The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1901-05-04

"At to-morrow's review"
How shall recognize him."
by his green plume and blacl
charger"
1T is we'll, my daughter" he replied
calmly. Go and pray to God to hav
mercy or this man."
''She is young; it is but a youthful
fancy" said the Emperor to himself
Il will not let the matter annoy me
She will forget him, she must forge
him. | can crush him with word, bu
alas! | could not withstand Marie's
| tears. | am iron in the world, but wa,
in her hands. l could not live and see
her unhappy"
He continued musing thus, and walk
Ing about his apartments in 6
| troubled and anxious mood.
At the review the following day the
Emperor soon detected the green plume
and black charger. with its rider. II
was young colonel of Dragons, a
Bavarian, named Maximillian Beauhar-
nais, Duke de Leuchtenberg, a hand
some and elegant cavalier, but no
match in rank and station for Marie
daughter of the emperor. The youth
full colonel was summoned to his side,
and as he rode up to receive the com
mands OF the emperor. Marie, in the
royal carriage close by. was seen to
faint. Her fears for him she loved was
the cause.
The emperor dismissed the soldier at
once and returned to the palace to see
how serious was Marie's illness. He
knew now, however, whom she had
chosen In her heart.
Two months passed, in which every
effort dictated by tenderness that
could be devised was resorted to for
the purpose OF obliterating the image
Of the Bavarian from the heart Of
Marie Niceloewna, but all in vain. The
princess was not obstinate; she was
only too yielding to her fathers argu-
ments; but he saw her cheek growing
paler day by day, and her form losing
its rou1dness and vigor, until at last
Marie lay upon sick-bed. All the
medical skill Of Europe could not min
lister to "a mind diseased" and so the
emperor found, and these professionals
told the father that they we're power
less, that he must make up his mind to
part with Marie. for she could not
live!
All this while Macmillan Beauhar-
nais knew nothing Of secret which
lay solely between Marie and her au-
gust father. In common with every
one about the court, he almost wor-
shipped the sight of the princess. but
he did SO as one would bow before
star in the heavens, and to him she
seemed quite as distant. It was i'm
possible for him not to realize her ex-
luisite loveliness, and in certain
sense to feel enslaved by it. Yet he
had never for one moment imagined
hat she looked favorably upon him.
or, indeed, that she had ever noticed
him, as singled out from a score OF
others.
One day he was summoned to the
presence Of the emperor, though he
Knew not for what. He remembered |
hat he had once before been called to
lis side at the review, when the illness |
which had prostrated the princess had
Interrupted them. Perhaps" he
hought, "the emperor has some orders
or me that were then omitted, and
which he now wishes to communicate"
Colonel" said the emperor, as the
'avarian entered his presence. and
With an abruptness which astonished
he young soldier, Il have been max
ng some inquiries concerning you."
"Sire, you honor me-"
II find that your character IS unex-
eptionable. That you are person Of
efned tastes, Of artistic culture, and
loyal spirit. In short, true cava-
er."
"Ycur majesty is complimentary"
What do you think of my daughter,
he Grand Duchess Marie Nicoloew
az"
"The Princess Marie, sire?"
"Yes."
FOTSlVC mc, SlIc, AC ACoAIoCSu' |
Speak freely"
"You ask me, sire, what l think OF
le grand duchess. While your anger
ould crush me If l should say what
really think of the princess, yet
1ould be supremely happy II you
ould permit me to say it."
do you love her, colonel?"
"Sire, worship her."
"Enough-she is in that ROOM"
"Sire, would you have me enter?"
"As you choose" he replied.
Scarcely yet understanding the
Gaming of all this, the colonel hesi-
ted, until the emperor led him to the ,
DOR, where, knocking gently, he en- I
red, introd iced the young soldier to
S child, and retired, leaving them to- ,
,ther. i
A promise from her father had act ,
like a charm upon Marie. The color ,
I'd come back to her cheeks, she was
ready rapidly recovering, and she sat !
ere expecting this visit from the
Iosen of her heart.
Aove sought is good" says Shakes
are, but given unsought is better" t
Az the colonel entered and knelt at ,