The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-05-21
TEST OF LOVE.
A Tale of NapOIeOnss Time.

The Emperor Napoleon had, on one occd-
sion, after an audience with the foreign min
listers, remained conversing with Josephine
in the deep recess of a window which over
looked the gardens of Fontainbeau. They
were interrupted by the entrance of one of
his officers the Chevaler de Mervile who
bowling said:
Sire. a young woman from Lyons, has been
waiting hours for an opportunity to see you.'
why was she not admitted ere this 2 ask
ed Napoleon hastily.
Your Majesty forgets that the Austrian
Ambassador has just departed
'Ah, l had forgotten A young woman2-
What's her business with me 2
Some petition, believe, Sire, answered
de Merville.
well. WELL show her into my presence
said the Emperor, looking at Josephine with
a smile.
The officer retired but soon he was in
the corridor, with lady hanging on his arm,
whose face, as much as could be seen was
very beautiful. She trembled as she APP
preached the door.
sMademoiselle,' whispered her guide, and
! pressing her hand, take courage. but prompt
/ ly answer Whatever questions the Emperor
! asks He detests hesitation.' Then ushering
her into the spacious apartment, he bowed
aud retired.
The trembling girl, seeing Napoleon, on
whom her Iondest hopes depended, forgot her.
self and her timidlty-she thought of another.
Throwing herselfat the feet of Napoleon, she
exclaimed. in voice choked with emotion:
Mercy Sire. sue for mercy and pardon.
She could articuIate no more.
Josephine stepped from her partial conceal
nett, and approaching the group, contributed
more Of her sweet and sympathizing words
OF encouragement, 10 restore the courage OF
the young petitioner, than even the Emperor,
by the graciousness Of his manner, as he babe
her arise.
Your petition Mademoiselle,' said he.
Henrietta ,rmand, (for that was her name)
looked imporingly at the Emperor, and ex-
'Ah, Sire | ask pardon for Louis Della
MARIE, who is condemned to be shot on the
morrow. Oh! grant him your royal par
don'
A cloud gathered on the brow Of Napoleon
as he interrupted her with
"A deserter MISUNDERSTANDING has twice
deserted. No: he must be made an example
to the remainder of the regiment
Gut the cause Of his desertionp cried Hen
riette in agony, he was compelled, soreIy
against his will, to join the army
what was the cause OF his desertion p in
terTupted Napoleon.
Two eeks SINCE answered Henriette, she
received news that an only remaining parent
his mother, Sire, was on her death bed anC
longed day and night TO behold her son again
, Louis knew that relief from his post was i'm
possible. His mind was filled with on
thought, that she might not close her eye
forever ere they rested on the son she love-
so fond,y'
Did she die? asked the Empress. witt
interest.
No, madame replied Henriette she a
I last recovered. But hardly had Louis re
e ceived her blessing and been folded in he
: arms, ere he was torn from her grasp by tn
. officers of justice, and dragged hither. Oh
= must he die Mercy, Sire, beseech you
'Mademoisele,' said Napoleon, apparent.
: softened, this was the second ottence-nam
{ the first; you omitted that
! 1t was answered Henr.ette. tcsitatin!
and cOloring-'It was-that he heard that
was to marry Conrad Ferrand, whom detes
: as much as he does added Henriette, wit
naivette.
Are you his sister, that you feel so grea
an interest in his fate 2 asked the Emperor.
u Oh no, Sire said Henrietta, her Lowell,
d cheek assuming a still deeper hue Of the rose
?, Il am only has cousin
q Oh only his cousin repeated Napoleon
CHANGING at Josephine with halt suppresse,
smile.
: oh Sire cried Henrietta, 'recollect til
: anguish of his widowed mother, when she re
5. fleets that the affection of her son for her, j
!, the cause of his death. What she contin
ued, can do to save him ?'-and the poo
: girl forgetting the presence of royalty, burs
d into tears. The kind hearted Josephin
l. glanced at the Emperor with an expression G
pity and sympathy she noticed the working
of his face, and felt at once that it was yer
uncertain whether Louis Delamatre was shO
= the next morning.
g Napoleon approached the weeping girl
she hastily looked up and dried her tears.
'MadeInoiselIe,' said he, would you CIV
your life for his? Would you. could Loui
! Delamarre be restored to life, liberty and hi
Il mother p
, Henrctte started back, turned deadly pale
:, looked fxedly at the Emperor moment, the
turning away, she buried her face in he
hands. After a silence Of some moment.
e Henrietta looked up. She was still dead
/. pale, but an air of firm determination reste
;, upon her face. 4 am l0itLiRg,' said she, i
: a very low but calm voice.
/ Napoleon looked at her with surprise as
&c he had not expected so ready an acquiescenc
III in his proposal.
n 4 will see you again, said he. In tn
. meantime accept such apartment for your &C
}! commodarion us shall direct.
So saying the Emperor himself escorte
is her to the door, and whispering in the ear q
$ De Merville, resigned her to his care
to Henrette stood alone in a spacious, mag
niicent apartment Hours passed unobser'
l. ed SO intensely was she absorbed in reveri
10 A small folded paper was tightly grasped
% one hand. On it was traced these words
LA L., ~