Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-05-26

window full Of thought. Towards
evening valet i'm rich livery entered
the room and handed her . letter which
contained these words:
'sCosErTE:-I fought to-day with the
Count de Presval and / am wounded
Had it not been for this you would have
seen me. Your true friend,
PAUL DE BEAUyALET. =
"woundedr" exclaimed the girl, ris.
ing quickly. 81 now understand the
threat Of yesterday. This duel has been
fought for me. / am the cause. / am
ready to accompany yOu," she added,
turning to the servant.
"where, mademoiselle? inquired the
man. ..
''To the Count de Beauvalet," re-
sponded Cosette. -- -ll.
The man bowed i'm silence. Quickly
they descended the stairs, and ere long
crossed into the Rue d'Autin, and en-
tered a handsome hotel. In a moment
more COsette found herself i'm a richly
furnished chamber, and. on bed COW
cred with crimson damask spread lay
the Count.
SIS it true that you are wounded 2"
inquired the girl, in trembling accents.
''Is it you, Cosette 2" inquired de
Beauvalet, in surprise.
"Yes, how could remain away,
knowing l had caused this duel, and
that you are wounded"
'sNot badly, my child, !" responded the
Count, gently, his dark eyes raised to
the pale, beautiful face of the girl.
''GOd be thanked" replied COsette,
meekly. -...f..... ..... ..
"YOu did not hesitate to come to me. ~
"Oh, no, replied the orphan. "Why
should 1? Are you not alone and suf-
feringl"
"True, and your presence brightens
my solitude, for like you, Cosette, L am
an orphan" responded de Beauvalet,
''but l dare not ask you to remain,
knowing the world as do" ..
A red flush of shame cOlOred the girl s
pale face, as she for the first time saw
how unconventional her act had been,
and look of fear CLEANED i'm her dark
eyes.
81 read your note, and for the moment
thought only of danger for yOu," she
said in low voice.
81 will confess, Cosette, that in writ
ing that note hoped you would come
to me-" continued the Count. 81 will
not deceive you, my wound is serious. /"
''But a moment ago you denied all
danger" exclaimed the girl i'm a trem-
bling voice.
'But, feared to alarm yOu."
''DO not bid me leave" responded
Cosette. 81 will save your life, for
will watch over you night and day"
Again the warm flush suffused her neck
and face, but her purpose was un-
broken.
''DO not fear" replied de Beauvalet.
s'You are as safe from harm under my
roof rs though my friend, your father,
stood beside you. Now tell me of your
SELF" he added, closing his eyes nearly.
"NO," continued Cosette, "yOu must
rest. When you have recovered you
shall know the little there is to tell"
"Then listen to me-" responded her
companion. 81 did not know until
yesterday that Frederick Baudot was
dead. After your father rescued me
from the fury of the pOpulace, l was ill
for length of time, aud on my recOv-
cry went to Brittany, where remained
a year. Had not business of great I'M
pOrtance recalled me would still be
many miles from Paris. On my arrival
l made inquiry, and learned that Baudot
was dead. 1 sought his grave, and you,
COsette, know the rest"
The young girl wept bitterly, and i'm
a few words told the story of their pow
erty and the death of her parents. De
Beauvalet listened, much agitated. Sud-
denly his face grew ashen in its pallOr,
and before Cosette could summon as
sistance he had tainted.
For four weary weeks the Count Paul
de Beauvalet lay ill and delirious, his
life despaired Of by all, except the
faithful and gentle nurse who never left
his bedside. Cosette Baudot had learned
to love the pale and suffering man who
Obeyed her gentle voice, and was sOothed
by her soft touch. With a wOman's
ready wit she realized the sacrifice she
had laid at the shrine of that love, but
cOmforted by sense of purity, she for
got all else save her devotion.
One evening as COsette knelt in prayer
beside de Beauvalet, she raised her eyes
to his face, and saw that he was gazing
upon her with look of intense feeling.
"Cosette, are you still here!" mur-
INJURED the Count, feebly. "Still beside
my bed?"
"who would have so carefully nursed
you, had gone away!" questioned the
giff, rejOiced to see that he was again
calm and sensible.
"HOw long have you been with me?"
replied the young man tenderly.
-Four weeks" said his listener,
timidly. -..... r. ....-.. ..t. .-,
"And alone 2" continued the Count.
eyes, alone" was the gentle answer.
''GOd will reward you for this sacri-
fiee," said de Beauvalet, with look
which at once expressed a deeper feel
ing than was spoken in his words. "YOu
have restored me to life, COsette. Will
you accept that life? Although sinless,
you have sacrificed your fair name
know then that by my love can atone" :"
"Your love?" murmured Cosette.
"Yes," responded de Beauvalet, .'and
in your eyes i read that my love is re-
turned"
For an instant, Cosette hesitated, a
look of radiant joy beamed upon her
face, and the throbbing Of her bosom
spoke plainly this intensity of her emo
ton. ... - .
"I do love you," she whispered. 81
do love you, for have not given you
proof; but am only the daughter of
Frederick Baudot, and you are the Count
de Beauvalet. / am too humble to as
pire to be your wife, but hold my honor
too dear to be your mistress"
'Cosette, we are equals" responded
de Beauvalet. "In me you recognize
nobility Of birth, in you 1 behold no.
bility of virtue. Ny beloved, heaven
has sent you to me. oCOsette, L claim
you before the world as my wife," o..
ThinkiDg.