The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-21

| she has brayed difficulty and danger to beg
for his release" ga .,.>,.s.e,...f :
/ How strong must be the love she bears
| Tor him said the empress : I z
| "Ahlp returned he, 'I have a mind to
subject this same love to a severe test. Much
L.doubt whether she will give her life for him.
Nevertheless, will see.n !~ aE
| z" Sire" cried Josephine, "you are not
serious Louis certainly can be pardoned
without the death Of Henriette' @
Napoleon drew her nearer the window, and
conversed in low voice. tI4 ~,
4 a....Fr* 4 u strsr.
Hcnriettc stood alone in magnificent
apartment. Hours passed unobserved, SO
intensely was she absorbed in reverie A
small folded paper was tightly grasped in her
small hand. On it were traced these words:
"a deserter is condemned by the laws of the
army to suffer death. If you wish Louis
| Delamaire restored to liberty, the means arc
| IN your power Ere day dawns he may bo
on ms way % join his mother, whom he SO
tmuch loves" r.
~ All !" murmured Henriette, " do not + love
| 5lns tao? Pressing her hands upon her heart,
| ~ II 70 still its tumuItuous beating she paced
! The apartment The door opened, and Cheva-
icr dc Mervle entered He paused ere he
articalatcd, Mademoiselle" a@H"
| Dc Mervillc appeared to comprehend the
import of her words He looked upon her in
reverence as well as admiration, as she stood
wth the high resolve impressed on her beauti-
1ul brow. Follow me- Mademoiselle," said
he They traverscd long corridors and de-
scending a staircase, quickly reached court
communicating with the guard house En-
tcrlnS this, Henriette was ushered by her guide
lr.o small apartment, where she soon was
| Gh to herself .. ...... ..a.
On chair was flung a uniform of the reg-
lnont to which Louis belonged On the table
| lay large pumcd cap. Henriette compre-
| hended all in a moment Quickly habiting
| herself IN the uniform, she stood before the
| nnTor, and gathering up her beautiful brown
| Tefs"S ~ u knot, placed the cap upon her
mead. She almost uttered cry at the success
| Of her transformation. She knew that she was
10 be led TO the fatal ground at the mornings
dawn. The bullet which would have struck
Louis to the heart, would pierce her heart
but she shrunk not back. Love triumphed
over the timid woman's nature "Lous's
mother wall bless me in heart" she whispered,
Louis himself win never forget mel All, often
has he swore he loved me better than all things
| besides. Drawing a lock of raven hair from
her bosom, she pressed it to her lips, then
brcathcd Il prayer to heaven
Morning dawncd The sound of footsteps
aroused Henriettc. She started up, graspsd
tn. band of hair, awaiting the summons The
| door opeted; and two soldiers entered, re-
| peating the name of Louis DeIamaITe, they
| suddenly led her forth to die The soldiers.
whose bullets were intended to pierce the
| heart OF Louis had taken their stand, and only
| awaited the word Of command from the EN-
| peror, who was stationed at the window COM
| Inauding view of the whole scene
"Ohl" cried Josephine, who stood by him,
| but concealed by the window drapery from the
view Of those below, "Oh, sir, can endure il
| 40 longer 1t seems too much like a dreadful
reality. Mark the devoted girl. No shrinking
back. See she seems calmly awaiting the
fatal moment"
stop cried the Emperor from the win
dow, Louis Delamarro is pardoned re-
yoke his sentence"
\ loud burst Of applause from the lips of
the soldiers followed ibis announcement. Not
one Of them but loved and respected their COM
rade. The next moment, ere they could press
around to congratulate the supposed Louis, De
MuryILlc had eagerly drawn the bewildered
homiettc through the crowd, back to the cell
! II m which she had emerged but a few mo-
ments before.
| "Resume your dress again, Mademoiselle,"
| Emperor wishes to see you; will return soon"
HcnnCtte was like one in dream. but
cam Of delicious hope thrilled her soul she
ic't thc dawnings Of happiness break upon her
heart Soon again rcsuming her pretty rustic
| hahiImcnts, De Mcrvillc rcappcarcd, and once
| again she trod the audience room Of the en-.
pcror. Lifting her eyes from the ground a.
| the lofty door swung open, she behcld Louis
An exclamation Of joy burst from the lips Of
b,th as regardless Of the presence of others,
chCy rushed into each others arms
Napoleon stepped forward: Louis Della
MARIE" "yOu have Just heard from nv lips
the tale Of this lovely girls devotion and cour-
age DO You love her as she descrvcsg"
81 could die for her answered Louis
proudly.
Well, uclI criod the emperor, this severe
| o,,t of dnc will suffice So dutml son, 30
ailhlul q lover, will doubtless make the best
Of husbands Gou, Lieutenant Louis Della
nnrr., are discharged from your regiment
Return 10 yeur native valley, with Hcnriette
as your bride E
Here said the benevolent Josephine,
emerging from the recessed window, "here
ave one hundred louis d'ors, rs the marriage
dowry Of IIcnrictte,''
A charming blush suffused the cheek Of the
beautiful girl rs she received the purse from
tho land Of the empress.
Long live Napoleon exclaimed Louis, "a
with q heart TOO foil Of grateful emotion for
further uttcrbncc, he took the hand Of Hen
| ricttc, and making graceful obeisance, quilted
| the apartment.
('AIGETT ---Ak - infnr1nal save yho E,t.-