The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-08-17

f1octieu iof HGf graceful S0DfiiuG
was totally destroyed.
1 9.Until the bandages were removed
which the surgeon did not rs yet juda
it prudent to do, he could not tell til
extent of the Disagreement, but tina
it wouid be very great was certain
| Our silence, and the tears which w
could not repress, acquainted the poo
child with her misfortune. She raise,
her eyes to heaven with a touchin,
expression of resignation. 1T is TIL,
will, my Cod she said, 'but let no
Juan see me thus
"Juann repeated Gertrude; w.
shall soon embrace him.
lis he comings'
"'ln ten days-see YOURSELF She
handed a letter to Marguerite, which
the latter read with cagerness. It was
written by the hand of one of his com.
rades, and informed them that Juan
who had received a severe wound q,
the seige of Zaatcha, was now conval.
escent in hospital; had obtained, as q
reward for his services, cross of mer-
1t, his discharge and pension, and
would be with them in ten or twelve
days at furthest.
Having finished reading the letter,
Marguerite fell into profound reverie,
from which neither Gertrude's fond
caresses nor my attemps at consolation
could arouse her. oh, SIR said she,
at last, it is not, indeed it is not for
his own sake that 1 value beauty,
but how can Juan love me when he
sees me in this stateY At that moment
the surgeon entered, and having felt
his patients pulse, he began silently to
remove the bandages. AS soon as
Marguerite felt that her wounds were
exposed she aslsedfor mirror.
{" Not yet, my child; not to-day
said the doctor. She tried to raise her
hands to feel her face Hold her arms
down. cried the surgeon to the old wo-
man and myself. We did so, involun-
tary turning away onr eyes from the
sight of those swollen and mutilated
features, once so lovely.
Marguerite saw and understood our
movement. Is it not so, sir?' she said
to me calmly; will it not DC impossi-
bic for him to love me- ="
Nine days passed on; the wounds
were regularly dressed, and were now
neatly cicatrized. The tenth day was
that of uan's4expected return; but no
one ventured to speak of it. Early in
the morning, Marguerite arose aud pre-
pared to go out, saying that a walk in
the fresh air would do her good. Of
fered to accompany her.
"sNo, thank you, SIR she said my
good mother alone will come with mc.'
And will, one hand slightly leaning on
Gertrude's arm, while the other held a
small package, she went out. They
toward Juan's rustic seat, but
very slowly, for the convalescent was
yet very weak.
arrived there she knelt down. and,
lfter,a short, silent prayer, she turned
to Gertrude, and, embracing her, said,
bless your daughter, dear mother, for
he last time |; you will never see her
,gain.''
"'What do you mean, my child 2"
"'The truth. / am going away.
Yon will say goodby for me to him,
mother; and tell him that it is ny very
love for him that forces me to fly
" sBut, dear one,' said Gertrude, de-
tanning her, you wrong our Juan; he
has noble heart, and he will love you
all the better for these noble scars,
when he hears that it was in saving
me from dreadful death you received
them.'
"sHo has noble heart replied the
girl; land | know that he would marry
me, and try to make me happy; but
how could Tcndnre his averted looks
his sorrow! No, no; l shall suffer
much less in suffering alone.'
Snst then a we'll known bark was
heard, and q large white dog rushed
outof the woody path. .Cesarl' cried
Gertrude. Where is your mastere'
"sHere he Isl replied an agitated
voice; and holding one end Of cord,
of which the other was fastened to Ca-
sar's collar, a soldier appeared. Moth
err! are you here Where is Margucr-
itee Why don't You come and en-
brace your poor blind wanderer7
"Blind ? exclaimed Marguerite /;
and fixing her eyes ON her betrothed,
she saw that bis were covered with d
bandage. Icannot describe the emo
tons Of all three; suffice it to say, that
after an incredible number ofembra.
braces, Gertrude ard her two children
returned to my house, and we passed q
delightful evening"
Here the carate stopped, and
thought his tale was ended.
Well" | said, 81 suppose the blind
warrior and lis betrotiied-still. in his