Squatter sovereign., 1856-10-14


rietta looked up; an air of fixed de,ermi-
nation rested upon her face.
Il am willing" she said in low voice.
Napoleon looked at her in surprise, as
if he had not anticipated so ready an al
smer to his proposal.
IL will seeyou again" said he; in the
meantime, accept such apartments for your
accommodation as shall Direct
AS soon as The door was closed upon
the fair petitioner, Napoleon walked to the
window, against which Josephine was
leaning, and said:
II see how it is; Louis Delmarre is the
lover Of this young girl. True to woman's
nature, she has braved difficulties and
danger TO beg for bis release"
How strong must be the love she bears
for him." said the Empress.
'Ah!" returned he, Il have mind TO
suEjcct this love to a severe test. Much /
doubt whether she viii give her life for
him. Nevertheless, will see.''
Sure" cried Josa phine, 'you are not
serious? Louis certainly can be parioned
without the death of Henrietta"
Napoleon drew her near the window.
and they conversed in a low voice.
Henrietta stood alone in magnificent
apartment Hours passed unobserved, so
intensity was a note grasped in her small
hand. On it We're traced the following
! words:
"a deserter is condemned by the laws
| of the army 10 suffer death. IF you wish
Deln ARE restored to liberty, the means
are in your power. Ere day dawns he
may be on his way to see his mother whom
he so much loves"
"ai,," Inurmured Henrietta, .'do not
love him too
Pressing her hands upon her hear, as if
to still It's tunutuous beating, she paced
the apartment The door opened and the
Chevalier de Merville entered. He paus-
| ed ere he aIticulated.
''Mademoisele.
81 AIN ready" replied Henrietta, "my
decision is made"
De Mervilie seemed to comprehend lie
import of her words. He looked up.n
Der with reverence as well as adln.ratiou,
as she stood with the high resolves ia,-
| pressed upon her beautiful brow
Follow me Mademoiselie,' said lie.
They travelled long corridors and nu-
mefous suits OF snterp apartments, and
descending stair case, quickly reached
an outer court communicating with tie
guard-house Entering this, Henrietta
was ushered by her guide into small
apartment, where she was soon left to her
self
On chair hung a uniform of the regi-
ment to which Louis belonged. On tu-
bic lay large piumed cap. Henrietta
comprehended all in moment. Quickly
/ Tia biting herself In the unIiorln she stood
before the mirror, and gathered up Eer
beautiful tresses IN knol, placed ,t.e CD
on her mead.
She almost uttered cry of JOY at tie
success Of heT transformation. She knew
that she was 10 be led to the fatal ground
at Tie mornings dawn. The bullet which
would have struck LOUIS TO the heart, was
| 10 6e the messenger OF death to her own,
but she shruak not back. Love triu,nphed
| over the timid woman's nature.
at
heart" she whispered. ..Louls himself
will never forget me. And often has he
sworn that he loved me better than all
else beside"
Drawing a lock of raven hair from her
bosom. she pressed j, to her lips. and then
brealhed prayer to heaven.
Morning dawned. The sound OF foot
men aroused Henrietta. She started up,
grasped the band of hair, and awaited the
summons. The door opened and two SOL
diers entered; repeating the name OF
Louis Dslaaarre, they suddenly led her
forth to die. The soldiers whose bullets
were TO pierce the heart of Louis, had
their stand, and only awaited the word oi
command from the Emperor. who was Sta
toned at the window, commanding view
| of the whole scene.
20" cried Josephine. who stood by him
but concealed by the window drapery from
the view OF those below-"O, sire, CAT
endure it no longer, il seems TOO rnuct
like dreadful reality. Mark the derotet
girl. No shrinking back See. sh.
seems calmly awaiting ti.e5fatai onset.
Stop said t.e E.aefsr ee 81
window. .-LoLss Dei.safre IS pasdossed
revoke his sentence =
! a lsud hnrs, Of applause from the lin