Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-24

ing Miserable fool that am, ! was sacri- |
fcing to you honor and consciencei But |
what can ! do! l have one of those weak |
minds, over which love reigns like tyrant;
a crime would be of no consequence in my
eyes if it would make you mine. Do you
hear me, a crme-if it but free you'll"
An exclamation of horror burst from the
countess
"You need not be frightened, :" returned
Eudor hastily; you do not understand me.
After a minute of silence, the countess said
in sweet and melancholy tone of voice:
"Eudor, why do you thus torment poor suf-
fering woman3 Is this time to talk thus to
mel Probably you know even better than my
self that it would be no longer in my power
to accept of the guilty happiness you offer me.
l feel so weak; soon, very soon, trust, all
will be over-fears and sorrows, and this
broken heart will be at rest"
"Why these sad thoughts'"
"Sad! OH no! they are happy ones. How
often have | prayed to God to take me from
this earth, where all happiness is lost to me.
God has heard me-"
"Then," said Eudor, "you would like
to''-
"Dic," replied the countess calmly.
IF | were to tell you that there was no
more hope: that your disease was fatal
one'-
Eudors countenance was lighted up, as he
spoke with an almost Internal expression of
joy; he Eazed for an instant on this beautiful
young woman, who seemed to be almost
dying, and then, he continued:
'Well then, since you are prepared, | will
tell you the truth. When | just now spoke
OF a future, of joy and love, wished to de
ccive you, and to give you a nope that my
..,lf h,,v ly,rt' 10 "a. it oil
impossible for him to articulate another.
word, she fixed on him such look of love
and melancholy; and in her beautiful black
eyes, there was such an expression of tender
ness and regret at leaving this world, that
the young man seemed deeply moved.
All! you are not as much weaned from
this life as you said!" A smile played on the
pale lips.
Yes said She, Il own it, | felt do not
know why, my heart sink; but my courage is
returning. am ready now" added she,
taking Eudor's hand and putting it on her
heart 'now repeat those words, and you
will feel it beat neither fastnr now slower"
"Well, them" said Eudcr dscrgaging his
band; "let the will Of heaven Nc done!' He
! retreated few steps, and conceaing himself
| behind the curtains, he drew from his bosom
| the vial he had placed there on entering! An
| instant more, and he calmly presented to
Emma a cup filled to the very Grim with the
blue liquid.
''Whut for!n said she; Twill it prolong my
ife:"
NO" replied Eudor.
We'll, then-why must take another
otter potionF'
This one is not bitter, Emma; and if it
.lnnot conquer your fever, it will, at least,
save YOU from all sufTerinrs IN YOUR last mo-
nents" The countess put the cup to her lips,
and, while she slowly drank 1t, Eudor con-
tlnued you will sleep as if after ball,
quietly rocked with the sounds of sweet
music your flowers and your dress before
YOUR ewes"
Yes" replied the countess, returning to
mini the cmutv cup. ives. all NV happy r,col-
lections " III assist me at thi. moment. since
YOU are there. YOU with whom all the ioys
and pleasure OF NV past life are conucctod.n
One hour had passed, AMI ever since she
had taken Eudor's urescrirt ion the count ass
had been hopelesslv weak she asked for the
consultations of religion.
Prizes sand Levit,.; soo-, arrival carrvinc tho
slc~.l Hot II va, n sad sigbt. n room full
Of knop',1o uer,o,,.. r,......., IN n low voice
tnp -ra;crs for the dvin-, which only soL5 of
angus. occasionally iutorrurted; here and
!
ravs over tine l.uceling crowd. and bending
over the bed an aged priest ministerlng to a
youthful female.
Soon the crowd dispersed ard agein Eudor
wa, left alone with Emma, but the interview
was not long Her las, look. her last PRAYER
10" last sirh were for tie only one she had
ever loved, and death scl2 | his prey.
DID LudOr display grief at her mournfu
end;
lie gazed at her calmly; but now and then
as il to quiet some importure thought, he
repeated:
She wished 10 die The worst can only
be that her wish has been granted IL
called the count and led him to the bed
You arc the person to close her eyes"
The despair Of the old man was heart rend
ing. He fell senseess by the body of his wife
When the count was come from the cham
Der Eudor returned to the bedside II,
seemed to feel an exquisite pleasure in watch
ing the body. The closed eyes, the stifeneC
| limbs, the features once so beautiful, nov
pale and sunkcn. He gazed and murmurec
with a smile:
TriS riubt no breath M lifa-cold- oi,