The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-03-23

hnt i've IrteOu was Octter Than dead
emperor, and frankly sending to tho aggrcv
ed gentleman some pacific message.
During tho summer and fall, Genera
I.croux was absent on tour through The
States; aud, rs Henri was much cnrrosscc
in studies, Captain Hamilton was left faiI
field for his wooing operations. lie rode
and walked, sung aud read English with
mademoisclle, and nll would have gone on
smoothly had he not also talked. But tho
ghost Of Bonapartc wns never hid md that
unfortunate last battle, when the little cor.
poral' was defeated by fate, not by Wei.
lington, was fought over again, almos,
daily.
On the return Of the General, Captain
Hamilton thought best TO consult with him.
before making formal proposal 10 Eusc.
ME. To his great joy, the kind inthcr
made no opposition 10 bis suit--leaving tho
matter wholly In his daughters hands.
But Eigcnic was too arch c.que,ic TO dc.
eide Ut once--again aud ngain requested
time Tor consideration, until weeks slipped
by, md The merry skating days had come
round again.
Il was clear, luminous moonlight night,
late in December, when Captain Hamilton
aud Lieutenant Thurston met nj the house
of General Lcroux. Thurston had bu, tina,
day returned from Quebec, where he had
been spending some months; and was,
'hcret''re, not a little an fat Of tic state of
affairs between his brother soldier md
Niademoiselle EugeEic. Tho friends, tho
they they did not come together, found they
were bound on the sel!:samc crrand-to SO.
licit the honor 1T attending upon msdcm-
oisc!|c 10 military ball which WAS 10 be
given on New Years eve. As neither
gentleman would resign his claims in "a
vor of the othcr.n playful alteration ensu.
ed-Eugenie declaring herself unable to
decide. At this point. Henri !nuehingly
proposed that, rs the night was magnificent,
the important question should bc decided
by skating match; or That Eugcnie should
play 'A,aIanta upon Skaics.'
The gentlemen jo,fully asscntcd; Eugc.
ME clappcd her hands with childish giec,
aud retired to don her ska,ing costume.
This was somewhat different from the one
which she had worn a ycnr before; the
trimming being of white fur, and for the
sake Of greater conspicnousncss or this &C.
casion, she placed in her cap long white
ostrich plume. The effect of this dress was
To render her more bewitchinely beautiful
than ever, rs she cn,ne bounding into the
drawing room fnr her companions. Cen
L.eranx, after gazing on her proudly Tor
embraced hor tcnder,y md de-
clnrcd his intention Of joining the little
party, TO sec that no harm beiel her, aud
that a!l went fair in the race.
On their way 10 the river, Cnpi. Tamil.
ton, whose arm Eugene hnd taken, look ed
with sudden seriousness into the roguish
eyes Of his companion, mud whispered
MAY not n question Of more moment
than That Of escor;ing you TO this ball, be
also decided tonight
I'm the snme manner, monsieur!'
Yes, mud may the swifincss of nv heels
anvil, where The eloqucncc Of my ndoring
henrt has failed
AS you will,' che replied, laughing mer-
rily. 'ovcrtake me and surrender prisoner
for life, but fail, and il is tho lost Waterloo
Of vour wooing. Remember
The moon was ut its full, and the icc-
hound 81. Lawrence lay like broad sheet
Of el.tesing silver.
The race was soon fairly began. Thurs
ton nj first seemed likclicst to win, but law
ing out all his strength in desperate efforts
to hcnd Eugcnie in her marvellous cvoIu-
tions, At length sank down. utterly exhnuss.
ed; mud the provoking girl turned and flew
past him, like wild bird on the wing
The field was now left 10 Hamilton, who
had infinitely moro q, stake, and he swore
a mighty oath TO himsclf) never to yield
until tho victory was his.
Il was scene 81 singular excitement.
Hamilton, though an admirable skater, new
CT seemed 10 gain upon Eugcnic, except
by her own permission: for she would now
and then flag, as though about TO pause,
place her baud on her side. and droop her
head, rs from wcarincss. Hamilton would
rcdouble his efforts, and the next moment
she would he flying about him ia bcwildcr-
ing circles, nearer and nearer, ill tho ring
of her skates, and her merry laugh were in
his ears; and then, away shot her little form
with Incredible swiltness, till Gar a-down
the river her long white plume was float.
ing in the moonlight.
At length, Eugenic called
i nm getting tired Of this Captain Ham,
ilton. You can nerer oyertnke me; but
stop where you arc, und will come 10
youn
Hamilton paused, and soon beheld his in-
amorn,a swiftly approaching. Az she drew
nearer. however, she glided along more
ieisurcly and coquestishly. All, momens
Of thrilling rapture 10 tho lover, when be
watched thot magnificent creature coming