Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-14

she ODeyeu Une summons. AS Sne SLOWLY
entered the room, a stranger rose, and ad
yanced to meet her.
a" Mademoiselle Brentano 2" he inquired
bowling
1.-THE same. Will you be seated, Sir ?"
" am Frederick Liston served in the
battle of Waterloo, in the same regiment
with Henry Werder and he requested me
to deliver this to you" And as he fin
ished, he placed small package in bel
hands.
." Why don't he come himself? He is
not dead? Oh, say he is not dead |" she
said in voice of such imploring agony
that the young soldier felt the tears rise in
his eyes.
Lady" he said in sad tone, L" Henry
fell at Waterloo" ......
| She did not scream nor faint, but sank
into the chair near her, with only a moan
| of agony He mistook her silent, fearless
agony for calmness, and began to relate the
particulars of his comrades death, and de-
livered his dying message to his betrothed.
Vaninka heard every word, but she neither
spoke nor stirred but with her eyes fixed
on the little package he had given her. He
left, and her mother found her half an hour
after still in the same position.
Vannka," she said, "who was your
visitor Z"
There was no answer.
"Vaninka," she said again, "you are il, :"
and she laid her hand gently upon her.
Dead, mother, dead p she said, now
raising her eyes.
"Who is dead, darling 2" asked her
mother, frightened at her strange tone.
Vaninka slowly opened her package, and
drew out the ring and hair it contained,
murmuring Henry Oh, mother he is
dead p she fell sobbing in her mothers
arms.
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 in which
the Imperial Guards of the Emperor threw
themselves between the advancing Prus-
sian forces and the English army to pre-
vent their joining their forces.
Henry Werder at the head of his regi-
ment, felt his heart throb with intense ex-
citement as the two immediate columns
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 theh 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 lashed amongst them. The Garde In
al do ntt of tnI
One exultant shout was raised by the al
lied armies as this fearful crisis was de-
cided in their favor.
But where, in the moment of victory,
was Henry? Stretched upon the field, his
head supported by his fellow officer, Fred
erck Liston, and the life-blood flowing
from a wound in his breast.
" Frederick" he murmured, in a dying
voice, "you will see Vaninka."
"f live" answered his comrade, with
deep emotion.
"You will give her this ring, aud cut
some of my hair off for her. Tell her my
dying thoughts were all of her-Heaven
bless you, my comrade. Farewell" and
his head fell heavily back.
Dead" said Frederick, "and l must
leave him here"
Frederick was mistaken. Henry was
not dead-he had only tainted Some hours
afterward he was lying On a hospital bed
in a raving delirium.
For weeks his life hung upon thread
then young constitution triumphed, and
he began to mend. His physician positively
forbade his returning to Prussia, and warn
ing him that his lungs were much affected
he recommended winter in Italy Writ
ing long letter to Vaninka to explain his
long absence, Henry made his prepara-
tions, and, after an illness of over three
months, started in the early part Of Octo-
Der for Naples. He remained there, gain
ing strength and health until the next
June and then started for home. During
his residence in Italy, he had written again
and again to both Vaninka and Frederick,
and wondered why he had received no let
ter in answer His epstles never reached
them
We now return to Vaninka Contrary
to the fears of friends, she had seemed to
bear her loss with calmness. She had been
so long in state of agonizing suspense,
that any certainty, even this direful 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 some eight
months, when her hand was again sought
in marriage. George Weimer 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 of
Vaninka'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 become
silent on the subject of his desires, and
cultivated the acquaintance of his lady
loves betrothed. Now, deceived as others
were by Vaninka's quiet demeanor he ad-
vanced his suit. Her parents knowing
that he would spare no pains or expense
to make her happy, urged their child to
accept his offer, and consented to see him.
" Mr. Weimer," she said, " wish to tell
you how grateful | feel for your kind and
f1att ering offer, and to place my situa-
tion fully before you. Since | heard of my
irreparable loss, have felt that | should
soon join him still have endeavored to
faithfully peform the duties left to me. l
do not think shall live long. But if | can
hy any means add to the happineSs of an