The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-06-17

Vaninka slowly opened her package
and drew out the ring and hair it con-
tanned, mumuring: Henry! Oh, moth
or. he is deadr she fell sobbing upon her
mothers arm.
We change the scene now to Waterloo
in the latter part of the battle between
the armies of Napoleon and Wellington.
The morning we choose was the one III
which the Imperial Guard of the Emper.
or threw themselves between the advan-
cling Prussian forces and the English
army to prevent their joining their forces
Iienry Werder, at the head of his regi-
lnent.. felt his heart throb with intense
excitement as the two Immediate col
umns, the flower of the French army,
advanced upon the English troops. They
came on in silence, until within range of
the batteries prepared to receive them;
then terrible discharge, seeming to rend
heaven and earth, scattering death
among their ranks
Still these veterans advanced. The
honor of their nation was in peril they
could die, but not turn before the enemy;
another discharge of the Prussian troops,
who had been rapidly nearing the scenes
of action, then dashed amongst them
The Garde Imperiale de Napoleon was
utterly annihilated One exultant shout
was raised nv the allied armies as this
fearful crisis was decided in their favor.
But where, in the moment of victory,
was Henry Stretched upon the field,
his head supported by his fellow officer,
Frederick Liston, and the life-blood flow
lug from wound in his breast
Frederick" he murmurcd, in dying
voice, "you Will see Vaninka!"
''If live" answered his cOmrade, with
deep emotion.
"You will give her this ring, and cut
some of my hair off for her Tell her my
dying thoughts were all of her-Heaven
bless you, my comrade. Farewellr' and
his head fell heavily back.
Dead" said Frederick, land / must
leave him here"
Frederick was mistaken. Henry was
not dead-he had only tainted. Some
hours afterward he was lying on hos
pital bed in raving delirium.
For weeks his lifehung upon thread,
then a young constitution triumphed,
and lie began to mend His physician
positively forbade his returning TO Prus-
>ia, and warning him that his lungs was
in Italy. Writing a long letter to Vanin-
ka TO explain his long absence. Henry
made his preparations, and, after an i'll
ncss of over three months, started in the
carly part of October for Naples He re
manned there gaining strength ami health
until the neNt June and then started for
home. During his residence in Italy, he
had written again and again to both
Vaninka and Frederick, and wondered
WAY he had received no letter in answer
His epistles never reached them.
We now return to Vaninka. Contrary
20 the fears of friends, she had seemed 10
bar her loss with calmness. She had
bced 50 long i'll state of agenizing sus-
penSe that any certainty, even this dire
full one, was a relief Still her step did
not regain its elasticity. and her grief, if
not loud, was deep Her friends mistook
despair for calmness. She grew paler
and thinner, and now frequently kept
her room for days together
Her lover had been gone for eight
months, when her hand was again sought
in marriage. George Weimar was gen
tie, mild old man of about seventy years
of age, wealthy, and of large influence
In his native town. He was an old friend
ofVaninka's father, and had long thought
of seeking Vaninka for his bride. When,
however, he had seen the place coveted
about to be worthily filled, he had be-
come silent on the subject of his desires,
and cultivated the acquaintance of his
lady loves bethrothed Now, deceived
as others We're by Vaninka's quiet de-
meanor, he advanced his suit Her pa
rents knowing that he would spare no
pains or expense to make her happy,
urged their child to accept this offer, and
she consented to see him
Mr.. Weimar," she said, | wish to
tell you how grateful feel for your kind
and ttattering offer, and to place my sit
uatiOn fully before you Since You heard
of my irreparable loss, / have felt that /
should soon join him; still I have en-
deavored faithfully to perform the duties
left me. do not think shall live long.
But If eau 10y any means add to the
happiness of another, God has granted
me the will to do SO If you will accept
my hand, knowing that my heart is in
Henry's grave, it is yours, and will en-
deavor TO fulfill my duties as a wife,
trusting to your love and indulgence to
forgive if fail to make you happy while
| am with You"
The good old man was too happy to
have his offer accepted on any terms, and
he thanked her warmly. A day was soon
set for the wedding, and all things were
making ready. ~ tE-.& -
Mr. Weilhsr hoped by travelling and
other diversions of mind to raise his
brides spirits and prolong her fife.
Again it was the night before Vanin-
ka's Wedding and again she was seated,
lost in thought, in the same chair that
we once saw her in. Now, alas, the rev.
erie was very painful one, and low,
choking sohs took the place of her form
er happT smiles She was sitting, pain
iully Rejecting on sthe past, whom a
shadow fell On the ground before her.
and raising her eyes, saw stranger look
ing at her. He stood, with his back to
tue light, and she could not see his face,
but something ,nade her heart stand still
as she arose {. gree, him. He only said
Que word, 'yaninka" and exclaiminp
Henry" she sprang to his embrace. he
cIlght her passionatsly to his breast.
aud held her there as if he feared anoth.
or separation. Z ~ fs. I. ,
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