The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-08-09
The Little Belgium
Countess

COUNTESS SelGSld llNtu III bSi
seek, Belgium. On the night OF
her eighteenth birthday in nine
teen seventeen she was made
countess.
She was very happy until her
father and brother were called to
war. Then in a short time came
the news that her dear father and
brother were killed at Liege. Her
mother grieved herself to death.
Then Celesta was left alone with
her English governess, Miss Jane
and her wicked uncle, George
Klym
The dying words of her mother
were, Take Celesta to America,
do not let her make a union with
| Germany"
A few days later the Germans
in one of their raids took pos
session of Celesta's home much to
her disgust. And to make things
worse her uncle turned traitor to
his country. AS if Selesta were a
pawn, he promised her hand in
marriage to a German Prince.
At this time Celesta rebelled and
with her English governess Miss
Jane escaped and came to Ameri-
ca. They travelled from place to
place while her uncle followed, Of
which they were unaware.
They were travelling on south
ern express train one day, when
to their surprise they discovered
that her uncle was on the same
train. Then remembering the
graves in Belgium and the honor
of her country, they knew some
thing must be done. For if her
uncle got hold of her, he would
take her back to Belgium. and
make her the wife of the German
Prince. When the train stopped
at a watering tank out in the coun-
try and she thought no one was
watching her she got off the train.
The uncle tryed to follow but
not being allowed to leave the
train had to go to the next town
which was about four miles from
there.
Miss Jane travelled on to return
later for her charge. Celesta went
into a woods near by and there
met a young man, who was Rob
ert Lawrence, a native OF that
country, Tennessee. Robert hap
pened to have good steed, and
they started on horseback to a
place of shelter, from the approach
ing storm.
Night came on and found them
lost in the forest. They prepared
a place of shelter of their own and
stayed there till morning.
At day-break they discovered
her uncle coming in search of her.
Celesta and Robert got on the
horse, she once more escaped to
a place of safety, out of her uncle's
clutches.
Robert took her to Grandma
Whites house who was good
friend of his. Mrs. Lawrence lived
alone in the old home stead, where
her mother and father died. Gel
esta was very well contented, at
Grandma Whites until two days
after her arrival, the house caught
fire. The house burned to the
ground But they escaped unhurt.
One of Celesta's dresses was in
the ruins. Her uncle who was in
search of her yet, came upon the
ruins of Grandma Whites home
and seeing Celesta's dress believed
that she had persisted in the fire.
Robert Lawrence took Grandma
White and Cclesta to his home. He
cared for them also.
AS time went on, CeleSta and
Robert grew to love each other.
In the following year they were
married. George Klym on his way
home resolved to be a better man.
He found that his home was
empty without Celesta. He thought,
"If Celesta could have been home
he would certainly let her do as
she chose.
During all that time peace was
declared. Celesta Rowing her I'M
Gle could do her no harm now and
desiring to see her old home re-
turned to Belgium with her hus-
band, Robert Lawrence, Grandma