The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-03-17
Srltrtra Sturu.
Napoleons Merov.

Napoleon was conversnp with Jose.
Phine' when one of his officers entered
and announced a young woman from
Lyons,
What is her business with mer
Some pettion,' answered de Melville,
the officer.
me oiflcer soon re appeared, with a
lady leaning upon his arm, whose face.
rs much rs could be scanned, through the
thick folds Of a veil, was very beautiful.
one ,rT'n''ed as she approached the door
MademoiselIe,' whispered her guide
kindly, take courage, but answer prompt.
~ every question the emperor proposes {:
he de.ests hestation.' Then usherinp her
'hto the spacious apartment, he bowed
and retired.
Tie trembling girl, perceiving Napole-
on, on whom her tondest hopes depended
forget her .imidity she thought only Of
another. Throwing herself at the feet Of
Napoleon, she exclaimed in voice cbok
M with emotion Mercy, sire sue
for Mercy and PARDON She could artic
ulate no more.
Josephine stepped from her partial
concea'nen and then approaching, con.
'tlouted more 10y her sympathsing words
"f encouragc'nents to restore the courage
"t the petitioner than even the Emperor
T.! his gracious manner, rs he bade her
. ne.
Your petition, Malemoiselle,' said he.
Henrietta Armend Qor that was her
"sn") looked lmplor;ngIy at the Empe
ror, and exclaimed 'Ah sire, | ask pa. .
don for Louis Delmarre, who is condemn
cl l" hc shot on Tomorrow. Oh, grant
him your roy aI pardon !,
A cloud gathered on Napoleon's brow
.. hc interrupted her with, a deserter,
M,d"in"iscllr; he has twice deserted
w. II" must oe maze an example for the
REMAINDER OF the regiment
but the cause of his descrton !! cried
!i"nr'"'tH, in agony. lie was compelled
I" J"n tle army against his wii.'
What re the causes Of his desertion!'
interrupted Napoleon.
'l"" weeks since, answered Henrietta
'hr Received news that an only remaining
parent, a mother, sire, was on her death,
"d. a"d longing day and nigh, to be
mod her sou. Louis knew that RELIEF or
r"Ie'>r from his post WAS impossib!e.-
lis nind was filed with one thought
that she NIGH, close her eyes forever, ere
!l"y rested on y son she 10, ed SO foudlv.'
ID! .hc die I asked the Empress, with
interest.
'N", m"lsm,' replied Henrietta, she
At last recovered. But hardly had Loui,
r''"vr'i her blessing, been folded in her
arms, ere he was torn from her grasp py
'h" officer Of justice, and dragged hllher.
Oh must he die! Mercy, sire, beseech
You"
M 'drmoi,cl'c, said Napoleon. apparent
" suftrnc,l, this is the second offence -
name the first; YOU omitted that
4. 1T WA, said she, hesitating and color
ms. IT "as-that he heard | was to be
married to Conrad Ferant, whom | Letest
=, much rs he does answered Henrietta,
With navcte.
Are YOU his sister, that he feels so
sr"M sn interest in your fate asked the
Emperor.
oh no. Sire sad Henrietta, her lovely
checks assuming still deeper hue Of the
r,s", i am only cousin
All. only coasin,' repeated Napo
leon, ginncing at Josephine with sup.
pressed smile.
OH, sire, said Henrietta, 'recollect the
anguish OF his widowed mother when she
rrcoIiects that the affection Of her son for
her Is the cause Of his death. What she
continued, 'can ! do To save him z and
the poor girl forgetting the presence OF
olaiiy, burst into tears. The kindheart
ei Josephine glanced at the Emperor
With eyes expressive Of pity aDd sympa-
thy. She noticed the workings Of his
face, aud felt at once that il WAS very un-
certain whether Louis Delmarre was to
be shot the next morning.
Napoleon approached the weeping girl.
She hastily looked up aud dried her tears.
'Madenoselle, said be, would you give
yonr life f"r his I Would you die, could
LOUIS Delmarre be restored TO liberty and
his motherf'
Henrietta startled back, deadly pale,
looked fixedly at tie Emperor for mo.
nent, then turning away she buried her
face IN her hands.
After silence Of some minutes, Hen.
rie.ta looked up: j AIN wiling said she,
in very low voice. Napoleon locked at
her in surprise, rs il he had not auticipa.
ted so ready an answer to his proposal
Il will see you again. said he, 10 the
meantime accept such accommodation as
shall direct
As soon rs the door was closed upon
the fair petitioner. Napoleon walked to
the window against which Josephine was
leaning. and said. y see how it is : Louis
Delmarre is the lover Of this young girl.
True 10 woman's nature, she has braved
difficulty and danger to beg his release.
'iiow strong mast be tds love she
bears for him., said the Empress.
'Ah J returned he, Il have mind to
sui Acct this love 10 n seyeref Lest Much