Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1868-01-09


erted that be was appointed to the
command Of the army in Italy, after
which the path that led them up
ward was clear and open, until the
destiny she insisted upon was &C,
compllshed, and the crown was
placed upon her head.
But there was one thing more
that Josephine bad toretold for her
self, which was the utter loss of,
and rank to, which she had been so
wonderfully elevated, and still while
he brooded over this, Napoleon,
who was her lord, gathered new
power and yielded to new ambitions !;
she tried to crush it, and to point
out what should be his true aims
but he was an Emperor and desired
10 be the founder OF new empire.
How well her instincts told her
hat The time was rapidly approach
ing when that ambition would put
her away. Then came the close of
the campaign of 1909, and she saw
nat the hour was approaching still
carer that was to seal both their
i4tes There was no longer the con-
iidence of the past between them
no longer the seeking OF sympathy
and advice.
1t was on the goth of November,
1909, and the court was especially
gay in honor of the king of Saxony.
Josephine sat at the window of her
boudor, looking out upon the river,
when she heard a step at the door,
and rose to receive Napoleon, who
caught her in his arms with more Of
she olden time embraces than she had
Known for months. She led him to
the sofa on-which she had been sit
ting, and seated herself by his side.
For few moments there was silence,
and he spoke:
"Josephine, you have been weep
ing. Are you unhappy ""
mo, sire ! not with you.
Nonsense Josephine, who do
you call sire z" OF late you are
making these forms overshadow all
our happiness.
"Then why should they not be
forgotten by both ? You have now
reached that point of ambition that
should content you. Will you turn
the unquiet god from your bosom
and our own happiness y
you misunderstood me, lady," he
said, quickly rising from bis seat,
and leaning against the window,
''l'm seeking nothing for myself, but
everything for France
at is for France, Napoleon she
said, drawing close to his side and
taking his hand in hers, chat you
would put away from you, not only a
true wife but true friend Think
not that [ have been blind, sire, to
this My alarmed heart has told me
all, and believe me that [ am offering
no protest to your will but oh, sire,
examine well your heart before
you act
He stood silent while she was
speaking, and then, with face turned
full upon the streaming moonlight,
he drew away his hands. She
went on:
"And, oh, sire ! believe me that
though | am to leave your throne
and your side, ! shall never cease to
love you too deeply for any peace.
Therefore it is that | plead that you
will look well into your heart before
you yield your future to bad coun-
sells"
lie drew quickly from the window
and walked forward to the centre of
The room.
"You sympathize with me, madam
act only with reason The good of
he individuals must yield to the
good of France Farewell |"
"stop!'' said she, and Josephine
stepped quickly across the room and
Taught his arm, drawing him as she
lid so again to the window. "Do
you see that star 2" and she pointed
1t one that shone with marked
THAT is my destiny.
BY it you have risen. To me it was
promised throne. Through me you
rave accomplished it; part from me
md you fall. Yes, fall, to die in
sorrow, neglect and exile! Remem-
DER this, Napoleon, and remember
hese words when it is not too late to
ecall the act that no words of mine
AN prevent"
Napoleon gazed almost in terror
It her who stood like prophecies
gazing out with eyes like fire upon
he heavens, and then with heart
.lmost of sickness, he turned away
nd left the room without a word