St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-25

II y
beautiful and lovely that the greatest
prince of Europe. had he met her even
in peasant hut, might we'll have turned
his back upon princeSseS to offer her his
hand and throne. 1t was Marie Mic
ol8wna, the adOred daughter of the en-
peror of Russia. As her father saw her
blooming like the May flower, he cast
his eyes upon the fairest, the richest
and most powerful, and with the smile
Of father and king. said to her:
"My child, you are now of an age to
marry, and have chosen for you the
prince who will make you queen, and
the man who will render you happy"
1.-The man who will render me happy"
stammered the blushing princess, with
a.sigh, which was the only objection to
which her heart gave utterance. Speak,
father" she said, land your majesty
shall be obeyed."
l''Obeyed! Is it then only as an act of
obedience that you will recei We a hus-
band from my hands?"
The young girl was silent an concealed
a tear.
Explain yourself, Marie! 1 command
your
Eyes, father-If I must tell you-my
heart is no longer my own. 1t is be-
slowed upon a young man who knows
it not, and who shall never know it if
such be your wish. He has seen me but
two or three times at distance, and we
will never speak to each other if your
majesty forDids it,"
The emperor was silent in his turn.
He grew pale. Three times he made
fIao 49, hn sol 10
ask the name of the young man. He
who would have braved for caprice
the monarchs of the world at the head
of their armies; he, from his omnip0-
tence. feared this unknown youth. who
disputed with him the possession of his
dearest treasure.
"Who is this MANI"
"a stranger"
The emperor fell back into an arm
chair and hid his face in his hand, like
AgamemnOn at the sacrifice of Iphi
genia.
''Where shall 1 see him?" said the
car. rising with threatening aspect.
Tomorrow, at the review"
GLOW shall [ recognize him." de-
manded the car, with stamp of bis
foot.
by his green plume and his black
steed."
"'Tis well. Go. my daughter, and
pray God to have pity upon the man."
On the following day at the review
the car recognized in him simple col
onel of the Bavarian Lighthorse-MaXiI
milan Joseph Eugene Auguste Beau
harnois, the Duke Of Leuchtenberg,
the youngest child of the son of JO
sephine. who was for brief time en-
press of France.
els it possible?" said the ear to him
self. 'FThere is no longer 4 doubt! It's
indeed hep
And, turning his back upon the stupe-
fed stranger, he returned with Marie to
the imperial palace.
For six weeks all that prudence, tenn
pered with love and severity could in
spire. was essayed to destroy the image
of the colonel in the heart of the prin-
cess. AT the end of the first week she
was resigned; at the end of the second
she wept; at the end of the third she |
wept in public; at the end of the fourth
she wished to sacrifice herself |
the fifth she was dying. Mean |
while the colonel. seeing himself in dis |
grace at the court of his host, without |
daring to confess to himself the cause, !
did not wait for his dismissal to return |
to his regiment. He was ont he point of |
setting out for Munich when an aid-de- |
camp of the ear came for him.
He was uShered into the cabinet, !
where kings only are allowed to enter. |
The emperor was pale and his eye was
moist, but his air was firm and resolute.
Colonel duke" said ne, enveloping |
and penetrating him with his glance. !
'you are one of the handsomest officers |
in Europe. 1t is said also. and l believe |
it is true, that you possess an elevated !
mind, a thorough education. What |
think you of the grand duchess, my
daughter, Marie Nicol9wna"
This point blank question dazzled the
young man.
THE Princess Marie.s irl?" exclaimed |
he, reading at last his own heart, with
out daring to read that of the car:
''yOur anger would crush me if told /
you what think of her; and l should
die. OF joy if you permitted ME to say
it,
''You love her-'tls WE'LL" resumed
the car, with benignant smile; and
the royal hand, from which the duke
was awaiting the thunderbolt, delivered
to the colonel the brevet of general
aide-de-camp of the emperor-the bre-
vets of commandment of the cavalry of |
the guards and of the regiment of hus-
sars. All this. with the title of imperial
highness and several millions of re-
venue.
Now" said the car to the young
man. who was beside himself with JOY.
twill you quit the service of Bavaria
and become the husband of Princess
MaVie?''
The young officer could only fall on
his knees and bath with his tears the
hands Of the emperor.
"You see that also love my daugh-
ter" said the father, pressing his SON
in law in his arms.