The Republican journal., 1873-11-27
Cecile,

France, that has been created By the
armies in times OF peace as it had been
conquered in q war by the French armies.
Algiers is Paris Of course, but in be-
coming French ii had lost all its Oriental
pcculiaritcs, aud in this it is as much
more attractive shat pari, than romance
is to real Life
When was ordered to remain i'll AlgierS
with hmy regiment coming from Marseiles,
came with most delightful anticipations.
was young lieutenant then, and my
success With the fair sex in various gar
rison towns where | had been gave me
most brilliant ideas in regard to the ad-
ventures that would bcfall me in Algicrs
Uouris, with eyes like stars cnyeloped in
cashmere, covered with diamonds, living
in palaces with fountains OF rose water,
and bowers of orange flowers. rose before
ne Indeed the officers talked 50 much
and so eagerly about the charms Of the
eastern women, their passion and their
devotion, that | felt ready to risk my life
to obtain a sight Of one OF the lovely crea-
tures who haunted my dreams.
Now this was to be the romance Of my
life The reality was already all arranged
and settled in Europe-and, to tell the
truth, though my imagination was in Al
geria my heart was in France with the
girl 10 whom had been betrothcd since
my infancy. Like all Trenchmcn, knew
that | could marry only the young lady
who would be thought by my parents to be
suited to me in station or fortune; ! knew
that only such a wife could suit me, and
had not the slightest idea nay eastern
romance would interfere with any OF my
engagements, not even with my love.
For l loved my betrothed though | had
not seen her since she was a child. The
daughter Of an old friend of my fathers,
she had been brought up by her mother
in the strictest seclusion, ard in my wan
dering, soldiers life had not seen her
for six wears. But this was my last years
probation: at the close Of the autumn |
was 10 return to Marseiles Cecile was
to come with her mother beneath my
fathers roof, and we We're to be married
The passion ] intended to feel for one
Of the Oriental houris had nothing TO do
with the holy love torry future wite-for
the future mother of my children. She
was cncaSod in the holiest temple OF my
heart-thc very altar fire Of my life; the
Oriental episodes We're but as the light
brilliant and cyGncsccnt.
Ii so happened that at one OF the cafes
made the acquaintance Of an intelligent
rich old jew merchant, who from the
first appeared to take extraordinary IN
tercSt in me He amused me with details
Of Oriental lie and manners; told me the
lcgands Of the country, and. In tact,
seemed 10 be a living page tron, the
''trabian Nights
III return, told him all the c!rcum-
stance ot my life. All my military adven-
tures, and even IN 4 moment OF cXtraordi-
nary confidence. went so far rs to tell
him all about Cccilc and our future mar
riaee. This was done rather to give him
an idea Of our European customs than
with any idea Of contiding in him. !
scarcely fell the indclicacy Of talking about
Cecilc, because he was 50 utterly stranger
to her.
Ihad been some weeks in Algicr, watch
ing anNiously for an adventure, when one
day a note was put into my hand 1t was
highly perlumcd, and tied, instead Of be-
ing sealed with q gold thread. 1t was
written in a most elegant hand, and was
in the purest French, and it hadc me re
pair at nine O'Clock to one of the mosques
where a most important revelation would
be made to me Here was an adventure
at last In the excitement Of the moment
rushed to the jew.
"What am | to do? What does this
mean?"
1T means that YOU are handsome dog
and that some of our lovely women have
fallen in love with YOU"
"What am | to do r.
$50 to the rendezvous of course.
''Wil there be danger? Must 60
armed ?"
1T woulG be more prudent.
At nine O'Clock, as the clock struck
some one touched me on the shoulder.
You are cXact--that is well, ~ and as
turned beheld an old woman, dressed in
the costume of the country, standing near
me.
Are YOU Lieutenant Raoul Duchene p
said she. speaking in French, and with
only q slight accent
Yes
You are lately from Marseilles2" ="
Yes"
You remember Cecile?"
..Cecile," | cried-"Cecile Eclaze? p
'rTis she who has written to you?'
"Cecile, my betrothed; she is in Boz
deaux with her mother.
Ssh, was, bnt she is now here a slave
in Algiers."
but the letter is not in her writing
Not asyou knew her writing formerly :
True, a slave-Cecile slave9 How
did she know that was here p
'.Shc saw YOU from behind the grating
Of her window
Take me to her inclosure.''
Not until you have given me Your
word that you will save her.
AT the risk of my life; but how, in
heavens name. did she get here?'
'She will tell you all tomorrow, when
you meet"
'Let me see her tonight
'lmpossible."
ssTo-morrow. then shall not rest till
them
Tomorrow brt remember, silence
an indiscretion might ruin all p
l was obliged to be satisfied, but my
excitement was so great that | could not
restrain il confided all to my friend
the Jew.
''Be very prudent said the Jew, land
remember that the French government
allows the natives the exercise of their re-
ligion and the freedom of their own special
trades To interfere between merchant
and his slave would be dangerous"
| listened, of course, to no arguments,
and at nine o'clock the next night was at
the place the Arab woman had indicated.
Cecile, my Cecilc, the pure and gentle
young girl, in the power of Mahomme-
dan--it was horrible.
Follow me-" said the old woman, and
we entered low gate, and after various
windings found ourselves in white mar
bic hall, most brilliantly illuminated.
'Here is the danger. Once we can get
through here into Ceciles apartment we
are safe"
We crossed the hall without impedi-
ment. We entered the apartment, which
seemed dim to me after the hall; but
bright, indeed, all appeared when, from
an inner room, a lady advanced