Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-11-23

"Yes, shall rene mber, doctor"
And then the men oimedcine reluctant
ly retired, leaving their patient and the
Count together.
Albert said Corona, reckoning him to
r--'Albert I am wounded probably I'M
to death. and by your hand,'
81 know it," was his briet and stern re-
ioinder, still preserving his position in the
middle Of the chamber.
Come hither---my voice is very weak
you must come nearer TO me, ifyou would
hear what have to say to you!"
Removed forward q few paces---his fea-
lures rigid and CHASTITY pale.
What have l done, Alberto she ask ed,
very gently-'what unknown fault have l
committed, that you should thus have
stricken down your own loving wife,"
ASK your own conscience!' he answer
ed, severely, his arms folded across his
breast. his eyes fixed on the floor.
81 am asking it: and it acquits me OF
everything. save ofloving you too fondly
But that was not a fault was it?'
do you know anything ofthis?' he de-
manded, producing the, Princes letter
dropped by AleXo, and holding it before
her haf-clo>ed eyes.
"What is it?" she inquired. l cannot
read t--there is mist gathering before
my sight"
He repeated the contents Of the letter.
repeated every word Oft.
II think l am an expiring woman"
Corona said when the Count had finished
his perusal OF the fatal writing; land think
ing thus, l would not dare to utter aught
but the truth. l am wholly innocent-in-
nocent in act, word, and thought. How
came this note i'll your possession?'
Your page, AleXo, dropped it in one of
the corridors, and picked it up, broke it
open, aud perused it,"
send for the boy" gaspea Corona, e1-
cIte lily, before so hence Let my name
be cleared from the suspicion thus unjustly
and cruelty cast upon it! Send for the boy
at once, TOR my moments on earth may be
nunbered!'
every inquiry was made tor him through
out he palace. Alexo was nowhere to be
found or heard of.
"IIeavenly powers" exclaimed Corona,
receiving the above information. "A
w light bursts upon me! Alexo's face
P ''cnt now to my mental yision-was the
H. of my old enemy-the face Of Margot
FLvlrgc!"
The face of Margot Favarge?"
''Ies-yes Recall the boys features to
your mind-his brow, his eyes, his nose,
his mouth--all, all belonged TO Margot Fav-
a"ge!"
''Great heavenl' cried the Count, striking
his forehead with his palm. But Alexo
was dumb!'
Jay; had Maryot spoken, her voice
would at once have been recognized by
us''
True! Oh, Corona-Corona, we are the
victims of a liendish plot Of that wicked
woman's weaving. But will avenge you;
I will follow her to the worlds end-l will
find her. if she he on the surface OF the
ear h. Oh, Co-ona--Corona. forgive me-
forgive me- he added, tlin2ing himself on
his knees by her side. You NUT not die,
my beloved wi!e--no. no, you must not!"
n tnt nj 10 I,l tDo
much Tor her; she had swooned
For many succeeding days Corona lay in
a most critical state; and the Cour: was like
one distracted. Fully convinced OF Corona's
innocence. he sought the Prince Preides-
laus and demanded of him an explanation
concerning the letter dropped by the page.
The Prince did not like being thus brought
to task by the man whom he had been SEX
ing to in jure; but thinking that it might be
best to speak the truth. he spoke it. He
con :esscd that lie had never received even
SO much as q look OF encouragement from
Madame la Comtesse-that he had been
mislead by Alexo, VIII" had made him be-
lieye that the lady would have no objection
to receive prince for her adOrer.
No doubt now existed in the Counts
mind that AleXo and Margot FavarSe were
one and the same person. bitterly he re-
pented the insane ra,hncss that had led
him to attempt the life Of one so very dear
70 him; and day and night he prayed that
heaven would spare her, and restore her to
his love. And heaven heard the mans
prayer, and Corona lived, and once more
became healthy, cheerful, and happy. The
q Junt was now more than ever devoted to
hs wife, ard in his heart Jealousy was ex-
tingnished for eyermore.
But their mutual enemy was still living
at all events, they supposed she was
and they were nearly ways on the watch,
fearful OIL her approach. The Count had
all 81
order to inquire after and search for, the
missing A.exo; but they al! returned with
oft the slightest tidings o him. For weeks
that quest was continued but ever with the
s,me useless result. A.eSo had disappeared
n by magic, leaving no trace whatever
behind him.
The Count and Countess now quilted
Milan, and after visiting several parts of
Italy. at length settled in beautiful Flor
0nce. where, IN the course OF time, Corona
presented her husband with little daught-
Or. which event IVES followed by great re-
loicings in the Villa Rosati, the place of
their then abode.
Well the infant hourished. as infants do
flourish, and its parents were prodigiously
proud OF it and fond Oft as well. Mamma,
ITS nurse-a woman Of color. with a red
handkerchief twisted around her head and
with strangely silent manners-aDpeared to
be an admirable pretty woman. quite con-
yersant with caudle and with all nursery
mysteries. and much attached to her little
charge. Mamma was implicitly contided in
In fact any one could see that she fully
understood her business and that she
would not like any person to interfere in
that business. Monsieur 10 Comic aud
Corona were very grateful to Mama for the
oare she besto WED upon their young
daughter. for which they were never tired
Of showing her constant acts of generosity
and kindness, which same acts the wom-
IN received with chilling politeness and in
difference, ifficult to understand from one
in her sphere. She came she said from the
West Indies. and she could neither write
nor read. She had been slave, but was
now free. She was very independent and
saucy, and nearly every one about her
feared her. Not that she ever demon
strated any violence or harshness of
manner; far from such she was apparently
person OF calm temper and placid dispo-
sition "a sort of leaden woman; vet her icl-
low servants disliked and feared her all the
while unable to say wherefore they did so.