The Opelousas courier., 1901-04-27
named Axximillian Beauhar-

Bavarian, named Axximillian Beauhar
nais, Duke de Leuchtenberg, a hand
some and elegant cavalier, but n,
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 tn,
royal carriage close by, was seen t.
faint. Her fears for him she loved wa!
the cause.
The emperor dismissed the soldier a
once and returned to the palace to Sci
how serious was Marie'B illness. HI
knew now, however, whom she hac
chosen in her heart.
Two months passed, in which every
effort dictated by tenderness thai
could be devised was resorted to fol-
, 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 roundness and vigor, until at last
Marie lay upon a 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 were 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 a secret which
lay solely between Marie and her au-
gust father. In common with every
n about the court, he almost wor-
shipped the sight of the princess, but
he did SO as one would bow before a
star in the heavens, and to him she
seemed quite as distant. It was i'm
possible for him not to realize her OK
Quisite loneliness, and in a certain
sense to feel enslaved by it. Yet he
had never for one moment imagined
that 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
that he had once before been called to
his side at the review, when the illness
which had Frustrated the princess had
interrupted them. Perhaps" he
thought, "the emperor has some orders
for ms that were then omitted, and
which he now wishes to communicate"
Colonel" said the emperor, as the
Bavarian entered his presence, and
with an abruptness which astonished
the young soldier, II have been max
ing some inquiries concerning you"
"Sire, you honor me-"
II find that your character is unex-
ceptionable. That you are a person of
refined tastes, of artistic culture, and
a loyal spirit. In short, a true cava-
lier."
Your majesty is complimentary"
What do you think of my daughter,
the Grand Duchess Marie Nicoloew-
THE Princess Marie, sire?"
EYES,"
Forgive me, SIRE" he h~esitated.
Speak freely"
you ask me, sire, what I think of
the grand duchess. While your anger
would crush me If I should say what
| really think of the princess, yet l
should be supremely happy If you
would 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
meaning of all this, the colonel hest
lated, until the emperor led him to the
door, where, knocking gently, he en-
tered, introduced the young soldier to
his child, and retired, leaving them to-
A promise from her father had act
ed like a charm upon Marie. The color
had come back to her cheeks, she was
rapidly recovering, and she sat
expecting this visit from the
chosen Of her heart.
Love sought is good" says Shakes
peare, "but given unsought is better"
AS the colonel entered and knelt at
her feet she gave him both her hands.
Words were not needed, one look told
lim all. The light broke In upon his
leart-he was loved, and by her whom
le had considered the widest audacity
to imagine. This was the
Of happiness. Had not Heaven,
asked himself, worked a miracle in
lis behalf?
Directly he was again summoned by
he emperor, and kneeling once more,
le pressed that hand to his lips, as
lis eyes said what his tongue was yet
timid to speak, to the equally hap
" princess.
"Now," said the Gar, will you quit
he service of Bavaria and become the
husband of the Princess Marie?"
Sire, / am her slave for life. Com
nand what you will, I shall cheerfully
The colonel Of dragons was elevat-
ID to the post of aide-de-camp-general
II the empire, made president of the
.cademy Of fine arts, and endowed with
he title of imperial highness, with un-