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A happy smile played upon Carlo's blue lips

"I die," he murmured, "but I die for thee! Thy vapo has kept his word,

he has defended thee until his last breath! How good is God! He lets me

die in thy service!"

"No, no, youway to

the wildest sorrow "No, Carlo, you must live! Oh, say not that you die!

Ah, you love me, and yet you would leave me alone! Only live, and I also

will love you, Carlo, as warly as you love me! Do but

remain with me, and my heart, my life shall be yours!"

"Too late! too late!"lips "Remember me,

Natalie--I have dearly loved you I die happy, for I die in your arms!"

"No, no, you shall live in my arms!" sobbed she "I will be yours--your

bride!"

"Kiss ly stammered

She bent over hi in death She laid her war cheek to his cold and

marble-pale face; that full, fresh life pressed that which was cold and

expiring to her bosole with death! In vain!

Death is inexorable What he has once touched with his hand, that is

past recovery, it is his

The blood no longer flowed froer