Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-11-24


the staircase he encountered Madame Won
Berlingen, but he saw her not--his eyes
were glazed-he did not notice or return her
salutation. He threw himsefupon his bed,
without undressing, and toward morning
fell into an unrefreshing and dream peopled.
slumber.
When he arose late the next day, he look
ed at himself in the glass, but scarcely re-
cognized his own face, so changed Yves he
10y the mental agonies he had undergone.
When he paid some little attention to his
toilet, he received message fiom Madame
Won Berlingen requesting the favor of an
Interview in her apartments. He mechani-
cally obeyed the summons, though ill.ftted
to sustain conversation with lady.
The widow requested him to be seated.
"AIr. Wastein," said she, with smile,
'you are growing very ungallant. l met
you last night upon the staircase, but, though
spoke to you, you had not word or nod
for me.n
"Last night, madame" answered the un-
fortunate young man, 81 was beside myself.
o, madame, if you knew ALL"
81 do know all" replied the lady.
"What that had been gambling--that
had thrown away yes, those are the words
every 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 furnish me
with similar sum, even if l were base
enough to accept it at his hands,"
"But if some friends were to step for
ward"
Iypo,v ,opo,
"Mr. Walstein," said the lady, 81 am rich
a loan of the requisite amount would not
affect ME in the least"
80, madam" cried the young man, 'if
you would indeed save me by your generosi-
ty, you would BE an angel of mercy"
'What is the amount of your loss 2" in
quired the lady, calmly, as she unlocked her
desk.
'Three thousand ducats," answered Ernest
"But can give you no security for the pay
ment." :.
"Your note of hand is sufficient" said the
lady, handing the young man a package 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 a pen and commenced.
"The date" said the lady.
Ernest wrote it.
"Received of Anna Won Bcrlngen the sum
Of three thousand ducats"
Ernest wrote and repeated thou
sand ducats.n
''In consideration, promise to marry the
aforesaid Anna Won Berlingen"
ITO marry you?" exclaimed Ernest.
"Ay--to marry me!' said the lady. "Am
deformed-am l ugly-am poorl'
81 cannot do it-you know not the reason
that induces me to refuse"
"Ther 60 home to your father and con-
fess your guilt"
Ernest reflected few moments. He could
no. go home to his father with the frightful
! tale. 1t was question between suicide ard
marriage he signed the paper.
"Now, then, baron" said the widow to
herself, as she carefully secured the promise,
"you cannot say that you broke the heart
of Annie by your cruelty. Take the money
| Ernest she added aloud, ''go and purchase
J your commission"
Ernest obeyed His dreams of yesterday
morning had all been disspated by his own
! act he felt a degraded and broken spirited
criminal. He had sold himself for gold.
"Here comes Captain Ernest!" cried ! a
youthful voice. And beautiful blue.eyed
| girl of nineteen stood at the garden gate
of a pretty farm house, watching the APP
/ proach of a horseman, who, gaily attired i'll
a huzzar uniform, was galloping up the
road. At her shout of delight sturdy old
! grey haired man came forth and stood be-
side her.
Captain Ernest" he repeated, "that
sounds WELL When was of his age only
carried a musket in the ranks. l never
dreamed then that n son of mine could eveI
aspire to the epaulette,'
Ernest waved his hand to Meena Alien,
berg and his father, rode past them to the
stable, where he left his horse. He then
rushed into the farm house, where his father
met him.
"What is the meaning of this boy =" he
said. "IIow wild and haggard you look
J And you have avoided Meena-and this, too
upon your wedding day. "
( "My wedding day--O heaven shall
die" said the young man, sinking into q
! seat
! AS soon as he could collect himself, he
told his father that lie could not marry
Meena, and the reason-he had pledged
| himself to another The old man, who was
! the soul of honor, burst into violent impre-
cations and drove him from his presence.
! AS he left the house, the unfortunate young
man encountered person whom he a. once
recognized as the Baron Won Danger6eld
the reputed sutton of Madame Won Berlin
! gen. f f.
II have been looking for you, Captain
| Walstein," said the baron sternly.
sand you have found me" answered the
| young man, shortly. ....l...
"Yes- and | thank heaven you wear that
uniform. 1t entities you to meet German
noble, and answer for your conduct"
II am answerabie for my conduct to nc
living man." retorted Ernest.
"You wear a sword" ,.
"Yes."
"Very well-if you refuse to give satisfac
tion for the injury you have done me, in
rob5ing me of my mistress, will proclaim
you coward In the presence of the regi
ment upon parade"
80, make yourself easy upon that score
\ baron, p answered Ernest. life is of too
little worth to me to think of shielding it
If you will step with me into the shadow o
yonder grove we can soon regulate our ac
counts. =" "l.H,- ,l11alaH3 saI E1'l sIls
The two men walked silently to the ap
pointed spot, and, without any preliminaries
drew their swords ard engaged in combat
The struggle was not of very long duration
!, for Ernest wounded his adversary in thu
sword arm. and disarmed him. 1 iraan