The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-01-02
BUT ONE WOMAN
TO WE'D.
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that Its population numbered only a
few thousand persons. They were very
exclusive, never adopting foreign cit.
izens and intermarrying among each
other. The consequence was that he
reditary diseases became so plentiful
among them as to threaten their ruin.
Theodore VII, then prince, at last is
sued decree prohibiting marriage be-
tween persons related within the fifth
generation. Under this law marriage
was extremely difficult
One of the first persons on whom the
edict reacted was the hereditary prince
Theodore, who, like the people, must
marry within the prinoipality. At the
time it was issued he was studying at
foreign university, but was about to
finish his course and was expected to
return and marry in order to secure
the succession. Meanwhile his father
directed the heralds to examine the
family trees Of the nobility with a
view to discovering some family into
which the young prince could legally
marry. They reported that but one
family, the Count Of Vervin's, came
within the limit. In this family was
one unmarried woman, Vergilia, twen-
ty years old, in every way attractive
and very suitable match for the
young prince.
Theodore at once sent the prime min
lister to the count, Vergilia's father,
with proposition for his daughter.
The minister returned, reporting that
the count felt greatly honored by the
proposition, but his daughter had de-
marry. She was a maynard girl who
had always been used to having her
own way, and her fathers command
that she should return a suitable an
swer to her sovereign had had no effect
upon her.
Theodore was much perplexed. He
wrote Of the refusal to his son. But
Theodore paid no attention to it and
soon after his graduation wrote his
father that he was minded to travel.
To this his father replied, advising him
he was overload Of the boy and sell
dom communicable come home at
once, that the only woman he could
marry was accepting the attention of
young foreign artist who had recent
ly appeared and solicited the privilege
of painting her portrait. She sat for
him every day, and her father feared
the headstrong girl was in love with
him and would disregard not only the
wish of her sovereign, but the national
custom Of marrying only within the
country. To this warning the prince
did not reply, and his father concluded
that he had gone beyond the reach of
his letters.
Meanwhile the artist Rodrigo Nunez
a young Spaniard, was busy with the
portrait. He was very respectful, keep
ing his distance from the highborn
dame, but she noticed whenever he
strove to interest her in order to catch
her best expression that he was man
Of culture. Gradually as Virgilia gave
him encouragement ne showed by his
manner that he loved her, and one day,
forgetting herself, she called out a
declaration. Then the girl. with her
eyes bent upon the floor, told him of
the proposition for her hand for the
young prince.
"And will you accept?" asked Rodri-
go mournfully.
II have declined it thus far"
"And in the end?'
What would you consider my duty?'
The artist did not reply. Turning to
the portrait. he painted absently. The
girl repeated her question.
1T is for you to make up your own
mind what that duty Directs" he said.
"If do not marry the prince our
people will be the sufferers"
"And if you do marry him-you will
be the sufferer"
YES"
Her face was averted. He stole up
beside her, placed his arm around her
waist and her head dropped on his
breast.
Suddenly he released her.
II love you too well,' he said ito
ask you to do that which you do not
conceive to be your duty
When the artist left Vergelia it was
the last seen of him in the principally.
Where he went or what became of
him no one knew. In time Vergelia
informed her father that she would do
what the interest of her sovereign
and his people required of her. Her
decision was communicated to the
young prince, who wrote her a frank
letter thanking her for at last giving
| her consent. Perhaps you love an
other" he said. "but l trust to win
| your heart in time"
He did not seem inclined to hurry
home, and rumor said that the women
of foreign countries We're loath to lose
him. Finally, however, when his father
pointed out to him that under the cir
cumstances his continued absence was
delaying and endangering the success
sion. he wrote requesting the court to
| make preparations for the ceremony,
to announce the date, and he would re-
turn in time.
While the preparations We're making
Vergelia remained shut up at home.