The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-04-28
There was no answer.

There was no answer.
''Vaninka 2" she said again, Eare you i'll 2
and she laid her hand gently upon her arm.
''Dead, mother, dead p she said, now rails.
ing her eyes.
"Who IS dead, darling 2" asked her mother,
frightened at her strange tone
Faninka slowly opened her package, and
drew out the ring and hair it contained, and
murmuring Henry Or, mother, he is dead y
she fell sabbing in her mothers arms.
We change the scene now TO Waterloo in the
latter part of the battle between the armies of
F.. Napoleon and Wellington. The morning we
choose was the one in which the Imperial Guard
of the Emperor threw themselves between the
advancing PrussiaE forces and the English army
I to prevent their joining their forces. Henry
! Werder, at the head Of his regiment, felt his
heart throb with intense excitement, rs the two
immediate columns, the flower of the French
army, advanced upon the English troops. They
came on III silence, until within range of the
/ batteries prepared to receive them; then ter
rife 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 be-
fore the enemy; another discharge Of the Prus-
sian troops, who had been rapidly nearing the
scene Of action, then flashed amongst them
II, Garde lmperiaie de Napoleon was utterly
annihilated. One exultant shout was raised by
the allied armies a. This fearful crisis was decd-
Cd In their favor.
But where, in the moment Of victory, was
I Henry Stretched upon the field, his head sup
ported hy his fellow officer, Frederick Lston,
ana the life blood flowing from :; wound in his
breast,
''Erederick," he murmured in dying voice,
'-yoa VIII see EaMiaka.'
''iI iiye,' answered his conrade wish deep
emotion.
'sYoa viii give her this ring, and cut some CT
nay hair eli for her. Tell her nay dying thoughts
were all II har-Iiea7en bless you, my com
rads. Farewell J" and his head tell heavily
back.
Dead" said Frederick, sand mas, leave
him here"
Frederick was mistaken. Henry was not
3sa7q had o4sy 14iatffo tffosni.oi ,I'ns nouro after
For ,4aezs his life hung upon q thread then
a Young constitution tFunphed and he began
to meEd. His physician positively forbade his
returning 10 Prussia, aud warning him that his
/ lungs were much affected, he recommended a
winter in Italy. Writing long letter to Van
1 inka to explain his long absence, Henry made
( his preparations, and after an illness Of over
three months, started in the early part Of Octo-
/ Der for Naples. lie remained there, gaining
strength and health until the next June, and then
started for home. During hI5Iesidence in Italy,
! be bad wri-e again and again to both Fauinka
and frederick, and wondered why he had re-
ceiyla no letter in answer. His epistles never
reached them.
We now return 10 Vannka Contrary to
the fears Of her friends, she had seemed 10 bear
her loss with camnes5. She had been SO long
in a state of agonizing suspense, that any cer-
tainly, even this dreful one, was a relief. Still
her step did not regain lis elasticity, and her
grief, If not loud was deep. Her friends mis-
took despair for calulness. She grew paIer 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.
Geo. Weimar was gentle, mild old man Of a.
bout seventy years of age, wealthy, and Of large
influence In his native town. He was an old
friend Of Vaninka'5 father, and had long thought
Of seeking Vaninka for his bride When, how
ever, he had seen the place coveted about to be
worthily filled, he had kept 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
advanced 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 she consented to see him.
"Mr Weimar," sac said, II wish to tell you
how grateful feel for your kind and fatterng
oifcr and to place my situation fully before you.
Since / heard of my irreparable loss, have
felt that should soon join him; still L have
endeayored faithfully to perform the duties left
to me- I do not think l shall live long. But
If can by any means add to the happiness oi
another God has granted me the will to do 50.
II you viii accept my hand, knowing that my
heart is in Henry's grave, it is yours, and
will endeavor to fulfill my duties as a wife,
trusting to your love and indulgence TO for
give If fail to make you happy while am witt
you"
The good old man was too happy to have hi
. offer accepted on any terms and he thanked he
warmly. A day was soon set for the wedding
and all things were making ready.
l Mr.. Weimar hoped, by travelling and Other
diversions Of her mind, to raise his brides spiri
and pTo!ong her life.
Again it was the night before Vaninka's wed
, ding, and again she was seated, lost in thought
in the same chair that we first saw her in. Now
: alas the reverie was very painful one, an,
5 low, choking sobs took the place of her forme
: happy smiles She was sitting painfully reflect
y ing on thepast, when ashadow fell on the groun
It before her, and raising her eyes, she saw
d stranger standing looking at her. He stoo
d with bis back to the light, and she could nc
}, see his face, but something made her heart stan
still as she arose to greet him. He only said on
2 word. ''Vaniuka!' and exclaiming. "Henry