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

words, ~ deserter is condemned by the
laws OF the army to suffer dea,h. If YOU
wish DoImarre restored to liberty, the
means are in your power. Ere day dawns
he may be OH his way 10 join his moth.
er whom he so much loves
'AhP murmurcd Henrietta, do not I
love him too = Pressing her hands upon
her heart, AS If to still its tumultuous
breathing, she paced the apartment. The
door opened, and the Chevalier de Mer.
vile entered. He paused ere he articula-
ted Mademoiselle.'
4 am ready replied Henrietta my
decision is made
DE MerviIIe appeared to comprehend
the import Of her words. lie looked up.
on her with reverence as well as admira.
ton, as she stood with the high resolve
Impressed upon her beautiful brow, Fol.
low me, Mademoise'le,' said he. They
traversed long corridors and numerous
suits of superb apartments and descen.
ding a staircase, quickly reached an outer
court communicating with the guard.
house. Entering this, Henrietta was ush
cred by her guide into a small apartment,
| where she was soon left TO herself
On chair was flung a uniform Of the
regiment TO which LOUIS belonged. On
a table lay large plumed cap. Henri
eta comprehended all in a moment.
Quiclily habiting herself in the uniform
! she stood before the mirror, and gathering
mp her beautiful brown tresses into a
knot, placed the cap on her head. She
almost uttered n cry OF JOY at the success
OF her transformation. She knew that
she was TO be led to the fatal ground at
the mornings dawn. The bullet which
would have struck Louis TO the heart was
TO be death to her own, but she shrunk
not back. Love triumphed over the tim.
J i'll woman's nature. 'Louis's mother will
bless me in her heart she Whispered
Louis himself will rever forget me. And
often has lie sworn that he loved me bet.
ter than all else beside Drawing a lock
of raven hair from her bosom she pressed
1t to her lips, and then brea,hed prayer
to heaven,
Morning dawneI. The sound OF foot
men aroused Henrietta. She started up,
grasped the band Of hair, 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 bullets
were to pierce the heart Of Louis had ts
ken their stand, and only awaited the
command from the Emperor, who WAS
stationed at the window, commanding "A
view Of the whole scene.
Oh cried Josephine, who stood by
him, but concealed by the window d.ape.
ry from the view OF those below, .Oh,
sire, can endure it no longer it seems
so much like dreadful reality. Mark
the deyo,ed girl No shrinking back
See, she seems calmly awaiting the fatal
moment y
Stop" cried the Emperor from the
window Louis Delmarre is pardoned.-
! revoke his sentence
A loud burst Of applause from :he lips
ofthe soldiers followed this announcement.
Not one of them but loved and respec-
ted their cOmrade. The next moment,
ere they could press around to congratu.
late the supposed Louis, De Mervile had
eagerly drawn the bewildered Henrietta
through the crowd, back to the cell from
which she had emerged but few mo.
memts before.
Resume your dress again, Madenoi.
selle ; lose no time the Emperor wishes
10 see you. will return SOON
Henrietta WAS like one in a dream, but
CLEAN Of delicious hope thrilled her soul;
she felt the dawning Of happiness break
upon her heart. Soon again resuming
b.r .n.,,, n.
re.appeared, and once again she trod the
audience room Of the Emperor. Lifting
her eyes from the ground rs he lofty door
swung open, she beheld Louis. An ex-
clamaton OF JOY burst from the lips of
both, as regardless Of others, they rushed
into each Others arms.
Napoleon stepped forward.
Louis Delmsrre, said he, you have
just heard from my lips the tale of this
lovely girls devotion and courage. DO
you love her AS she deserves T.
Il could die for her., answered Louis
proudly.
We'll, WE'LL cried the Emperor, this
test Of one will suffice So dutful a son,
so faithful lover, will make the best of
husbands. You, Lieutenant Louis Del
mare, are discharged from your regiment.
Return to your native valley with Henri.
eta as your bride
Here said the benevolent Josephine,
emerging from the recessed window, here
are one hundred .ouis d'ors, as the mar
riage dowry, Henrietta
A charming blush sutfused the cheek
Of the beautiful girl as she received the
purse from the hand Of the Empress.
Long live Napoleon y exclaimed Louis,
as with heart too full Of grateful emo
ton for further ut,erance, he took the
hand Of Henrietta, and making grace
1 fuI nhaiaanca nu;ttal tho ana.,n,a,,