The Portland daily press., 1875-08-07


that the young man assured me in extrava-
| CANT language of his gratitude to me, and
| vowed to visit me, the very hour he secured
his freedom. l made no answer, but gave
orders that if he should be announced he
should be told was not at home. During
| the last six weeks he made marks upon the
wall, and every Gay erased one; every one SO
| obliterated brought the time nearer when his
| prison should open. ! was in charge OF the
| citadel, when, at s O'Clock, the young Pole
was to be released. Suddenly at 5 O'Clock l
was awaked; the superintendent of police of
| the town was there, and with him two stIan-
| gers. He gave an order from the ministry, to
deliver the young prisoner to these two men.
l did not know what it meant-but I must
say it was bitter task. led the men into
his cell; and when his eyes fell unon them he
cried out in a piercing voice: ''Those are my
executioners! And that you, Of all men,
| should be compelled to give me up to them!
But no reproach rests upon you'll ask your
PARDON turned away; and the two men
walked behind him while two soldiers with
| loaded muskets led the prisoner away be-
| tween them. He did not look back-and-"
Hauenstein paused and drew long breath
| he felt that had not borne himself in that
| strict military fashion toward his superior
| which must not be forgotten even at ball or
| in the midst of social excitement. He went
on therefore,
"What followed you have read in to-days
paper. As the young man was carried across
| the Russian frontier he sought to escape, and
was cut to pieces"
''It's pity" said the major; she was as
you have said, of q noble nature, in spite
Of"
"Herr Won Hauenstein," cried an ensign,
approaching hastily, "Fraulein Won Kran-
watcher sends word that the cotillon is begin
ming"
Hauensteiu rose quickly and went down
into the ballroom. Fortunately, he still ar
rived in time, for only the preparations were
| in progress.
"Why have you not danced all this timer"
asked Gabrielle.
81 was resting, to be so much the fresher,"
! replied Hauenstein, collecting himself; and
with Gabrielle he began to lead the dance.
| 1t was clear that several bright and merry
| figures had been agreed upon between them
beforehand. Elderly ladies sitting in raised
| arm-chairs along the walls, conversed to-
| gether, and agreed unanimously that Hauen-
stein enjoyed special favor. 1t was true he
| was of good family, but wretchedly poor;
Gabrielle seemed TO prefer him; but it would
| be ridiculous beyond measure if he should
imagine he could carry off the child just be-
| cause the governor permitted him to play du-
cts with her. One of the ladies, on whose
sharply marked features former beauty and
present ambition were strongly stamped, said,
with smile that challenged further social
ISLANDERS: sit will be very beneficial for Frau
lein Gabrielle to spend while at court, to
learn how to keep in proper subordination.
1t is very dangerous for such child to have
her own way without contradiction in so
| great house, and Gabrielle has by nature
her share of strength of ,will-which, per-
| haps, borders on obstinacy."
No npo apcworad har Tn tho antino
| the young people asked nothing of the future
they seemed happy in the present. But
| still Gabrielle asked, during pause: st
| seems to me there is an lrrepressble melan-
| choly in your face to-day. Cannot you tell
me what troubles you?"
| 'Not here-not now But can say this
much-it does not concern me personally"
Every well-then drive it out of your
| Thoughts"
| And the young man seemed to succeed as
her last partner, Hauenstein received the ia
vor CT escorting Gabriel to supper. The
table had been set in the ballroom and the
neighborlng apartments, as though by en-
chantment, after the last dance. Hauen-
stein sat by Gabrielle. She excused herself
moment, laid her large boquet upon her chair,
and said; GAS hostess, am bound to look
about and see that all is right" She went,
| and Hautenstein gaZed thoughffully at the
empty chair and the flowers. Gabrielle re-
turned end said:-
| i"You have that melancholy look again.
Canot you tell me what disturbs you %
| st is Inappropriate here. We are so mer-
| ry here that one can't believe there is any
thing sad in the world. And why shall we
let it in? Besides, need all my energy. I
must go on guard at the citadel a. in the
morning.
'.Is that so dificult?'
s'Not that.''
Then it is something else that troubles
you. Tell me, candidly; I can help you, per-
haps? do something to lessen your gloomy
mood If can help, then tell me; if NOT,
forget it now, and tell me another time"
"You cannot help. can tell you nothing
Yet you are right-away with all sadness.
Life is so bright! Let us drink to the wish
that we may always find life as beautiful as
now. They touched their glasses.
| The ball was over. As the cloaks were put
| on, one guest said to another that there had
seldom been so pleasant an evening; and this
appeared more couspcously in the tone of
sincerity with which all thanked the governor
and his daughter. When Hauenstein took
leave, nothing further was said between him
and Gabrielle. He only laid his hand, as he
turned away, upon May-fower fastened in
his uniform. She had taken it from her boz
quet and given it to him.
In the street some comrades called to him
"Hauenstein, come along. We are going
over to the casino. Nordeck has lost three
dozen of champaign on bet. Come onr'
Hauenstein excused himself; he was tired,
and had to go on guard in the morning.
Several of his comrades called after him
"We are coming to look you up, tomorrow
evening, for game of whist. Have bowl
| OF punch for us"
1t was a cold, wet autumn morning, when
Hauenstein marched up the hill with his com-
pany; for the citadel stood upon hill in the
midst of the town. The battlements and
easements concealed the size of the inclosed
plain, and the buildings erected on it, A
considerable number of prisoners were
confined here only a few because
of duels, for the year in which this
true story had its course was 1850; most of
them had been condemned for political often
SEES. Hauenstein relieved his comrade and his
company, and had the list of prisoners
brought to him. He looked long at name
that had been crossed off; but, throwing back
his head, he said to himself: s'The major was
right-we must not ask what the material is
whether we are guarding munitions of war
or human lives"
Hauenstein was tired; and, after he had
made the rounds, he lay down upon the
bench. He ordered the sergeant not to wake
him if he fell asleep-the sergeant himself
could see that everything was in ORDER But
he had hardly lain down when he was sud-
denly awakened again. The keeper of the
prison stood before him, and begged for as
sistance.
''What is the matter2 Has a prisoner es-
capped 2'
sob, no. But don't know what to do
further, and promised the prisoner to bring
you to him."
81 have nothing to do with him."
"That is what told him, but the man will
do himself some injury if we don't quiet him !;
and his fate is such sad onep'
"Who is t?'
'Number five."
Hauenstein looked at the list. It was a
former law cOpyist from neighboring
village. Hauenstein dressed quickly, and
went into the mans cell.
Lieutenant" cried man with gray
beard and harsh features, 81 shall go mao or
die if you do not help mep'
"What is it? What is the matterp'
Il have received letter; my wife is on her
death-bed. She calls increasingly for me with
her waning strength. Lieutenant, 1 swear to
you by the last that remains to be. by what I
hold most sacred, by my respect for myself
| and for the truth that 7 will ha haclr Inv IN