The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-10-23
Fr From Harper's Monthly.
GIatilSe ann tBt Contrabaaa
-----~->>--7~-----~--- ID .g.
. A TALE oF THE PRESENT WAR
TCoNCLUDED. |

vehement voice-'Clotilde, do you
not see that I have no power to act
blamelessly for you, without doing
you perhaps as great an injury as
he is plotting?
How why?' with her innocent
large eyes lifted in amaze-a look
which sent a sob up from that 10y
al, honest heart.
'Why?' Because the worlds vile;
because if Antoine Legrande can
not visit you in your unprotected
state, how can 1?
Her lips quivered, her courage
waned. ,
He went on hurrledly, speaking
as if every word hurt him as it
struck upon her. Z
How can 1 help you but in
flight? And-and-oh Clotilde |
do not say this selfishly. Heaven
is my witness, that if by utter self
abnegation l could serve you best,
[ would not hesitate a moment !;
but it is only by asking you to en-
ter into bonds-from which you
may shudder away as abhorrently
as from those we have discussed
it is only in this manner that | can
have power to serve YOU
She shrank into the farthest
depths of the couch, and burst in.
to tears, sobbing with q desolate
wall of anguish, which clearly evin'
ced her feeling. Awhile spasm o,
some sharp agony crossed his fea
lures. Once or twice he put his
hand to his head, setting his teet[
hard in the vain effort of control
At length she turned toward him
Monsieur Ralston, never would
l return such generous devotion
such chivalrous honor, as 10 give {
cold heart; better to
lie broke in, eagerly, ----
'Clotilde, do not speak Of that
do not think of me; only-only i
you can allow me to bestow my
name upon you, and thus give MI
the power to save, 1 shall not have
lived in vain, and the future viii
not be utterly unhappy whateve1
comes. In all my life you are th'
only woman who has ever touched
my heart. l love you, Clotilde.' -
This modest and simple avowal
with its tender humility of gener
Jus manhood, stood out in strong
contrast to the passionate pleading
of Legrande. And yet, and yet
oh strange mystery Of the human
heart she did not love this man
lie had watched her eagerly II
this last appeal, but her No, no;
cannot in sad and pleading ac
cents, convinced him. lie rose tx
go. Approaching her he said
'Mademoiselle, 1 shall continue tt
watch over you. have now NJ
other object in life. 1t shall be n.y.
care to divert whatever i'll from yoi
1 cam
The days went on. Closer ant
closer drew the subtle snare. Gov
ernmcnt agents tracked her foot
steps, and even some of her mos
intimate friends began to look cold
ly upon her as spy and a traitor
In the meantime Icgrande piled hi,
suit indefatigably, leaving one link
in the chain yet to be forged-tht
removal of Madame Marrais, hel
dame de compagnie. Itwas toWarG
the end of the month, when al
these horrors seemed to approach
elimination, that she received {
note containing this briefsentence
"Do not fail to be present at the ball o
Madame Rs tonight. Ralston:"
i Her implicit confidence ia Mr.
Ralston was clearly evinced by hel
unhesitating compliance with this
urgent Injunction. She had little
doubtthat he had discovered some
thing farther, and that her pres
ence was a necessity. Surrounded
by group of young officers, who
were still enchanted with la bell,
traitresSe notwithstanding the sig
nifcant Q. S. A. upon their uni. il
forms, and with Monsieur Leerandt