Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-11-27

i
second letter on the table, but stoppe
short as he saw Christine trembling wit
agitation, crunpling heletter in Dor hands
and gazing 6xedly on the table.
..What is the matter. what is the mat
ter 2" said Eugene. Dear Christine. lie
US see that letter? Selfish being that am
I never thought Of it. Let me see VIII
dares to write to you? What does all thi
mean p
And be ran over the letrer hastily.
.Oh, read it aloud, said Christine, sit,
the same to me! Good heavens this i
but justw
Eugene read aloud.
Miss ask nothing-I go away with
out making any terms-I take your broth
er's place; you need him, and no one need.
me- But | am honest and love you, evel
since saw you weep. send you ring o
my mothers. Ifyou have pity upon me, 20,
will take the golden cross, in which is some
of your mothers gray hair, aud which gilt
.ers on your neck; 10 the moonlight Thu
evening you will place in the crevice .
the large yew tree near the branches
will get it tomorrow morning; then yol
will wait two years, and if am not dead,
will bring it back Will you remember
that you swore on the cross ? Farewell"
'What dees this mean p said Eugene
slowly. "How could any one know Ser.
geant. do you understand this 2"
.Some fellow on lookout near you.
"Why, then, did he not come to us frank.
ly = answered the yonng man. What ;
way of obliging is this p
"Ah,'' said the soldier, there's the thing
Ones afraid of being treated as a spy; ane
then when one is young and timid, aud al
full of romantic sentiments, one knows how
to write and is afraid to talk, for want @
practice that's it. !"
Eugene shook his head.
Soldier cried he, your hand! -
will not have this substitute my sister shall
not be sacriiced-[ will go with you. Seep
And he took up his discharge and prepared
to tear it in pieces.
Christine stopped him.
sBut what if want to have him - said
She After all, it's fine action on his
part And then he goes without making
any terms-and then he is unhappy and
then / have no other means Of keeping you
and then [ want to be in love with him. -
He did well, however, in not showing him
self-one might have regretted him tor
much. I will take the cross but should
like to know-sergeant, have you seer
him.
Yes, now and then"
"Well he is not hump backed or dandy
legged, is he?"
"A good joke! Is the French army re-
cruited with such sort stuff under the Lit
tie Corporal? IS it not composed of indi-
viduals irreproachable as to their persons,
and no fools as to their morality =
els he man Of worth p asked Eugene
Every much 50, answer for it."
''WeH, Sir soldier" said Christine, re-
moving from her neck the golden cross. with
the ribbon that supported it, s.tell hin
that he has done well, and Race the cross
in the hollow of the yew tree; and then
say nothing more to him, but do quit him,
do you hear; ana Try to come back with
him, to tteiiII me, There he is !; it is himself
he is worthy Of your"
Eugene and Lousie looked on without
being able to speak. The grenadier rose.
took eff his cap, wiped away tear, and
said. "Eueougn. ;"
Christine turned to her brother and fu-
ture sister She was no longer the same
person. Her character had assumed more
serious hue She told Louisa, Il too am
betrothed-the pledge of my faith is in the
hands of soldier of tho guards
A year afterwards Eugene had to leave
his home. The enemy we're iniFrance. and
he would not have accepted substitute it
he could have been fonnd At Montereau,
his life was saved by lieutenant of cara
Diners As this officer informed him that
he had no family, Eugene invited him home
to his own
Charles, such was bis name, soon won
Christine's favor but she had plighted her
troth to her brothers substitute and she was
faithful to him. Then Charles handed her
the golden cross, and told Der it was he, who
poor colegian, ashamed Of the noble ac-
ton he was about to perform, went away
without seeing her, and finally rose to the
rank Of Lieutenant.
"At present, sir, continued the narrator,
eve aresmarried. The sergeant died at
Warterloo Eugene and myself have pros
rered in the world we live in that little red
and Write house you see yonder, and 60
every evening to smoke my pipe under the
Croisy Yew."