The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-07-01

! turn before the enemy aNotner UlScharge o
the Pru.sian troops, who had been rapidly
nearing the scene OF action, then flashed
amongst them. The Gareis Inperiaie de Nu.
poteon was utterly annihilated. One exultan
! shout was raIsed bv the alliei armies as thi:
fearful crisis WAS decided IN their favor.
l, But where in the molrent of victory, was
Henry? Stretched upon the field, his heac
supported by his fellow officer Frederick Lis
ton, and his lie blood. flowing from a wouut
in his breast 81
Frederick," lie murmured, in dying
voice, you will see, Vaniuka
"If Lve," answered his comrade with
deep emotion.
You will give hsr this ring, and cut some
| of my hair OFF for her. Tell her my dying
! thoughts we're sll OF her-Heaven bless you
my comrade. Fatewell!'' and his head tell
heavily back. a.gz
I Dead y said Frederick, "and I mus,
/ leave him here"
Frederick was mistaken Henry was not
dead-he had o ly tainted. Some hours
aiterward he was lying ON hospital bed in u
raving d, lirium.
For weeks his life hung upon thread,
then a young constitution triumphed, and he
began to mend. His physician positively Tor.
bade Ri, returning 10 Prussia, and warning Z
him that his lungs were much affected, he re-
commended winter III Italy. Writing Il
long letter to Vaninka to explain his long
absence, Henry made his preparations, and,
alter an illness OF over three months, started
in tine early part Of October for Naples. He
Remained there, gaining strength and health,
until the heXt June, aud then started for
home. During hls resid .ncc in I;aiy, he had
written again andnagain to both Van,nka aud
I., ...,I
ed no letter il answer. His epist!es never
reached Them.
We will now return to Vaninka. Contrary
to the fears OF friends she had seemed to bear
heI loss with calinness. She had been SO
long in a state Of ugonizing suspense, tina,
ang certainty, even t" this dIreiul one, was u
reiIei. Still her step did not regain its elasti-
lily, and her grIef, If not loud, was deep.
Her friends mistook despair tor calmness.
She grew paier and thinner, and now fire.
quently kept her room tor days together.
Her lover had been gone some eight
months, when her hand was again sought IN
marriage. George Weimar was a gentle
mild old man oi about seventy years vi age
wealthy, ana OF large influence IN his natl te
town. He was old TREND of Eaninka $
father, ard bad long thought of seeking Va
ninka for his bride. heL. however, ne had
seen the place coveted about to be wUrthIiy
filled, he had become silent on nc subject vi
his desires. and cultivated the Acquaintance
Ut his lady lore's betr.lhed. Nov, deceived
as others wcIe by Vaninkas quiet dciueanor,
lie advanced his suit. Her parents, knowing
that he would spare no pai. "r expense 10
make her happy, urged their child 10 accept
his offer aud she cJuselted to see him.
h.. 4 I, ,.n
YOU how grateful ttal 10 yout kind and fat
.rriug oHer, and 20 place EIy situation fully
before YOU. Since ! neard of mr. ire parable
loss, have felt that shoa!d soon JOIN him
sti.I | have endeavored faithfully u per orm
the duties lett 10 me. | do not ihlIk shall
live | ,r,g. Bat il can by any means add to
he happiness of another. God has pr..uted
NE the vii TO do So. II YOU will sccsbi my
hand. Knowing that my heart IS IN Henry
grave II Is yours, and l will endeavor TO fulfil
my duties as IL wife, trusting TO your love aud
indulgence To forgive if I fail t, make you
h ppy while am with YOU
The good old man Was too happy to have
his Offer accepted on any terE.a. md be
thaiI-.td her warmly 4 day vas soon SCI tor
the wedding, and all things were making
ready.
Nj "einar hoped, by travelling AMI other
diversions OF her mind, To raise his brides
spirit. and Prolong her life
Again it was the night before Naninkas
wedding, again she was seated, lost in thought,
in the same chair that We frst saw her in.
Now alas, The reverie WIS very painful one,
and low, choking sobs TOOK the place OF her
former happy smiles. She was sitting, pain
fully rejecting on the past. when a shadow
fell ON the ground before her, and raising her
eyes. she stranger looking at her. He
stood with his back to the light, and she
could not see his face but something made
her heart stand still rs she rose TO greet him.
He only said one word " Faninka ~ aud cx
claiming, - Henrv!'' she sprang TO MS breast,
and he held her there as If he feared another
separation.
So,' said pleasant voice at the door,
q there Is a change o.. bridegroom s." and Mr..
Weimar entered the room. Vaninka stood a
confused, but taking her hand he
placed it in Henry's, saying, = Take her,
Henry; she is too young, good, and hand
some for an old man like myself. / was All
old fool to thins Of it. Take her and ny
warmest blessings attend your union" And
with kind, bcanir.g smile, tie bid man lei.
them together.
This time Eaninka wedding was not post
poned and as Henry and fannka stood be-
fore the altar, Mr.. Weimar, watching the
happy, blushing face Of the bride, owned that
he couli not have called up, with all his de
votion, such an expression Of perfect love
and JOY.