The Portland daily press., 1875-08-07

OAA W NAsDA
"At what time shall we order the car
riageW the lveried servant was asked, who
opened the door.
CAT O'clock" was the answer.
Meanwhile the ladies, wrapped in their
cloaks, their heads bare or covered with a
light veil, passed with their silken slippers
along the carpet that was laid across the side
walk. The governor of the fortress, Gen.
Won Kronwachter. was giving the first ball of
the season. The front of the great, gloomy
official building was brilliantly lighted; tor
ches were burning in the street; and two po-
lcemen kept apart the gaping crowd, so
that the guests COLD pass unhindered
grenadiers stood on guard, shouldering or
presenting arms according to the rank of
each new arrival. Carriage after carriage
rolled up; and there were many pedestrians,
almost without exception in uniform. In
the broad vestibule the young officers handed
their cloaks to their servants, and ordered
them for the proper hour, and then passe
on up the broad, carpeted, fower-decorated
stairway, looked once more at their dress in
the great mirrors, and finally advanced with
ceremonious bearing, carrying their helmets
under the left arm.
In the first apartment, where the brightly
lighted suites of rooms extended on either
hand, stood the governor, tall, stately man,
with thick, short grey hair, and a blonde
beard. An abundant collection of high or
ders glistened on his breast. He received
his guests with the extreme of cordiality.
Each might have imagined that he had been
especially invited, and that he was especially
indeed, almost neutrality-suspicious.; in
fact, it often seemed as though the old man
was even surprised at having the happiness
of receiving this or that gentleman or lady.
Still there were differences; sometimes only
one hand was xtended-sometimes the
offered hand was grasped between both those
OF the host; a significant look, quick nod,
was indicative of much. The host, at other
times strict man, was always in a social
and delighted mood when he entertained
company, and his extreme friendliness was
by no means a mere appearance or dscep-
ton; with it all, he had the consciousness
that he represented the chief parsonage of
the state, and that therefore it was his duty
to be condescending. Besides, like many
elderly officers, he greatly resembled the
reigning sovereign; and he increased this re-
semblance still further by accurately initial
ing the latter's style of wearing his beard.
Beside the governor stood his only daugh-
ter, Gabrielle, and greeted the guests with
as much courtesy as dgnity-tho more re-
markable considering her youth. If the
ancient Greeks had known the type Of the
soldiers daughter, they would have made a
model of it; for the type has popularity
not easy to describe. 1t consists not only in
an erect bearing and in ease of movement,
but also in a certain security of expression
and manner, an accuracy of Formally which
nevertheless has an element of careless COM
radery and obvious appropriateness. These
peculiarities evidently have their origin in
the confidence and certainty that attend liV-
ing in limited circle, carefully graduated
according to rank; among class that, I'M
like all others, has made its ranks even out
wardly recognizable in their various grades.
Besides all this, however, Gabrielle was al
ready doing the honors of the house for the
third winter since she left the young ladies'
seminary. Her fair head, with its blonde
locks, its blue eyes, finely.cut lips, and
clearly chiseled features, rested upon a beau
tifully rounded neck and bust; she wore no
jewelry; she was simply dressed in white,
with red sash, and the movements of her
figure were graceful and refined.
"Fraulein, may have the honor of being
put down for dance?' asked young lieu
tenant with brown hair and brilliant brown
eyes.
Certainly. Will you write your name ?
The German, if you will"
Only slight glance from the young man
seemed to say-how very circumspect this lit
tie conversation was! He wrote his name
simply "Hauenstein," for that he was LIST
lieutenant was as well-known as that he was
Baron Won Hauenstein. He retired, CLEAN
OF joy passing over his bright young face
that soon gave place to an expression of seri
thought. He heard it said here and there how
much it was to be regretted that this would
be the last ball for a long time that would be
graced by the bright presence of the govern.
or's daughter-for il had been decided that
she should become maid-of honor to the
queen, whose first lady-in-waiting, the Coun-
tess Truben, was the sister of her dead moth.
er.
The dancing began; the band was stationed
behind an ivy covered lattice in neighborine
room; nobody say how the musicians toied
only the merry danGng-tunes were heard
Hauenstein passed by the most famous beau
ties, surrounded by their admirers as by a
swarm of bees, without trying his fortune
further. He put his dancing card in his breast
pocket he had nothing further to trouble
about He roamed about the rooms, pausine
here and there before painting, statue, OF
some other work of art; and at last he sat
down in the rotunda, and turned over the
leaves of an album that lay before him.
$50 Idle ?" said some one to him. He rose
quickly and greeted the major of his regi
ment, explaining that he hardly felt in the
humor for dancing, that evening. Eyes, yes.
can understand it," replied the major. 81
read it in the paper, to-day, myself. It's pain.
ful-cruel, that's true. He was an obstinate
revolutionist, to be sure; but after all there
was certain Notwithstanding dlstin
guished-about him. Do you know whether
he had any parents or near relations?"
"Only sister, but as far as I know she
lives in France"
..Did he tell you that himself?"
eyes"
ssHe wanted to 60 to France, too?"
he didn't tell me anything of that; and
never asked him about anything which he
didn't refer to of his own accord"
The major laid hand on Hauenstein's
shoulder, saying; cit isn't good thing-ol
rather it is good thing-that it's out OF our
line to trouble ourselves about the prisoners,
or to enter into any relations with them. The
officer of the guard is only TO support the
prison warden. We are not obliged to think
what kind of material may be kept in the
building-whether ammunition or human be.
ings. But come up into the smoking room
there'l IL be some fun to be had there"
They went I'D into the next story: and
here there was quite another scene. In the
billiard-room, where lively play was going on
groups Of men were sitting along the walls Oh
at round tables. They were smoking and
drinking; and the major beckoned to Hauen.
stein TO sit with him at table where several
officers were already seated-among them the
colonel OF the regiment. They were talking
OF promotions, transfers, the new target
practice land now and then of various love
affairs. just then an officer exclaimed -
sab, Hauenstein! You knew the Pole
that's talked of to-day in the newspapers,
member you told me of him.
''The major knew him, too.''
"But you delivered him up,'' insisted tbe
her.
''Indeed?" asked the colonel GLOW was
that? Tell us the matter in detail.
"You know," Hauenstein began, ''that the
mamie was only 81 years oid-had taken
part in the revolution at the capitol. and bad
been sentenced:to confinement in a fortress
He had an unusually fine voice; but when he
first came he sang only at night, when he was
allowed no light. He was afterwards permit
ten to have one, on account of some appli
cation that know nothing about"
"Yes,' interrupted the major, CT was
commissioned to act in the matter, and SC
came into communication with the prisoner
But pray go on"
HE was allowed to study military works
an anu ~ one day, when l was on guard, fel
inl1 conversation with him, and found him
uIgniy' cultured, imaginative man but unfor