Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-04-28
LEOPOLD GARDELUX.

at tIit SdIt DOrsdy uTlnhlug aDsln tue.
Gougeon was giving US description of
the last concert at the Tuileries, and in
/ so doing clearly indicated that his head
had been turned by the singing of Mile.
| Nilsson; suddenly we were surprised
by loud laugh from Brumer
Il beg your PARDON" he said, "fOr
laughing. but just happened to think
of something | read in the Figaro to-
day. 1t is here in my pocket. l will
read it to you and then explain"
With these words he produced the
journal and read as follows:
1.-TWO illusIrious couples will be
united tomorrow before the aristo-
cratic altar of Notre Dame. The
wedding will be attended by the most
brilliant and distinguished society of
Paris. On the occasion Madam la
Countess de Gardelux will espOuse
Monsieur lie NiseOunt de Chavigny
Seulis, and Mile. Augusta Helen de
Gardelux will be united TO the Marquis
de Forcepont."
by -the-by, Brumer," | inquired,
"was there not a Gardelux in the
army 7"
"Yes, he died in my arms two years
ago, and the ladies who are to be
married tomorrow are his mother and
4
waste few thoughts upon the dead.
An audible curse accompanied these
words.
my dear fellow exclaimed Fitz-
Moore. ''surely you condemn prema
turely. A devoted friendship such as
you profess is highly honorable, but
/ you cannot desire the door of grief to
be eternally open. Like leaves, tears
have their time to fall. He is dead"
"True, but they forgot him whilst he
| still lived; it was atrOcious. If you
will listen | will explain
Having expressed our willingness, we
/ lighted fresh cigars and Brumer COM
menced:
81 knew Gardelux well. During an
entire year we were stationed at Briska.
Before his arrival we were told that
1 lieutenant from st. c. would join
us, and that he was a young Count.
He arrived Oh horseback, preceded by
Spahi and followed by a muleteer,
who carried his baggage. He was
neither tall or fire looking, having
more the physique of a woman than a
man, and not even the slightest ray of
down graced his upper lip. When he
alighted from his horse he was so weak
/ he staggered. and would have fallen
had not caught him in my arms We
conducted him to his quarters and there
/ left him to seek rest. The officers
were at first rather inclined to ridicule
his effeminate appearance, but the bet
ter rhey learned To know him the more
/ fully they appreciated his character.
He was always cordial and polite, never
! naughty even to menials, but seemed
/ to realize the power of gentle kindness.
We soon learned that his military edu-
cation was of no common order, and
/ the soldiers under him Obeyed him as
implicitly as though he had been IN
appearance the man he certainly was
in mind and character. On entering
/ his room one day | found hlm Ill a state
of very great excitement, and upon my
inquiring the cause, he replied:
Henri, am the most unhappy of
men. | love with all the strength of
my heart, and am not even remem-
bered.
"You p | said surprised.
"Yes,- he continued, "and | suffer
greater torment than any described 10y
Dante. | write almost daily TO mother
and sister, but not one line have l re-
ceived in return
81 offered every sympathy, and finally
saw him grow calm. The succeeding
evening we were assembled at the Inn
Menelie, a bowl of punch had been
mixed, and we were drinking tOasts. l
proposed the health of GardeluX. "To
his glory and Immortality that awaits
him. l said, raising my glass.
"A generous hurrah followed, and in
the enthusiasm the glasses were so
suddenly approached that one was
broken. 1t was that of Gardelux. l
seem still to see the expression of his
face-sO stern and death-like as he
stood with the broken stem of the glass
between his fingers. At that moment
the door was thrown open, and Roland
of the Zephers entered.
.It is time we were off, gentlemen
they are mounting their horses" he
said, quickly.
"a tumult of questions followed,
which led to the information that the
Benz Yalee had revolted and that
pillage was feared.
The order from the general was for
NAL; in one hour We were to start.
Come | cried to Gardelux, who
still sat in silent thought, his face pale
aud wan. Without word he me-
chanically obeyed. | was in the same
company with my friend ours was the
advance guard. As we rode along |
approached him, saying:
"You are happy now, hope"
"Ies,' he responded, "for | may as
well die now as later on in life"
"You ale crazy" | replied. "Why,
your existence as a soldier is about to
cOmmence-successa awaits yOu-dO not
talk of DEATH"
"You know, Henri" he continued,
that | do not usually indulge in present
ments, but this order came under very
peculiar circumstances. You were
speaking of glory-of Immortality
and was thinking of DEATH"
"Well, | predict success and fame.
Why, you will return home covered
with glory. | am sure of it."
''As you will, old fellow" he added,
with sad smile. al will not contra
dict you. but | myself feel under the
influence of a spell. i have written
letters home, and in your hands leave
nv will and two letters. Listen to me
and promise to carry out my wishes If
fate is cruel to me. L desire that you
in person convey the letters to their
destination. One is for my mother, the
other for my sister Helen"
Amarch at night through an unknown
country is neither gay nor picturesque,
and our route on the night in question
was dark and gloomy. The bright
colors of the uniforms were extln-
guished-all voices were hushed. The
football of the men and the vibrating
clank of their arms could alone be
heard. We seemed like a procession
of monks as we silently stole along. /
believe If battles were fought at night
brave men would be scarce, for it
needs the light and warmth of the