The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-05-31

{
Anthony Martel," was the innocent
reply.
what, common soldier-a hireling
for rival By Heavens :" he exclaimed
in terrible passion, "u0less you instantly
accept my suit aod reject the beggariy
cburl, will have him shot like dog for
his audacious presumption, and will
give you but moment to decide his
fate"
ooh, sir :" exclaimed Cadehoe, "be is
guilty of 10 crime, and be has never
/ injured you"
HAS be rot dared to supplant Colo.
mel in the French army, aud be IS only
soldier"
/ "Nay, Col Layillier, loved him ere [
saw you. He is generous, noble and
would injure no one"
''Do not lose time in idle words ; con
sent to be mine. or ere the morning sun
has risen, his heart shall cease TO beat :"
"Ob, heavens, spare him y said Cade-
hne in anguish.
you plead 10 vain"
"Give me but a single day to decide. -
"Not an hvur,"
/ AT this moment a majestic form cast
its shadow 10 the outer doorway. but il
vas observed by neither Of the persons
within the room, so absorbed were they
/ in their owu affairs. Stepping aside so
as to be unseen, the stranger remained q
spectator to all.
II implore you to let ne speak to
Anthony before l give YOU an answer"
"Not a word to him therefore in,
IstaDtly consent to become my wife or sign
the death warrant of MarteI."
"IUhuman monster | would rather
die thousand deaths than to be your
wife-even if you were the proud Eu.
peror Of France. Anthony fears 90 death,
aud he would rather give away his life
than have me prove false to him"
Mad girl you are in my power and I
will use you as | please since you have
So iusultingIy spoken"
Never :"
dare you defy NE to my face ?
Thus, then, let NE prove my words By
|sDatchiug breath of sweet fragrance of
your scornful lips"
And clasping his arms around the
form of Cadeline, Laviiier eqdeavored to
put his threat into execution.
Help, mercy !" exclaimed she.
At this moment the report af pistol
10 tile hands Of the stranger we have
above menIiooed, was heard, and the
bullet shattered the arm of the agcressor,
rendering him powerless. But whence
the shot came both were unable to tell,
+ for DO soLner vas the weapon discharged,
than the deliverer disappeared, and An
tho0y Martel rushed i0to the room by
another door Observing the Wild ap
pearance of CadeIne breaking from the
arms Of the Colonel, 10 90 instant he
OWNED the whole, and with q powerful
blow be laid the intruder at his feet.
By this time the report of the firearms
had brought q detachment Of soldiers to
the spot, who, 90 entering the room
were immediately ordered to arrest Az
,houy, for attempting to murder his su.
perior officer. In rain Cadeline protested
his innocence-they put him under
srong guard.
On the following morning an unusual
activity among the officers told that
something of more than ordinary import
ance was to take place, as each one hast.
eDed to the quarters Of the comnandaDl,
though a cnur: martial Is 10 very unusual
thing, vet it is sufficiently rare to attract
attention 10 camp.
Soon the quick roll Of the drum told
that the cU1rt had convened and was
ready 10 Try a criminal Wiihi0 a spa
cious tent, was gathered large number
of officers in full uniform. Seated on q
raised platform was General Lovick,
acting as Judge. Another roll of the
drum announced the entrance Of the
prisoner.
"Of what is this man charged q asked
the Judge.
"0f attempting to destroy the life OF
his superior officer, Colonel LavIllier,"
said the advocate.
And where is the accuser 2" contin-
ued the court.
"Here, may it please your excelleucy,
replied the Colonel, whose arm was done
up 10 a sling.
How came Martel to attempt your
ife?"
IL know not, said Larillier
w hat provoked the insult p
"a conversation with a young girl
with whom the prisoner is acquainted"
"Is that all 2"
at Is, your excellency"
After a short consultation with the
other officers, the Judge turned to the
prisoner, aud thus addressed him:
"Anthony Martel, you have been found