North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-10-18
now ard The dawn to decide which it shall
CHAPTER III.

The next morning rose clear and cIoudlcss. |
At the first streaks of dawn, the large square
in front OF the palace was alive with soldi ers
while outside OF the paIing, and in every
available place, were crowds of spectators, ga
ger to view what Is so dear to every French
ID ans heart, the pomp and circumstance of =
military execution and in this intance, ru-
m ors that had reached the people, that it was
no the real offender that as TO take his
place, made the crowd. unusully large,
Cir cum.tances indicated that it was to be
the scene Of more than usual display. The
Emperor himself was present, attended by
his staff. HIS tried and faithful body guard
we're drawn up in long array; together with
the whole regiment to which the culprit be-
longed.
At the appointed hour, Maria made her
appearance, attended by priest, and escor-
ted by guard of six soldiers. A murmnr
Of mingled pity and admiraio ran through
The crowd as they note hea extreme youth
and beauty. Every eye expressed sympathy.
excepting, indeed, the platoon of soldiers de-
| tailed to fire the fatal volley they alone re-
earded the scene with an air Of indifference.
Maria's beautiful countenancc was pale but
! composed, and she walk ID to the fatal spot
with light firm step. Yet, as her eye fell
npon the coffin, that was arranged 80 that it
wou Id receive her body as it fell, visible
shudder convulsed her frame. But it quickly
passed away, and her countenance regained
its former expression of holy serenity.
Closing her eyes, her lips moved a moment
in voiceIess prayer then she signified that
she was ready.
Just then one of the Emperor's aids rode
up, and beckoning to the priest, said few
words to him.
Father Godefroy Immediately returned to
his patient. "Daughrer," he said 'our good
Emperor sends lhee that if thy courage fail
thee, there is, even now, time to retract."
Tell the E nperor that thank him, ia
ther," returned Maria, calmly "but that it
is easier for me to die for my betrothed than
TO live without him."
"But, bethlnk thee, daughter" persisted
the good priest, "thls is terrible fate. Life
is sweet, especially to the young. The En-
perer empowers me to offer to thy accept
ance another lover, equal in every respect, to
the ore thou wilt lose, and bridal do~ry.
Rush not, from 50 fair prospect to so cruel
DEATH" ..
| vi father - fho
firm reply "my resolution is immoVable.-
Neither distract with vain and worldly rho'ts
the soul, that is fixed steadfastly upon that
country it is 80 soon to enter.
The priest drew back, aud one Of the sol.
diers approached to bandage her eyes.
At first Maria deu.urred, but on being told
that it was indispensable, quietly submitted.
During these proceedings profound 81
J Ience reigned throughout that dense crowd Of
people and when the signal to fire was gwen,
every heart stood still even the rough,
stern soldiers. accustomed to view death in
It's most cruel forms, involuntarily turned
their eyes away from the pitful sight.
There was sharp report of musSetry and
when the smoke cleared away it was dlscov-
cred that Maria had fallen forward upon her
face. ........... WV ..-.
The Emperor, who had been pa ssive but
attentive spectator of all this, instantly
spurred his horse to the spot where she lay.
''Mon Dieu J" he exclaimed as he threw
himself hurrledly from the. saddle, ''can it be
that those stupid fellows have blundered ?"
"She has only tainted, sire," said Father
Godefroy, bending over her, and laying his
hand u pom her wrist as he spuke.
Yet, though the muskets were loaded with
blank cartridges, So that not hair Of her
head was injured, for some minutes Maria
lay as still and dealhly rs though life had
indeed departed. When she unciosed her
eyes she looked up bew ldered into the face
that she had never thought to see again in
life. ....
"Mara, nv good angel my savior J" ex-
claimed Henri look up our suffsrings are
over The Emperor was but testing your
Love- He has pardoned me aud Father God
cfroy is even now waiting to make US one."
And bef,re Maria could hardly realize this
happy change in her prospects she was wife.
As soon as the priest had pronounced the
benediction, the Emperor approached them.
Overcome with gratitude and joy they would
have knelt at his feet, but he prevented
them.
"No thanks are due me-" he said, address
ing Henri. ''You owe your life neither to
your own deserts, nor" he added, his eyes
resting kindly On Maria's happy face, "to my
c,ernency, but to the heroic courage and de-
vot,on Of her, you have just called wife
Endeavor, in all your future conduct, to prove
, our,elf worthy of her give you q months