The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-17

told Gen. Dufour that he might re-
turn 20 France rs soon as he pleased.
The GeneEal had written to the sig
nora several times during his conpa-
lescenca, and her replies had como to
him regularly. Size ,reioiced at his
promotion and the fame he had won.
and sympathized with him in his suf-
ferings. She would visit him, conld
che follow her own inclination, but
that was then an impossibility. She
hoped he would soon be we'll enough
to return to France, for she longed TO
see 80 true q friend as che believed
him to be. But not word of love
did the letters contain. They were
written quietly--the General almost
thought coldly-and he would have
suffered twice the danger and the
bodily torture he had passed through
to have gained from her one word of
the tenderness his heart so fiercely
craved.
Yet he was not discouraged. He
had made up. his mind to win the
beautiful signora for his wife, and he
was not man to fail in matters upon
which he had set his heart
When he was pronounced we'll
enough to travel, he lost no time in
making his arrangements, aud was
soon en- route for Genoa, from which
place he proceeded to Mnrseilles, and
thence to Paris, as he was not yet
well enough to hazard the Journey
over the Alps.
In two hours after he reached Paris
he was in the presence of Signora
Fonti. She received him joyfully,
and with warmth that made his
heart thrill with happiness. She WAS
as beautiful as ever, but she was
somewhat paler and thinner than
usual. She mad not been well, she
said, and was now just getting back
her strength. She made him tell her
everything that concerned himself;
and when he spoke of the mysterious
Sister of Mercy, and her strange de-
votion to him, and the loss of the
ring, the signora looked at him With
singular smile, and said: ''I won
der who she was. Some one that
loves you very much, I suppose.
He started as she spoke. He held
her hand in his, and his eyes were
fixed upon it, while a happy smile
stole over his face.
eyes, I believe so now," he said,
earnestly. cit was some ono that I
loved very dearly, and 1 believe now
that she loved me then, and loves ME
still. Do L err, dear Sister The
resa?"
There were tears in his eyes us he
spoke; but he smiled happily, and
pointed to the missing ring, which
now glittered on the signora's hand.
l do not know her exact answer to
his question, but 1 do know that it
satisfied him, and that she told him
she loved him we'll enough to marry
him.
81 loved you," she said, tenderly,
when you went away, only did not
know it. But when l thought of the
danger to which you were daily ex-
posed, I saw how dear to me you
were, and for your sake determined
to do my. duty to my country. L dis
gnised myself as 8 Sister of Mercy,
aided by the Superior of the Order
here, who is my friend, and went to
Milan to nurse the wounded. L was
happy in being there, as L was near
to you. When you were wounded
and brought to Milan, L asked per-
mission to nurse you, because 1 loved
you. would have given my life to
save you, and Heaven blessed my
efforts and restored you to health.
When you recovered your conscious
ness, l went away, because L did not
wish to be recognized by you. I
wanted you to know that L loved you;
and us L could not tell you. [ took
with me the ring 1 had given you,
knowing that when we met again you
would recognize it, and that would
explain everything"
That night, Gen. Dufour wrote to
the surgeon that he had solved the
mystery of the ring. and found out
the true name of the Sister of Mercy.
"Indeed," he added, "the discovery
l have made is very pleasant one; !;
and if you can be spared from your
duties, L shall be glad to have you
visit me one month from to-day, to
witness my marriage with this self
same Sister Theresa"