The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-06-07
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

condition Dy very opposite way. L
: had become Indifferent to society,"
, avoided it, as could, not because men
had deceived me but because | never
hoped to find people so amiable as the
| Cransac family. Whoever has become
possessed of the rare, cares not fer the
common. The death of my father, who
left me a respectable estate and the
hopelessness of retiring from the service
aggravated my peculiar mood of mind.
In this uncomfortable state / contin-
ued still for two years. This period
was rich in events and deeds, which de-
serve rather to be forgotten than related.
a bullet under the walls of Tarragona
put an end to my military career. Short
ly before, had received the rband of
the Legion of Honour and the rank
of lieutenant-colonel. The walls of
Tarragona were stormed. | headed
my battalion, and musket-ball which
struck my foot threw me to the
ground. l was borne out of the melee.
My soldiers loved me. / lost much
blood and for time all consciousness.
| was carried to Barcelona. 1t was "a
question for while whether my foot
should not be amputated. To me it was
a matter of Indifference. 1t would not
have disturbed me had l been told that
| was to die. The thought that / should
be compelled all my life to hobble about
on crutches had nothing very pleasing
in it.
Ny case took turn. A young sur
geon took great interest in me, and
boldly withstood his superiors, who
decided that my foot ought to be cut
Off The young man knew more than
his elders, which is not uncommon.
The doctors quarelled long. The
chief physician insisted that / mu st
lose my foot or my life. 1t was inevi-
table. The young surgeon maintained
that both could be saved, only the
wounded limb would be stiff, and l
should be rendered unfit for military
service. They left the matter at last to
me. / resolved to put myself into the
hands of the young man. And l re-
solved wisely. I preserved both foot
and life.
Ic CulC Vas lttllOttS. ODlulilttl All
honorable dismission, with years pay.
They dragged me from Barcelona to the
baths, from the baths to Figueras and
Perpigan. BY the help of cane could
again walk about without pain or limp
ing. My foot was only very weak.
But even this weakness soon vanished,
leaving only slight stiffness.
was advised to continue the use of
i the mineral baths. | determined to go
home and take possession ofmy paternal
estate. But as my property under the
charge of q relative, was well taken care
Of / thought, not without a beating of
the heart, of the baths at Cransac. All!
l had thought of them only too often
Yet hesitated not little about going
there. Fanchon was without doubt
married by this time. In four or five
years much must have changed in the
family of Albret. And even if Fan
chon were still free, what had l to do
except? had loved her, but she had
never loved me. She might not be
alive. My heart tiuttered at the thought.
Better for me then to remain in ignorance.
ri was now as happy and harmless as
any one could we'll be with a stiff foot.
No passion disturbed me. The storm
of the first love had passed by. | was
independent, and the world was open
before me.
| fought long with myself and at last
determined to go whittier my under
standing forbade and my heart drew me
to Cransac.
In comfortable carriage, which l
fortunately purchased at Perpigan, l
set out, accompanied by my trusty
Thomas.
When, after some days, saw lying
. before me in the distance the little spot
which had so often occupied my
thoughts, a strange anxiety siezed me.
? i wished that l was going elsewhere
r and almost gave command to the po-
= stiliou to turn about. | had foreboding
f that it was not wise in me to go to Gram
i sac-that misfortune awaited me there,
g ! sought in vain to subdue this superstl-
It tious fear. | rode into the village ana
y stopped with beating heart before the
e only too we'll known inn.
t II was "A lovely Sunday morning
It The whole family were ut church, eA-
@ cont. She came towards me as
d entered the house. Whose heart could
|. belp beatingo 1t was Fanchon. 1t was
st not Fanchon, but Fanchon transtigured,
ac deifed.
| had always thought of her as the
le lovely girl of scarce sixteen but what
v Il change had four years made 1t was
4. the maiden, in the full bloom of beauty,
V of tenderness, Of dignity cannot des-
r sribe the impression which the vision
Il made on me. With silent bow con-
i continued standing speechless before
her. She welcomed me in her friendly
e way, with that smile of hers 50 peculi-
| arity bewitching.
+ ''Good heavens! how beautiful you
c have grown !" said at last; "but you
Is do not recognise me-"
!, She did not indeed recognise me 80
y speedily as | recognised her, Her blush,
i the joyful sparkling of her eyes betray-
It ed her recognition of me. $40 you
= hold us then for folks ofso short mcm-
| ory ?" said she; sit was only yesterday
,r evening that we were talking of you.
1t We thought that you must be lost and
o. dead, at least for Us. What miracle