The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-11-29


that had thrown away-yes, those are
the wordsAevery ducat of the money my
poor father furnished me with which to
purchase my commission
"Yes-I know all that. But the loss
is not irreparable."
Pardon me, madam. My father,
though reputed wealthy, is unable to fur
nish me with a similar sum, even If
were base enough to accept it at his
hands,"
aBut if some friends were to step for
ward ?"
"Alas I know none"
"Mr. Walstein," said the lady, "I am
rich; q loan of the requisite amount
would not affect me in the least"
COB, madam" cried the young man, "it
you would indeed save me by such gen.
erosity, you would be- angel Of mercy"
"What is the amount of your loss Z"
inquired the lady calmly, as she unlocked
her desk.
"Three Thousand ducats," answered
Ernest. ~But 1 can give you no security
for the payment"
"Your note of hand is sufficient" said
tho lady, handing the young man pack
age of notes. "Please to count those,
and see if the sum is correct Here are
writing materials"
Ernest did as he was bid-counted the
money, and then sat down at the desk.
"Write at my dictation," said the lady.
Ernest took up pen and commenced.
s'The date" said the lady.
Ernest wrote it.
"Received of Anna Won Berlingen the
sum of three thousand ducats."
Ernest wrote and repeated-~three
thousand ducats."
aIn consideration, I promise to marry
the aforesaid Anna Won Berlingen."
$40 marry youp exclaimed Ernest:
aAy-to marry mep said the lady.
Gam I deformcd-am ugly-am I poor?"
"I cannot do it-you know not the rea-
son that induces me to refuse"
"Then go home to your father apd con-
fess your guilt"
Ernest reflected few moments. He
could not go home to his father with the
frightful tale. 1t was question between
suicide and marriage; he signed the pa
per.
aNow, then, Baron" said the widow to
herself, as she carefully secured the prom
ise, "you cannot say that you broke the
heart of Annie by your cruelty. Take
the money, Ernest" she added aloud, ego
and purchase your commission"
Ernest obeyed. His dreams of yester-
day morning had all been dissipated by
his own act; he felt degraded and bro
ken,spirited criminal. He had sold him
self for gold.
"Here comes Captain Ernestp cried q
youthful voice. And beautiful blue
eyed girl of nineteen stood at the garden
gate Of a pretty farmhouse, watching the
approach of horseman, who gaily at
tired in O. huzzar uniform, was galloping
up the road. At her shout of delight q
sturdy old gray-haired man came forth
and stood beside her.
"Captain Ernestw he repeated, "that
sounds we'll When I was of his age, |
only carried musket in the ranks 1
never dreamed then that son of mine
could ever aspire to tho epaulette."
Ernest, waving his hand to Meena AL
tenberg and his father, rode past them TO
the stable, where he left his horse. Hc
then rushed into the farmhouse, where
his father met him.
"What is the meaning of this, boy" he
said. "How wild and haggard you look!
And you have avoided Meena-and this,
too, upon your wedding-day."
aMy wedding-day-O, heaven shall
die ~ said the young man, sinking into a
seat.
AS soon as he could collect himself, he
told his father that he could not marry
Meena, and tho reason-that he had
pledged himself to another. The old
man, who was the soul of honor, burst
into violent imprecations and drove him
from his presence. AS he left the house,
the unfortunate young man encountered n
person whom he at once recognized as
the baron Won Dangerfeld, the reputed
suitor of Madame Won Berlingen.
~ have been looking for you, Captain
Walstein," said the Baron, sternly.
"And you have found me-" answered
the young man shortly.
"Yes-and I thank heaven yeu wear
that uniform. It entities you to meet q
German noble, and answer for your con
duct"
"I am answerable for conduct to no
living man," retorted Ernest.
"You wear sword"
eyes,"
every well; if you refuse to give sat
isfaction for the injury you have done
me, in robbing me of my mistress, | will
proclaim you coward in the presence
of the regiment upon parade"
"Oh, make yourself easy upon that
score, Baron" answered Ernest "Life
is of too little worth for me to think of
shielding it. If you will step with me
into the shadow of yonder grove, we can
lo4o aaaAr1nfnO ~