Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-01-06


ment were as attentive az ever; indeed,
more so. for she grew pretlier daily Pierre,
even before the army reached the frontiers,
heard from those who had len the village la
ter than himself. that this or that gallant was
always with Nanettc. ard the gossirs said IL
woald be match How cceld he help be-
ing little jeslousg And when, later By
six months. and just before the Russian terrific
ry was invaded. lie me, an Ola acquaintance
from the village, and heard hat the son Of a
rich notary was dying for hcr. Is IL strange
that he began 10 fear be would Yet loose his
beautiful Xanettc He had heard 50 nuch
Of woman's Inconsistency. especially when
young and wealthy suitcr vas the rival, that
he trcmbled for her fidelity
All know the horrors of that campaign in
Russia. OF the aa.f million ssho iollowes. Ma
poleon into tic hostile territory. not q 1.-THE
came back alive. OF these. however. Latonr
was one Yet he almost w:shs1 Ne had perish
cd in the Eats SHOWS, for he ha lost an arm and
tliat too, without gaining the cross Of the lie.
gion Of Honor. No, that lie did not deserve
it; but. in that awful retreat, there was no
lime for the Emperor to thils of bcstowing
savors. Slowly. and alnost in rugs, like
thousands Of others La.our begged bis way
back to his native village.
1t was q bright morning Ia autumn, more
than year after Latours departure, when
one Of the village gossips stamped minute
at the window Of the cottage where Nanetto
and her mother lwelt
"Nho do you think has come back Z" she
said eIatour himself. liz arrived yester-
day afternoon.
At the announcement Of Ter lovers return,
Nancttes heart leapcd with joy; bai when
she heard he bad been back so long without
coming to see her. her spirits sank, for she
had continued to love the absent soldier. in
spite Of the notary's son and her hundred
other admirers
'.lIeis come beck il sorry plight though
continued the gossip, 'lame. beggar, and
with but one arm. He i sick At heart. too,
and 80 ashamed that he win not show him.
self; be Gays he only wishes to die; he is
not 1T to live with the young and happy"
Poor Nanettc! Her heart was full Of pity
for her lover. She turned aside to conceal
her tears. Yet still she wondered why he
had net como to see her, and she felt almost
angry again when she thought Of it.
''He tells me news, too which never kncw
before, you are SO sly about it, Nanette. lie
says you are 10 n.arry the netary'a son.
do believe from the way be spoke, ho had
never got over his oil love fyr you; when be
spoke of the notasy's son he sighed looking
at his tattered garments, his stump of az :.rm
and bis leg lame with travel.
Nanette heard 10 more, Sac unders TODD
all now. She left her motbsr 10 entertain
the gossip, and hnrrJiug @ss.stairs sisirod
herself in her hoidy garments; and then, Sc
Letting the choicest traits from their garden,
and filling her apron with flowers, she hur.
rie1 70 The cottage OF Pierre's family
Never had she looked mere charming Her
white head dress. falling lew on her Shout
ders, relieved her dark trcsses, and added
greater effect to her brilliant LACK eyes \
handkerchief, wcrn around her neck. modest
" concealed her swelling bust. Her arms,
rounded and mellow as antique marble were
bare almost to the shoulder; in word. III :
ways beautiful, her dress and her high spirits
now made her perfectly bewitching
"Who's there Z" said voice as she knock
cd
She knew that tho family were all abroad
at this hour at their work, and that the voice
must be Pierrc's, else shc woald scarcely
have recognized it, so DISCONTINUED and so
hopeless was the tone once SO happy and
bright. But she knew magic, she believed,
to call back all its old sweetness.
sit is p she answered, Disgusting her
voice. and as she thought Of the joyful sur
prise she had in store for Pierre, she arcEly
smiled
Sue heard muttcred growl inside, and
some one coming to the door "Oh the
great, Jealous bear" she said to herself,
how lie hates TO be disturbed hut we shall
see"
When the door opened and the laughing
girl stood before him. Pierre staggered back
Surprise commended with gloom in his features
but the smile of Nanettc gradually re assured
him. At last he stammcrcd out You here
Naneito? What does it meant"
The happy girl read in every look of tha;
haggard face how truly Pierre loved her, and
she could no longer contain herself but speak
Ing amid smiles and tears, while she put down
her basket Of fruit und emp,ied her flowers
, on the table before him, said at means
!, dear Pierre that as you WON'T come TO see
me, have come to see YOU; and, as | heard
that you were i'll and tired, have brought all
these fruits ard flowers for your acceptance
yes. and myself too, il you will have me-
And she weeping. claspcd him III her arms
"What and do you love poor Pierre still
and you won't have the notary's sonY' he
, marmured in amazcment.
rNo will have no one hut you. Oh
how could you think | could desert you p
Don't you believe. dear Pierre, that We wo-
men can be constant, as well as YOU men y
"lsut Nanc,te. said Pierre, looking at bis
stump, Al am mainicd now--and- aud have
como back without my cross
mo, You have not, said she, touching the
mangled shoulder Here is your cross Of
the Legion Of Honor: and a nobler one than
y piece of mere ribbon ! do believe she
said bursting into tears, shat shall love
you all tie better Far having lost your arm"
Happiness soon restored tho bloom to
Pierres checks, aud, on the morning Of his
marriage, he looked the handsomest man in
the whole gay company. Nor was bis bride
Tho n,I, ~, nh tl,n,fsbt tteat he Ia