The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-01-27

her tongue aud dragged il ont ms with
an iron wise. After A fearful struggle
he succeeded in dashing the strangled
beast on the ground. This done. Jnan
looked round to see if his faithful ally
had need of assistance. No. his an
tagonist also lay dead. and the hunter
had time to attend to the woman. who
lay motionloss on the ground, having
tainted from excess of terror. Her
deliverer raised hcr.geutly in his arms,
put back her rich brown hair that had
fallen on her face, aud perceived that
she was a young and very lovely girl.
Taxing handful OF the snow which
lay on the ground he rubbed it on her
temples, and thin succeeded in putting
some small bits OF ice into her mouth.
By degrees she revived, her eyellds un-
closed, and she drew deep sigh.
where am = she murmured.
"Safe with a friend
1t was you, then, who saved me ?"
Rather Providence, who was pleased
to employ my hand
She thanked him with look far more
eloquent than words; and then with
conhdinS simplicity, as she still felt
weak, asked him to let her lean on his
arm as far as her home. 4" was going
to town. she said, ITO sell some milk,
when those dreadful wolves attacked
me, upset my pitcher, and, but for
your timely aid and that OF your good
dog, would surely have dcvoured me. "
The conversation thus commenced
did not flag. Juan soon learned that
Marguerite lived in the hamlet Of Cam
pan that she was an orphan, aud had
no property save a small cottage and
some hens. She managed to support
herself with the profits Of these animals
aud her spinning. Her perfect caudor
and her innocent beauty charmed the
honest heart of Juan he thought that
were he possessed of all the treasures
of the world he would like to Law them
at Margucrites feet. On entering the
village the news of their adventure
spread quickly, and it was easy to sec
By the consequent excitement how much
the young girl was beloved by her
neIshboTs' Both old aud young rushed
forth to meet her Juan was over
whelmed with thanks and praise, nor
was poor Caesar by any means forgotten.
Adieu, Marguerite" saidJuan when
ne had accompanied her 10 her cottage
door; "May L sometimes come to see
you
TO whom should my door be open
II not to my deliyerer| said the young
glrl, lnnocently, at the same time ex'
tending her hand to Juan, oppressed
1t to lIis lips and hastened away.
Nhen he reached home he found
Gertrude very uneasy at his prolonged
absence, I'm, my child she cried
where nave you been, aud what are
these stains OF blood upon your dress?'
Juan smiled. " Don't be uneasy
mother; tins blood Is not mine, but that
oil an enemy l Killed. And he told
her all that had occurred, not conceal.
ing the feelings OF admiration aud love
he ielt Tor her whom he had rescued
"Thank God my child, /" said the old
woman, "that your choice has fallen on
so worthy an object. | have often heard
the beauty and virtuous industry OF
Marguerite commended. She is called
by her neighbors the Pearl of Campan. -
1t never occurred to the aifectionate
grandmother that the fair girl in ques.
tion could possibly be inscnsible to the
attentions OF her boy, and, indeed, the
improved that she was not far wrong.
Marguerite was oftoo innocent and frank
a nature to play the coquetto with him
who had riaked his life for hers, and
the preliminaries for their marriage
were speedily arranged.
On the morning preceding that on
which the bans were to be published,
the sound of drum was heard in the
peaceful Valley of Campan, and the
Prefeet OF the district proclaimed the
drawing of conscripts for the army.-
Poor Juan! his was among the first of
the selected names. aud at The moment
the shock nearly stunned him. How.
ever, he had been taught to do his duty.
and having calmly made the needful
preparations, he drew his betrothcd
aside and said "Listen to me. Mar.
guerite. You promised to be mine. I
am going away for some wears. perbaps
forever it is right that YOU should be
II