River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-09-23

turned Iheheld an old woman. dressed in
the costume Of the country, standing near
me.
Are you Lieutenant Baoul Duchene9D
said she, speaking in French, and with
only a slight accent
"Yesn f.
"You are lately from Marseilles ln
"Yes,n
"You remember Cecile %
"Cecile," cried" Cecile Velaze ?"
"'Tis she who has written 10 you.D
"Cecile, my betrothed she is in Bor.
Geaux, with her mother.n
"She was, but she is now here slave
in Algiers.n ta aasuf
" But the letter is not in her writing"
" Not US YOU knew her writing former
ly."
True, slave-Cecile slaye9 How
did she know that was here ?7
"She saw you from behind tho grating
Of her Window
stake me TO her enclosure
"Not until you have given me your
word that you will save her.p
AT the risk of my life; bat how, in
Heavens name, did she get here %
"She.will tell you all tomorrow, whe-
you meet.p
"Let Rs see her tonight
lmpossible.2
Tomorrow, thep, shall not rest till
then"
Tomorrow but remember, silence
au indiscretion might ruin all y
was obliged to be satisfied, but my
excitement was so great that could not
restrain it. Ieonided all to my friend the
jew.
Be very prudent" said the jew, and
remember that the French Government
allows the natives the exercise Of their re.
ligion and the freedom OF their own trades
To interfere between o merchant and bis
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 Ceeile, the pure and gentle girl
in the power OF Mshomedan, it was horri.
BILE.
"Follow me,n said the old woman, and
we entered low gate, and alter various
windlngs found ourselt in white marble
hall, most brilliantly illuminated.
| "Here is the danger. Once we can get
through here into Cecile's apartment we
are safe.n
eve crossed the hall without impedi.
ment. We entered the apartment, which
seemed dim TO me after the hail; but
bright, indeed, all appeared when, from an
inner room, lady advanced.
She wore the costume of the country,
and the hesvy silver wells with which
the women are concealed in Algcrs fell
over her.
In another instant she raised her veil
and | beheld the loveliest creature | had
ever seen in my life-her large, brilliant,
yet melting eyes, fixed ON me.
| threw myself at her feet.
" Do | then see you again ?D
haoul,0 she replied, in a low, soft
voice, shave you not forgotten me ? Do
you not love me still ~
"Love you still Never have you been
out Of my thoughts; but how are you herel
Here and a slave! How did you leave
your happy home How did you come in
this mans power 7"
listen to me, Raoul, and you will see
how naturally | fell into the tolls three
years ago A young Arab was sent to
Bordeaux to complete his education. lie
fell in love with me. A marriage between
us was, OF course, impossible, even had |
not been betrothed TO you Hassan under
stood this, and seemed to have abandoned
all the feelings of love he had entertained
Tor me. A month since he ANNOUNCED To
US his departure for his native country,
and as last proof Of his friendship, asked
my mother % honor him with a visit ON
board tho vessel that was to take him from
us--a eondescenslon he called it. Nv
mother consented. We went, accompanied
only by Hassan, who came to fetch US. II
was easy To separate US, both curious as
We we're to see the various parts Of the
ship. When at last | tried 10 reiOin nv
mother, she was gone. What became OF
her | cannot tell YOU. All know is that
the vessel sailed, while fell IN swoon
at the feet Of IIassan. When ! recovered,
he told me he had determined that should
be his; he had sacrificed everything Ia
obtain me SO am here, and Providence
has sent you 10 my assistance
"Ims very night we will Ay"
ihaN Nanhut Des hnoulu DO missed,
traced, and again captured, No, Raoul,
you must take me hence to French vessel
ready TO sail that very n'ght.n
"But ! cannot 60 with you. dare
not leave Algiers without leave OF
absence
a can reach Msrseilles in safety. There
can await you. Only get me beyond the
power of these people,
| sw0re 10 free her--to obey her she
was so beautiful, 50 tender, so sad, that |
would have dared anything for her de.
liyerance. Each night, introduced by the
Arab woman, came TO her. She was
moro lovely even than had ever dreamed.
She bad grown into different being from
the one had cherished in my heart;
often, in our short interviews, did refer
to our early days, but the remembrance
seemed TO sad for her to hear the names
~ ,ho-c We loved, her family-mine, all
brought tears TO her eyca
There was an inehable joy 10 me in
these interviews, stolen and dangerous rs
they were, and but Of "A few minutes dura.
lion still burned to free her from the
power Of this Hassan, even at the pain Of
not seeing her, | would have tried the