The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-07-06

II
all struck npon the ear of Ellen. She
flew from street to street, forgetful of
her own safety at one moment IN search
Of her father. and the next administering
/ com fort to those as wreched rs herself.
At length the tumult ceased. The
/ thunder of the cannon was heard no
| longer, and the glad tidings was com
municated from mouth TO mouth that the
enemy were repulsed, and had retreated
\ to their encampment- Scarce had Ellen
I reoiced in this intelligence, when she
! beheld her father approaching, supported
/ by his friends.
! .Merciful heavenr' she exclaimed,
4 '1you are wounded
.Come with me my child said he,
\ ..and thank the Supr. r.me Being for the
respite from our calamities. My wound
is nothing: you will bind it up
4 With the tenderest care she applied
7 the emolients nessesary, then kneeling
at his feet, bathed his hand with her
/ tears At length her father requested
her to he calm and listen to him
1--WE have" said he, "this time de-
/ Tended the walls of Soleure and repulsed
4 the enemy but they will return to the
\ attack with new vigor. Our resources
are exhausted, our last ammunition eX-
/ pended, and the banner of Austria soon
will wave over the ruins OF this devoted
! place; but have still my duty to per
form, and to this there is but one OBJ
stacle. ! know what fate awaits you
from rude and victorious soldery in
the heat of conquest. There is but one
tresource-you must repair to Leopold.
He is brave and generous You will be
free from insult, and / free to do my
duty as soldier Away it is my com
mand. Answer me not Give this let
ter to the duke God bless thee, my
dear, my only treasure
Ellen sank upon her knees and pressed
her fathers hand to her lips; but he
rushed from her into his own room, and
his sobs were audible.
When he came out he gazed upon the
bridge over which Ellen was to pass
Her slight figure was family visible pre-
tccdcd by flag of truce, and at length
Faded away.
Now, am childless," said he; Il
have only to die for my country"
Surrounded by the chiefs and mobiles
OF his army sat duke Leopold, upon seat
adorned with gold and purple, which
served as Il throne, dclibcrating with
them upon the most effectual means of
attacking Soleurc. The curtain of the
pavilion was raised, and an officer en-
tered and informed him that n young
woman, the daughter of Bucheg, request
ed admission.
Leopold looked exultingly upon his
mobiles. HAS he sent his daughter TO
melt our purposes p said he. docs he
think that youth and beauty can beguilc
our resolution Let her enter and we
will show her that our blood is warmed
only 10y glory
Again the curtain was raised, and
Ellen, dressed in the plainest manner
entered. She approached the duke, and
bent one knee to the ground. Noble
prince" said she, II come to you as a
petitioner to claim your protection"
She placed her fathers letter in his hand.
The duke looked earnestly Mt her, as
did also the rest of the mobiles with still
greater curiosity The effort of courage
was over. Her eyes were cast down,
and her frame trembled with emotion
My lord,' said the duke, addressing an
old man who stood near, support this
young woman to a seat" He then un-
folded the letter and read
NOBLE PRINcE-She who brings YOU
this letter is my only child-all the
treasure possess in this world. / trust
her to you, relying upon your honor. If
the walls of Solcurc fall. | shall be buried
under their ruins but if You grant your
protection to my daughter l shall have
no more anxiety for her. Give me some
token that you grant my petition, and
YOU will receive your reward from that
Being who watches over the innocent
and who knows our hearts.
BUcHEG, Magistrate of Soleure.
A deep silence prevailed. At length
the duke said, Upon the line of our en-
campment let the banner of the Austrian
army be planted, crowned with green
garland BY this token the magistrate
will know that he has not mistaken Leo
pold Count, TO you l contide this young
maiden; l know yoar integrity; your
gray hairs. bleached in the service Of
your country, are a pledge of security.
Yet one more | desire il is Your son. |
take him for hostage. You know tina. l
love him As if he were my own. There
fore. by the value of this pledge. he will
know ltow highly | estimate protection,
given 10 the daughter of Bucheg But
where is the Young count Z" continued
the duke. Il miss him unwillingly from
among my friends
He is at his post" answered the
father. expect him every moment In
the meantime suffer me tn express nv
thanks for the confidence You place in
me. rs well as for your confidence in my
son.
f! The old coun. now took the hand of
Ellen. and said: ~ on have heard my
4 dear child, the command of the duke /
hope YOU will trust yourself TO me-
AS he spoke his s.n entered the pa
vilion. He gazcd at the scene before
him in speechless astonishment Ellen.
too, seemed overcome by her situation.
The deepest bushes suffused her face and
neck, while her eyes were east down and
her hear. beat with violence.
''1ou wonder. my young friend said
the duke. "how this fair creature came
among us rough. .warriors but you will
be still more astonished when YOU learn
that you must welcome her as Your sister.
She is the only daughter OF the magis-
trate of Soleure. Her father has con
fided her to me, and l give her in trust to