New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-11-12
A story of Waterloo.
FOUNDED OF FACT.

ro,-,.,yD or y,cr
y
The residence OF the hospia6ie Duke OF Rich
| mond was brilliantly illuminated on the evening
Of June 18th, lsl5. Groups Of Officers in various
uniforms were seen assembled IN the bail room
! many OF whom were probably entering INTO these
| gay SCIENCES for the last time. Amongstthe ladies
that onamented the room, many OF our country
women might readily be distinguished by the easy
| dignity OF their manners from the VEacoUs for.
| eigners with whom they were mingled. One OF
the most attractive Of these was Edith Myers. An
| artist would not perhaps have called her beaqti-
tul, but there was dignity and character IN her
face which amply atoned Tor anything in which
she might have fallen short of the Grecan nodel.
Not really above the average height, the st5aE-
ness Of her figure made her apnear taller taan ian
holding the OF her father. Col. Myers, with |
whom She had just entered. Many au adMlEng +
glance was turned upon the TAR young gEi' as leF
cnetk husheu heyohd us "0ht sle looked Alt' /
riedy round the room, hardly seeming to notee
the officer who was soliciting AeI hand Tor o !
dance. She accepted MN, however, mechanically /
s When bright smile passed over her face
Captain Bruce, an officer II the uniform OF the
4 Light Guards, was crossing the room towards hel.
His figure was tail ana soi4lefke Il5 eouHtehaaee
grave ana thoaghttuL at timea almost 6'efh: AZ
I she would spare few moments that evening TO
stroll with lin in the ADJOINING terrace. she as
? seated 10 his request in the same tone, deep
d flush rising over her face. They Immediately sep
arated. as if to avoid remark. ana Edith was soon
=. waltzng in The brilliant circle.
The evening wore on aud the Gaiety was at its
., height. when hand was laid on Edith arm. aud
! tLe same low voice whispered in her ear: II claim
II you now, at least for time - With a beating
y heart she accepted the proHcred arm. and max
+ ing their way tr9 Ugh the merry groups that sur
= rounded them, the two passed out upon the ter
: race. They stood silent for a few moments.
l. The bright moonlight which poured around
n n them, lighted up shining leaves Of the shrubs
: below and the scent flowers with
y which the terrace was decorated seemed TO
: freshen the evening air whits fragrance. Edith's
:, hand tremblad as it lay upon her companions
; arm the flush had died from her cheek and LETT
y it deadly pale.
! Miss Nyers,EI am here tonight to ask
4 question which deeply involves my future happi-
u ness. You cannot surely be blind to my long
y affection for you, and
~ ~ AS he spoke the shrill blast of a bugle was
heard suddenly breaking the stiffness of the night.
"a Capt Bruce started, and his whole frame seemed
1t to culver.
'Edth" he exclaimed hurriedy, 'tyou heard
y that sound: it is the signal for action and calls
=, me either to the death or victory. / have only a
n few moments more to be with you. Tell me, l
III implore you, whether am to welcome death as a
: friend or to fight with redoubled courage for a
IS life that is dear to you? Good heavens she has
of fainted!n
" " The starting news had been too much for Edith's
~ 20 delicate frame and had it not been for hel
We lovers supporting arm, she would have sunk tc
the ground He dared stay no longer, but calling
some waiting women to her assistance, he I'M
printed one kiss upon her forehead and hastcned
from the house TO assemble his men.
'er The following evening, about three hours after
nd sunset. a different scene presented Itself. The
tic conflict OF the day was over, and the silence 0
'l0 death had succeeded TO the storm of the battle
Groups of soldiers might be seen dotted over the
ng battlefield, occupied in searching for the missing
u- comrades amongst the dead and tue dying, while
ch passing to and fro among them might be distin-
he gutshed two female figures timldly aud cautiously
e ueadmg their way across the fatal scene where SO
ltS many brave men lay manged and ieless at thell
Vn feet. The foremost of tue two was young girl,
se wrapped in a loose cloak which enyeloped heI
on figure thick veil was drawn over her face, and
us in her hand she carried small lantern She was
OF followed by an elderly woman, bearing on her
re- basket, in which were two small TASKS, enc
us containing water and the other brandy As the
young girl proceeded on her search, the light OF
ne the lantern 1elI on Ine philu FEATURES OF tloSe
IN lying around, and more than once sne stopped To
ry assuage the thirst of dying Eman by administer
tn, ing him draught with her own hand
nd Hour after hO4r she continued her search, till
ct apparently overcome by fatigue, disappointment
to and the horrors OF the scene around her. she sat
lot down on the ground as ii to recover her strength
TO and consider what course she could next pursue
ed Her attendant followed her example, ana Wlllt
fd, TINS seated they heard the murmur OF voices ap
ng preaching them. Presently party OF soldiers
nS appeared bearing aWounqeu man on htter
lds They had hardly passed When the younger OF tht
two women, as II actuated ny sudden impulse
W. sprang up ana loiioWea lhen' ADDRESSING Il vet
eran Of the party, she said, in low tone :
u; soldier can you tell me what part 9f the melt
the Life Guards occupied during the action
ea and whether any OF their wounded are Still lef'
py behlndE
ef. He looked at her moment with an air OF sur
nat prise, and then answered:
so 1--WE are now bearing sergeant of their corp
~ III, to the village OF Nateroo' my laay, Where som
Use of our men have taken one OF their wounde
ION officers"
ON The soldiers passed on, and she reJomed ne
oss attendant WHO, IN the mean ume, had risen I
vas meet her. Ihey followed the party at s4ca
h@ "S distance az 10 heT ten III slsh "lenou' 0ei