The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-08-09

could de'ain her, she rushed through the
flames. A minute, which seemed an age oi
agonizing suspence. elapsed, and Marguerite
reappeared, dragging forth her pious burden,
and forming with her own body a rampant
against the flames. Scarcely had she allowed
the old woman to fall into the arms of some
one ready 10 receive her, when the heroic girl
sunk down herself inanimate.
when she opened her eyes,' continued
the cu:ate, ''she was IN apartment in nv
house, whittier | caused her TO be carried =
Gertrude and had watched for three days
and three nights by her bed, awaiting the mo-
ment of returning consciousness. Her first
sensation was that OF torturing pain in her
face. She raised her hand to H. and felt that
1t was so enveloped in bandages as to leave
only the mouth and eyes free. \ cry escaped
her lips. "Oh remember the storm-the
flames; | am dis6gured for life-is it not sou
Gertrude and were silent. It was but too
true; the devouring element. leaving her BODY,
protected by her wet clothes, untouched, had
seized on her face The beauty of feature
and delicacy of complexion, which had pro-
cured for her the graceful sotriquet, were to-
tally destroyed.
Until the bandages were removed, which
the surgeon did not as yet Judge it prudent
to do, he could not tell the extent of the disfg-
urement, but that it would be very great was
certain. Our silence. and the tears which we
could not repress, acquainted the poor child
with her misfortune. She raised her eyes to
heaven with touching expression of resig-
nation. at is Thy will, my Cod she said,
but let not Juan see me thus
juan repeated Gertrude; ave shall soon
embrace him.
''Is he coming?''
tUII
letter to Marguerite, which the latter read
with eagerness. It was written by the hand
of one of his comrades, and informed them
that Juan, who had received severe wound
at the seige of Zaatcna. was now convalescent
in the hospital; had obtained reward for
his services, a cross of merit, his discharge
and pension and would be with them in ten
or twelve days at farthest.
Having finished reading the letter, Margue
rite fell into profound reverie, from which
neither Gertrude's fond caresses nor my at
tempts at consolation, could arouse her. ooh,
sir said she at last 'it is not indeed it is not
for It's own sake that value beauty, but
how can Juan love me when he sees me in this
state?" AT that moment the surgeon entered
and having felt his patients pulse, he began
silently to remove the bandages. As soon as
Marguerite felt that her wounds were exposed,
she asked for mirror.
mot vet, my child; not to day said the
the doctor. She tried to raise her hand to
feel her face Hold her arms down. cried
the surgeon to the old woman and myself We
did so, involuntarily turning our eyes from
the sight of those swollen and mutilated fea
lures once SO lovely.
Marguerite saw and understood our move
ment. 'Is it not so, sir?' she said to me
calmly: will it not be impossible for him tc
: love me-"
Nine days passed on the wounds were reg
ularly dressed. and were now nearly cicatri
sed The tenth day was Juan's expected re-
turn: but no one venuured to speak of it
Early in the morning, Marguerite rose anC
prepared to go out. saying that walk in the
fresh air would do her good. | offered to ae
company her.
mo, thank you, SIR" she said; my good
mother alone will come with me- And with
one hand slightly leaning on Gertrude's arm
while the other held small package, she wen
out. They walked towards Juan's rustic seat
but very slowly, for the convalescent was We
very weak.
Arrived there, she knelt down, and after
short silent PRAYER, she turned to Gertrude
and embracing her said--"Bless your daugh
ter, dear mother, for the last time; you will
never see her again"
NV hat do you mean my child!
1.-The truth. l am going away. You vii
say good bye for me to him. mother; and tel
him it is my very love for him that forces m,
to fly
but, dear one," said Gertrude, detainins
her, "you wrong our Jnan; he has nobl,
heart and he will love you all the better 70
these noble sears, when he hears that it wa
in saving me from a dreadful death. you re
ceived them.
He has noble heart" replied the girl
land | know that he would marry me, an
try to make me happy; but how could | en-
dure his averted looks-his sorrow? No, nc
shall suffer much less in suffering alone
Just then, we'll known bark was heard
and large white dog rushed out Of the wood
path. "CeSar!' cried Gertrude, "Where
your master?''
..Here he is" replied an agitated voice; an
holding one end of cord. while the othe
was fastened to Caesars collar. a soldier ar
pesred. 'M3ther! are you here? Where
Marguerite? Why don't you come and en-
brace your poor blind wanderer?''
"Blindr' exclaimed Marguerite; and fxin
her eyes ON her 5etro,hed she saw that his W;
covered with bandage, l cannot discribe Il
emotions Of all three; suffice il to saw that aft
an incredible number Of embraces, Gertrut
and her two children returned TO my hous
and we passed delightful evening.
Here the curate stopped, and thought h
tale was ended.
Well said, Il suppose the blind wa
rior and his betroched-stlll. in his imagin
ton. blooming in all her youthful charms
were speedily uniied?''
THEY were" he replied. Il was I W
married them; bat have some what more
hell you of them. Their cottage, BY The W
ling aid of all the villagers. was soon rebu
r and they moved into it, Their circumstanc
! were very comfortable. and..Juan support
; his sinfirmity-csu>ed. he told me. by the e
uinSion OF a rnine=with the utmost cheerf,