The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-12-16

Il
much the young girl was beloved by her
neighbors. Both old and young rushed
forth to meet her. Juan was overwhelmed
with thanks and praised, nor was poor
Caesar by any means forgotten.
| Adieu, Marguerite, said Juan when
he had accompanied her to her cottage
door. May | sometimes come to see
your
| 90 To whom should my door be open if
not to my deliverer?' said the young girl,
| innOcently, at the same time extending
her hand to Juan. He pressed it to his
lips and fastened away.
"When he reached home he found
Gertrude very uneasy at his prolonged
absence. 'Oh, my child! she cried,
where have you been, and what are these
stains of blood upon your dress p
Juan smiled. Don't be uneasy, moth
er; this blood is not mine, but that of an
enemy killed. And he told her all that
had occurred, not concealing the feelings
of admiration and love he felt for her
whom he had rescued.
"'Thank God! my child said the old
woman, that your choice has fallen on
so worthy an object. l have often heard
the beauty and virtuous industry of Mar
guerite commended. She is called by her
1 luC Cdll vi OdlliDdu.
ut never occurred to the affectionate
grandmother that the fair girl in question
could possibly be insensible to the atten-
tions of her boy, and, indeed, the event
| proved that she was not far wrong. Mar
| guerite was of too innocent and frank
nature to play the coquette with him who
had risked his life for hers, and the pre-
liminaries for their marriage were speedi-
| ly arranged.
| "On the morning preceding that on
which the bans were to be published, the
sound OF drum was heard in the peace
| full Valley of Campan, and the Prefect of
the district proclaimed the drawing of con-
scripts for the army. Poor Juan his was
among the first of the selected names, and
at the moment the shock nearly stunned
him. However, he had been taught to do
his duty, and having calmly made the
needful preparations, he drew his be-
trOthed aside and said: Listen to me,
| Marguerite You promired to be mine L
am going away for some years, perhaps
forever; it is right that you should be free;
| l give you back your VOW
"' And L, said the girl, will not take it
back. Whether our next meeting, Juan,
will be here or in that better world to
which, trust, we are both looking, will
never HEtITy any one Out you.
1.-THE young man pressed her hand in
silence. But my mother he said, at
length, while two unwonted tears rolled
down his cheek; she is old, infrm, unable
to work for her support
"' Your mother, JUAN interrupted
Marguerite, is she not henceforth mine?
So long as God gives me strength to work,
our mother shall not want 81 home
"And so with mutual blessings and fond
tears they parted.
Caesar followed his master to the wars,
and Gertrude on the day of Juan's depart
ure took up her abode in Marguerite's
cottage. The old woman managed the
domestic affairs, while the young one car
rled her milk, butter, eggs and poultry to
market. In the evenings, as they both sat
at their spinning wheels, their converse
ton naturally turned on Juan. Where
is he now? What is he doing while we
are speaking of him?' Sometimes their
anxiety was assuaged by the arrival of a
letter, filled with hope and tenderness;
but at length one came which increased
their sorrow. 1t bore the stamp of Algeria
Juan announced that his regiment had
just lan0e1 in Africa, and was Immediate
ly to march on the town of Zaatcha,
where number of insurgent savages had
tllCllSCltcS. SCOIuc SldI
ing was eXpecte-1, as the rebels were
known to be desperate. Under the affect.
ing intelligence the two women found
their only consolation in religion, in COM
mitting their dear one to the care of God.
Every day, on her way to the town, Mar
guerite was accustomed TO pause for few
moments at the spot where she had first
met her betrOtbed, and where during the
happy days OF their courtship, he had
raised rustic seat, she used to kneel be-
side that simple mementO and pray fer
vently; nor did she ever arise and go on
her way without feeling strengthened and
encouraged.
Every evening on her return her first
question was: Has Juan written p And
the old woman would silently shake her
head with despairing gesture, which
seemed to imply Juan will never write
to us again
Zone day as Marguerite was returning
from Bagneres she was overtaken by a
violent thunder storm. There was no
place OF refuge nearer than her own cot
tage, and with her garments dripping, her
eyes nearly blinded by the driving rain,
she fastened toward it. What did she
see? A blazing, lightning stricken pile,
surrounded by crowd sf terrified villa
gers.
"' Motherl.' cried Marguerite, darting
onward, where are your
:" A cry OF agony from within the burn
ing cottage was the reply.
&c Mother, couragel I'll save or die with
your And before the astOunded specta-
tors could detain her she rushed through
the flames. A minute, which seemed an
age OF agOnizing suspense, elapsed, and
Marguerite reappeared, dragging forth
her pious burden, and forming with her
own body a rampant against the flames
Scarcely had she allowed the old woman
to fall into some Of the arms ready to re-
ceive her, when the heroic girl sank down
herself, inanimate.
when she opened her eyes," con-
tinued the curate, she was in an apart
ment in my house, whittier l had caused
her to be carried. Gertrude and had
watched for three days and three nights
by her bed, awaiting the moment of con-
sciOusness. Her first sensation was that
of torturing pain in her face. She raised
her hand to it and felt that it was so en-
veloped in bandages as to leave only the
mouth and eyes free. A cry escaped her
lips: oh, l remember the stOrm-the
fiames-I am disfigured for life-is it not
SOP
eiuo anu WcIc sllcIt. LII was Dut
too true; the devouring elements, leaving
her body, protected by her wet clothes,
untouched, had seized on her face. The
beauty of feature and delicacy of com
plexion, which had procured for her her
graceful sobriquet, were totally destroyed
Until the bandages were removed,
which the surgeon did not as yet judge it
as prudent to do, he could not tell the ex-
tent of the Disagreement, but that il would
be very great was certain. Our silence,
and the tears which we could not repress,
acquainted the poor child with her misfor-
tune. She raised her eyes to Heaven with
a touching expression of resignation. 1t
is Thy will, my Cod She said, but let
not Juan see me thus
"Juanp repeated Gertrude, we shall
soon embrace him.