Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-03-03


Henrietta stool alone in 4 magnificent apart
ment. Hours passed unobserved, so intensely
was she absorbed in revere; smal! folded pa
per w.s tightly graSped in her small hand. On
it were traced these words " A deSerter is con-
denned by the laws Of the army to suffer death.
If YOU wish Delmarre restored to liberty. the
means are in your power. Ere day dawns he
m1y lie on his way to join his mother whom he
so m,lcir loves"
All" rlurmurcd Henrietta, " do not | love
him too?" Pressing her hands upon her heart,
as if to still its tunultuoui breathing, shs paced
the apartment. The door opened, hid the
Cheval T dc Mcrville entered. He paused ere
he articulated " Mademui>elle."
81 ain ready" replied Henrietta; "my de-
ciSn is made"
De Merviilc appearc;! to comprehend the inn
FOR. ut her words. lie looked upon her with
reyrlriscc as well as admiration, as she stood
with tie high resolve impressed upon her beau
ti;ul brow, ssFollow me, Aa,lemoiselle," said he.
They travcrscd long corridors and numerous
suits of superb apartments; and descending a
staircase, quickly reached ali outer court couI-
nlu:llc sting with the guard-house Entering
this, Henrietta WAS ushered by her guide into
Stn;lll apar rtucHt, "Acte Sne "aS sooi iSi' "
herself.
On chair was flung uniform of The rcsi-
mant to which Louis belonged. On table lay
a large plumcd cap Henrietta compreheadei
all in moment.
Quickly habiting herself in the uniform. she
stcr"l before the mirror, and gathering up her
beautiful brown trcSseS into knot, placed tue
cap ON her head She almost uttered Il cry OF
ioy at the success uf her transformation. She
knew that she was to be led to tue fatal ground
at the mornings dawn. The bullet which
would have struck Louis to the heart was to bc
death to her own, but she shrunk not back.
1--we ;riumphetl over the tilnid womanS nature.
- LnliS'< mother will bless me III her heart, ="
she whispered " Louis himself will never for
ret me- And often has he sworn that he loved
me better than ali else beside" Drawing
lock of raven hair from her bosom she pressed
it to her lips, and tl,eu breathed prayer to
heaven.
Morning dawncd. The sound of footmen
aroused Henrietta. She started up. graSpcd the
band of ilair awaiting his summons. The door
opened and two soldiers entered repeating the
name of Louis Delmarre; they suddenly led
her forth to die The soldiers whose bullet
were to pierce the heart of Louis lad taken
their stand, and only awaited the command
from the Emperor, who was stationed at the
window, commanding view Of the whole
scene.
"Oh," cried Josephine, who stood by him,
but concealed by the window drapcry from the
view of those below, "Oh, sire, can endure
it no longer; it seems SD much like dreadful
reality. Mark the devoted girl! No shrinking
back See, she seems calmly awaiting the fatal
mulMcntr'
"Stop!" cried the Emperor from the window.
Louis Dclnarre is pardoncd l revoke his
sentence"
\ l,,i burst of applause from the lips OF the
soldiers followed this announcement Not one
of them but loved and respected their comrade.
The next moment, ere they could press around
to congratulate the supposed Louis, De Merville
had earrrrly drawn tile bewildered Henrietta
through the crowd, back to the cell from which
she had emerged but few moments before.
"Resume your dress again, Madelnoiselle /;
lose no time; the Emperor wishes to see you.
will return soon."
Henrietta vas like one in dream, hut a
CLEAN of delicious hope thrilled her soul she
felt the dawning of happiness break upon her
heart. Soon again rcsulning her pretty rustic
linraments Dc Merrille re-appeared, and once
again she trod tie auiience-ruom Of the Emre-
ror. Lifting Ler eyes from the ground as the
lofty door swung open, she behe!l Louis. An
exclamation of joy burst from the lips Of both,
a, regardless Of others, they rushed into each
others arms.
Napoleon stepped forward.
Louis Delmarre," said he, you have just
heard from my lips the tale Of this lovely girls
devotion and courage. DO you love her as she
deicrves2"
"l could die for her." answered Louis,
proudly.
"Wel, wc''," cried the Emperor, "tkis test
of one will suffice So dutiful son, so faithful
lover, will make the best Of husbands. You,
Lieutenant Louis Delmarrc, are discharged from
your regiment. Return to your native valley
with Henrietta as your bride"
"lJcre," said the benevolent Josephine, en-
erninc from til. recessed widow, here are one
hundred louis d'ors as the marriage dowry,
Henrietta"
A charming blush suifused the cheek of the
beautiful girl as she received the purse from
the hand of the Empress.
"Long live Napoleon" exclaimed l,onis, as
w:.h heart too full Of grateful emotion for
further ut:erance, lie took the hand OF Henri
eta, and making graceful obeisance, quilted
the apartment.