The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-12-08

her countenance fell.
II feel that I can do nothing for you,
my good girl" she said, turning to the
suppliant! "desertion is an offence that
the Emperor never pardons."
so! say not so, royal ladyw exclaim-
ed the young girl imploringly "The
good Emperor's heart is ever open to
you! 1t was to see his dying mother,
and after other means had failed"
Still the Empress shook her head. at
is hard case" she said; "but it will
be useless for me to attempt to obtain
his pardon"
As Josephine said this stihed moan
escaped from the poor girls lips, the
convulsive grasp upon herrobe relaxed,
and she lay still and pale at her feet.
Alarmed, the Empress beckoned the
genddrDae to approach.
"She has tainted, +" he said, as he bent
over her. "And no woheer; she has
walked from the village Of II, full
eight leagues, since break Df day"
"DO you know her."
eyes, Madame, she is Marie Duval,
the betrothed of Henri Laferve, who is
to be shot tomorrow morning for de-
sertion."
''Poor childw said the Empress, COM
passionateIy. "Take her away, good
Jenna" J." she added, as the girl began to
show signs Of consciousness, "and see
that she has rest and refreshment, and
if she be sufficiently recovered bring
her an hour hence, to myprivate apart
ment."
The Empress passed along, but the
kind-hearted soldier noticed, with a
feeling Of satisfaction, that she held the
little roll Of paper, while her counte-
nance had q thoughtful aspect.
Napoleon was seated alone at the ta-
bic covered with papers and maps. y
courier had just left him, who was evi-
IDENTIFY the bearer of good news, for his
countenance had a pleased, almost eX-
uItant look.
The door opened, and Josephine en-
tered.
She pausedam0ment upon thethreSh-
old, giving his c0umenance a furtive
look, whose ever varying mood she had
learned to read.
"Welcome, my good Josephine"
said the Emperor holding out his hand
to her.
Josephine saw that his was a propi-
tious moment, and payfuIly sinking
down on one knee, she kissed his hand
and presented him the,oll of paper she
had received from the girl.
"If it was for any ther offence, it
should be granted; butas it is, it is inn
possible"
"But there are exterUating circum-
stances in this case, ,"pleided Josephine;
"the poor fellow had iustreceived news
that his mother was at the point Of
death"
"That was no eXcusa. The soldier
has no mother save F>ance; he owes
first duty oherr
"Ah, if you could only see his be-
trothed wife, sire, | know your heart
would relent-She travelled on foot
from the village of l., since day
break, to plead for her lovers life.
Poor girl! fear that shewill not sur
vive itI'
The Emperor Shruggedhis shoulders.
eve must try to console her." he
said, dryly, "seeing we cannot grant
her another husband"
"She would never accept one!" said
Josephine, with indignant emphasis.
"She would sooner die with her lover"
Napoleon again shrugged his shoul-
ders and took pinch of snuff.
"My dear friend, such things may be
found in romance, but not in real life.
III wager most anything you like, she
would much prefer living with some
young, good-Iooking man, and which
should find little difficulty in persua-
ding her to do"
Josephine whispered few words in
her royal husbands ear.
"Letit be so, D." "hesaid smiling. "And
now suffer your young protege to be
summoned, and | will soon put the
truth of my assertion to the proof"
The Emperor listened attentively to
the touching plea, broken by tears and
sobs, that Marie poured out at his feet.
Then bidding her rise, he said gravely,
but kindly, for he was touched by the
artless beauty of the suppliant, no less
than by her unfeigned sorrow.
81 am sorry, my daughter, that l cam
not grant your petition. But Twill pro-
vide you with another love, and bestow
upon youa bridal dowry besides; which
will do just as well, if not better"
"Surely you jest, sire, F." said theyoung
girl, casting upon him glance of sor-
rOwfuI surprise. "No one can take
Henri's place in my heart. For the
love of mercy, spare his Iffen'
"He has committed an objectionable
offence" was the stern reply, "the pen
atty of which is death. He must die!
unless, indeed" he added, in lower
tone, "some substitute be found to suf-
fer in his stead"
Marie caught eagerly at the hope con-