The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-09-26
refused the opiAss shas va anaIIy forcod

the necessary orders for atranspe pertation
to my home. Witha Joyous heart did I
again walk the streets.of my Essive vii
lage, and with SeYerish haste and hurried
strides approached my mothers humble
cottage. Oh II I only had her arms
around MY neck now, her pure kiss on
my brow, and, as then, feel the warm
clasp of Marie's hand and see her joy
Gus upturned face, while her tear-dim-
med eye looked lovingly into mine. At
first was quite happy at home and most
sadly regretted I was not free to remain,
bat so soon as the army bulletins reached
our village, I was transformed into q
hero. Those. who once would have
upon me as If was far their superior.
Being thus feted and feasted by those
with whom never dared hope to associ
ate, was again in the tolls, and the pic
ture of the happy days to come, when
Marie would be my wife, and mothers
presence bless our humble home, paled
before the brighter lurings of ambition.
Before my furlough had expired, began
to feel ashamed of my humble parent
age, and no longer acted. toward Marie
MS my afianced wife, though she uttered
no word of complaint or resentment,
Had not my heart been dead to every
appreciation of the pure and good, every
prompting of manly honor and the calm
dictates of reason as to the promotion of
my own future happiness, would have
married her then. At last came the day
of my life of all others the most accurs-
ed. 1 had dined at the chateau of no.
bleman and returned home under the
influence of wine. Marie and mother
attempted to induce me to retire. but
only taunted them with their inferiority,
as we'll as what had accomplished and
the name I had won. I finally fell into
o drunken stupor, after having most un-
feelingly lacerated the hearts of the only
two persons in the world who loved me.
When awoke late next morning, my
wound was infamed, my nervous system
unstrung, and my head feeling as if it
would burst. In this condition, the sad
faces before me were reproach L could
not bear, and I soon made an opportuni-
ty to vent my spleen upon Marie most
harshly. Mother would not stand that,
and justly took her part against me,
which enrsged me all the more, and I
broke forth in most heartless strain,
informing them I was no longer q child
and would not remain where I was, die
tated to and treated as one. Turning to
my servant, ordered my accoutrements
to the village inn, where could take the
public coach and join my command.
When mother saw was going, she arose
from the chair upon which she sat, sob
bing like child, making one tottering
step, convulsively stretching her arms
toward me, she exclaimed:
ooh! my child, come back" and fell
fainting into Marie's arms, who ex-
claimed:
'Mr. Louis should be ashamed of him.
self, though it is not he that speaks
thus"
There were two spirits within me strug-
Cling for the mastery. One prompted
me to throw myself beside that inani-
mate form, and in fearful repentance sue
for pardon for the agony my heartless
cruelty had caused, but the demon con-
quered, and strobe away. That was
the last look my mother ever gave me OH
earth. Those were the last words her
lips ever pronounced that reached my
ear, but the glare of burning Moscow
could net light up the shadow of that
appealing look. The ten-fold deep thun-
der tones of the volcanic throes of the
kremlin could not drown the words:
1 saw my mother, she was cold in death
AtSh AAA@lA OAO ShOCho OlISutCuSo uOU W lly
kiss; her cold hand gave back no recipro-
cal clasp, and those rigid features relaxed
not at my pleadings of pardon or vail
of despair What q mockery my life
then appeared to me. For one look of
forgiveness from those closed eyes, one
loving clasp from those cold hands, if in
my power, would freely have given all
proud ambition had accomplished since
the beginning of time. Then heard
Marie's footsteps and felt her cold hand
on my forehead.
ooh, Louis, do not weep; she is free
now, and from far out beyond yon
twinkling stars, where earth's shadows
never reach, those dear angel eyes will
still beam lovingly OIL you aud mo-"
l looked again and saw 10 expression
Of pain or sorrow on that face. The
contour of the mouth seemed moulded
by an angel smile, and over all there
shone reflection of the far-off glory, as
if Immortality at the instant. of its fight
had stamped its impress on the clay it
left behind. I was only allowed two
days at home, and when I bid Marie
good-by, she took our betrothal ring from
har finoav and turpipo bav fooo w, t/,