Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-24
@Dot vas me himself.
TIE M .As.0 N.
CONCLUDED.

everything necessary had been pre-,
pared for his accommodation.
cit is natural" said Ivan, /" for us
to feel interested for those whom we
have in any way served-nay, no
thanks; perhaps I may one day ask
a richer reward-your friendship
but am strangely situated. Edu-
Gated by my mother in a manner diff
ferent from the generality of our
youths, I have in vain sought for that
companion with whom could ex-
change confidence and feeling. Like
yourself, am Freemason;; but in
Russia the craft is so iealously watch
ed by the Government, that it is only
in secret we can assemble; yet, have
I, as far as opportunity would allow,
practiced its mysteries, and cultiva-
ted its divine precepts. You are the
first Brother, except the Masons OF
Moscow, whom I have ever encount-
cred /; and I feel as if Providence had
bestowed upon me new tie. 4ou
are Of nv own age; you. have deer
feeling. for I marked you when the
bodies of your companions were be,
ing stripped before your eyes While
you soiourn here, [ may learn much
of that world I can never hope to
visit. Yon must be my instructor,
and endeavor to forget that, even for
a moment, we have been enemies.
Should peace lie made, or opportuni-
ty offer, you shall return to your ma
tive country but many months must
elapse ere you can pass the vast en-
pires which divide you from France ;
meanwhile, be happy here with us.
Adolphe grasped his hand, and
warmly expressed his gratitude.
"I make no professions OF friend
ship, dear Ivan; but time will show
that I am not ungrateful.
Farewell" replied his host +" sleep
and refresh vourself-you must re-
quire it after last nights hard bivou-
ac. You will meet at dinner my cous-
in Catharine, and Ann Of Crandstein.
the daughter OF Il distinguished no
BILE; her father leaves her under the
protection OF my mother while he Is
absent with the army. Adieu and
once more remember-we are Broth
erS."
The rescued soldier closed the door
as his host departed, ard, falling upon
his knees, returned thanks to heaven
for his almost miraculous escape.
"Poor major' sighed Adolphe,
as he threw himself upon the couch
"a'l thy banter.1g has found amend
at last"
The events of the day passed in
rapid succession through his brain,
till, gradually becoming less distinct,
his over-excited spirit found refuge In
sleep.
After a short repose, he was reused
from his slumber by a slight pres
sure of the hand, anu found, on st,rt-
ing from his couch, Ivan standing by
his side.
"I regret to disturb you'll" exclaim
ell the host; but the. hour Of din
ner has arrived, and the ladies ex.
pect our presence. "
The young soldier followed him to
the apartment where he had left the
countess. Catharine and her com
panion, the LAZY Ann, were with
her.
Never mad more beautiful being
met his gaze than Catharine zerlns&l.
Her form-just merging into woman
hood--was cast in the full, vo!uptu-
oas mould OF perfect beauty (; her blue
eyes lit up a countenance of the mos
ay..iable expression; while profn-
son of light-hrown curls, whose lux
uriance the small fur cap she wore
could not restrain, fell upon her
shoulders, and gave a graceful con-
foa, to the head and neck
"Hov exclaimed Ivan, gayly,
observing his evident admiration "a
soldier, and taken by surprise? ? What
r.paration can you offer for having
driven our divinities to seek refuge
in these deserts? But here, he con-
timed, "is one. whose anger you
will find more difficult to fropitiate--
not that Won have bean an en~mr.
but that YOU nave hitherto su.irt'''
her 70 remain nnnotlced.
The Lady Ann, whose age and ="
pearance served as foils to her 'aolc
juvenile friend, received Adolphc's :
apology and advances with that care
less good humor which at once restor-
ed him to himself.
The ceremony of introduction be-
ing over, their conversation becare
general; and if, at times, the polish
ed Frenchman smiled at his preserv
er's ignorance of the world and ro-
mantle enthusiasm, the elel,''on Of
his sentiment and goodness OF .e.rt
became more and more apparent.
To Ivan, the. young and ardent
child Of nature, the accomplishments
of Adolphe were subjects of admirs-
ton. He gazed with respect upon
the man who had visited the glori-
Gus capital of Europe-whose steps
had wandered amid the gardens Of
Italy.
His classic descriptions excited his
imagination, and every hour he deem
ed himself more fortunate in the pos
session Of such companion, while
the mysterious bond Of fraternal
union by which they were bound
sanctioned the rapid growth of their
mutual friendship.
frequently would the lovely Cath
arine desert her female companions
to listen to their conversations, and
hang, with attentive ear, upon every
word the young soldier uttered.
Sometimes he would sing to them
the airs of his native land, descrip-
tive of her vine-clad hills and old
romance, or Of those victories which
had rendered her at once the terror
and astonishment of Europe.
The fair Russian possessed rich
natural voice, and was slightly skill