American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-07-19

tguerlte. You promised to be mine; | am
going away for some years, perhaps forev-
lleri ii is righkADAt you should be ffeezI
give you back your VOW a...s
s'And /, said the girl, will not take it
back. Whether our next meeting Juan,
will be hereior in that botter world 10
which, trust we are both looking, l will
never marry any one but YOU
The young man pressed her hand in 81
lence. But my motber! he said at length,
while two unwonted tears rolled down his
checks; she is old, infrm, unable 10 work
for her support
Your mother, JUAN interrupted Mar
guerite, 'is' she not henceforlh mine? So
long as God gives me strength TO work,
our mother shall not want home
And so, with mutual blessings and fond
tears, they parted.
Caesar followed his master to the wars,
and Gertrude, on the day of Juan's de-
panure, took up her abode in Marguerite's
cottage. The old woman managed the
domestic affairs, while the young one car
ried her milk, butter, eggs, and poultry TO
market. In he.evening, as they sat at
their spinning wheels, their converse ion
naturally turned on Juan: Where is he
.now?-what is he doing while we are
speaking oihm?' Sometimes their ankle
" was assuaged by The arrival of a letter,
filled with hope and tenderness; but al
length one came which increased their sor-
row. 1t bore the stamp of Algeria. Juan
announced that his regiment had Just land
ed in Africa, and was Immediately to
march on the town of Zantcha where
number ofinsurgent Arabs had inrenched
themselves. Some sharp fighting was cx-
pecled, as the rebels were known to be
desperate. Under this affecting intell-
gence, the two women found their only
consolation in religion-in committing their
dear one 10 the care Of God Every day.
on her way to the town, Magueriie was ac-
-cuS;omed TO pause fora few minutes at the
spot where she had first met her bctrothcd,
and where during the happy days of their
courtship, he had raised rustic seat: she
used to kneol beside that simple momcno,
and pray fervently. nor did size every arise
and go on herway without feeling strength
cned and encouraged.
Every evening, on their return, hcranlst
question to Gertrude was: Has Juan writ
emp And the old woman would shake
her head with despairng gesture, which
seemed TO imply, Juan will never write
10 usagainP
One day, as Maguerie was returning
from Bagnares, she was overiaken by a Vi
olent thunder storm. There was no place
of refuge nearer than her own cottage; and
with her garments dripping, and her eyes
nearly blinded by the driving rain, she
FASTENED towards it. What did she see?
A blazing tightening stricken pile, sur
rounded by terrified crowd of villagers.
Mother? cried Maguerite, darling on
wards 'where are YOU?
A cry ofagony from within the burning
cottage was the reply.
Mother, courage! I'll save, or die with
you!, And before TIE astounded specta-
tors could delain- her, she rushed through
the flames. A minute, which seemed an
age of agonizing suspense elapsed, and
Maguerte re-appeared, dragging forth tie
pious burden and forming with her own
body rampant againstthe flames. Scarce
ly had she allowed the woman to fall into
some of the arms ready to receive her, when
I the heroic girl sunk down herself inani-
mate.
When she opened her eyes, continued
the curate, she was in an apartment in my
house, whitherI had caused her to be car
ried. Gertrude and | had watched for
three days and three nights by her bed,
awaiting the moment of returning consci-
BUSINESS. Her first sensation was that of
torturing pain in her face. She raised
her hand to it, and felt that it was so envel-
oped in bandages as 10 leave only the mouth
and eyes free, A cry escaped her lips.
"Oh, | remember the storm-tbe flames;
am disfgured for lifc-is it not so?''
Gertrude and were silent. II was but
too true; the devouiing element, leaving
her body protected by her wet clothes,
untouched, had seized on her face. The
beauty of feature and delicacy of complex
ion, which had procured for her the grace
full sobriquet were totally destroyed. III.
Until the bandages were removed, which
The surgeon did not as yetjudge it pru-
dent TO do, he could not tell the extent OF
the Disagreement, but that it would be
very great was certain. Our silence and
the tears which we could not repress, ac-
quainted the poor child with her misfor-
tune. Sheraised hereyes to heaven with
touching expression of resignation. "It
is Thy will my Cod" she said, "but let
not Juan see me thus. - s5.. p
"Juanl'' repeated Gertrude; "we shall
soon embrace him."
.Is he coming?"
'Tn ten days-see yourself" She
handed letter to ,Maguerite, which the
latter read with eagerness. 1t was writ
ten by the hand Of one of his comrades, and
informed them that Juan. who had receiv-
ed a severe wound at the seige Of Zaatcha,
was now convalescent in hospital; had OBJ
tanned, as reward for bis services, a
cross OF merit. his discharge, and pension,
and would be with them in ten or twelve
days at furthest. l- e -e ..-
Having finished reading the letter Mag
uerite fellinto profound reveric, from
which neither Gertrude's fond caresses nor