The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1902-01-24
tca,prEs XII cosrrSuEp.)

subject 10 Ills mere. Dut look De
yond the grave, and how bright it i
with hope! l have a father and {
mother there. Oh, in all my misery
even in the worst state to which tn,
bad duke can reduce me, / would no
change places with him. You seem
ed to intimate that God would Sc,
me suffer and yet let the duke tri
umph. Triumph? Oh, Zenobie, fol
what would you have that man:
heart in your bosom and his soul in
your keeping?"
81 would rather dep the CIR
cried, while a cold shudder ran
through her frame.
"Then, you see, he does not GO
clear. Oh, how blind and simple
are those who imagine there can be
pleasure in SIM"
This opened new theme to Zeno-
bie's mind, and she pondered upon
it a long while. But by and by she
came back to the theme from
whence they had started, and in pur-
suance thereof she said:
"My mistress, are you sure the
duke will persist in this ?"
"Aye, Zenobie; | know he will"
Rosalind answered, while the old
shudder came back to her frame and
the old grief to her soul.
"And have you no hope?"
"Only one-in Ruric. He may
kelp me-"
sSOh, | hope he can! He is no.
Bic man."
Rosalind answered with look of
gratitude, and Zenobie proceeded:
"Where is the titled lord more no.
Bile than he? Oh, were / to choose
a husband now and he was free and
/ was in your position I'd choose
Ruric Newell before all the emperors
Of earth"
$50 would l." returned the fair
maiden.
''If were countess, as you are,
oh, how ! should love to make such
a man count p
"But my marrying him would not
make him a count. We're he a count
and | like what he is now in station
his marrying me would give me the
title. But we poor women do not
have that power"
"Well, then, we should so much
more have the right to choose our
own husbands
Rosalind made no oral answer,
But her look showed that she SYM
pathized with the sentiment.
"My Mistress" at length spoke
Zenobie again, this time in low
whisper, "why may we not leave
this placer"
Rosalind started as though she
had heard the speech of spirit, and
for moment look of hope gleam-
ed upon her face. But it quickly
passed away.
"Alas, where should we go!
This was a part of the plan which
Zenobie had not thought of, and
ere she could make any reply one Of
the female domestics entered the
apartment and announced that
woman wished to see her young mis-
tress. Rosalind asked who it was
but the girl could only tell her that
it was a middle aged woman and
very good looking. The young
countess babe Zenobie 60 down and
conduct her up. Ere long after
ward the attendant returned, and
Hith her came Claudia Newell. Ros-
Sind had not seen the good woman
For over a year, but she knew her at
,nce, and, starting up from her seat,
The bounded forward and embraced
her warmly.
"Ah, Aunt Claudia, am glad you
have come! You will let me call
1ou aunt, as ] did in those happy
zines long gone by?"
"Aye, sweet Rosalind," returned
he widow. imprinting a warm kiss
,pon the fair white brow.
The countess noticed the strange
adncss of the woman's tone, and
hen, for the first time also, she
Ioticed the sadness of her look.
Aunt Claudia, you look sad" she
aid, while chill dread struck to
er own heart.
"Aye," the widow uttered, as
hough she were afraid to venture
he question she wished to ask; 81
ave been very sad because | have
nd terrible fear. Has--has not
,uric been here2"
"When?" uttered the maiden,
the whole fear now.
"Within these three days."
"Just then. Day before yester- I
ay he was herein the forenoon"
"And have not seen him sinceW