmontoff bows
with inqulring and naughty gravity TO these
officials from her height ON the ladder as she
dips her hands in a bowl OF water held by the
agitated PetrOf-"wlat can do for your
princess, We are under orders to search your
house"
"To-night?"
Tonight. Princess"
"petroi, hand thee keys TO monsieur and
light him through the rooms"
There II not mere nobility in her diction and
her mOtives-there is majesty. Had 1 not
loved her with a love beyond words before this
night would have doubled all my sum-
II was not long before the small procession
once again invaded the salon.
We'll. monsieur, have you aught to recon-
mend? the Princess inquiries.
Nothing, Madame - The fellow hesi-
tates-