The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-26
STRONGER THANH LOVE.

One autumn evening in the year 1872
a gay parly Of Dung people had assem-
bed ~ the library OF M. Delapierre's
Al.r,i. u Chateau. The house, charming
/, ,i,L ed on the slope of wooded hill,
once belonged to noble family, the last
scion of which persisted in the Revolution.
The building had consequently been lett
to decay, till NJ. Delapierree, a wealthy
financier, purchased the estate and re-
stored the mansion.
Most of the rooms are newly decorated
and furn shed in the questionable taste
of the Empire; but either the new pro-
prietor or the architect ne had employed
preferred leaving the library intact, as 1t
had been found in good preservation
The ceiling, therefore, still displayed,
amidst. its elaborate embellishments, the
heraldic devices of the previous possess
ors. Massive bookcases OF richly carved
oak alterated with pedestals supporting
busts of renowned + renchman; and, In
the spaces above, paintings in iresco i'll
ustrated some passages in the life. OF the
celebrity whose marble ettgy graced the
corresponding pedestal. Two innova-
tions had been made, however, French
windows now opened on to the broad ter
race, and in the place of honor at the
head of the room stood the head oil Ma
poleon, the fresco above representa- G
Victory descending with Laurel
wreath.
The young people were sailing on the
river, the silver windings Of which were
visible in the depths of the valley. Now
they were scattered in groups about the
room, as inclination drew them together
I At one of the windows stood several,
amusing themselves weaving garlands OF
flowers which they had brought in from
the garden.
"Are you weaving a wreath, julie
asked Eugene Delapierre as he joined
them. "Wto is the happy person for
whose brow it is destined?"
al weave a wreath, it shall be for
the greatest and best" answered the fair,
bright eyed Alsatian girl, looking up
from her employment, smile upon her
lips.
.And whom among these do yor deem
! the greatest and best2" said Eugene,
giancing around at the busts that decor
ated the room.
Julie paused moment, her wreath IN
her hand. Then she advanced toward
Rousard and placed the flowers on the
sculptured brow. "Honor to him who
IN his song honored woman" she said.
"Bravow cries tose assembled in chorus.
"And you Elise, what do sou say?"
"Honor to the best" replied Elise in a
lower tone. "My wreath is not OF roses
but of Marguerites, and it must rest upon
the pure and holy"
Stepping forward, with low rever-
ercnce, she placed it upon the head of
Fenelon.
"Now, Luciene. it is your turn ex-
claimed Julie.
"Can YOU ask me my choice?, replied
the lovely daughter of the house, but
my wreath must not be OF fading flowers
| but of the immortal bay"
so saying, she hastily plucked few
sprigs from the bay tree that grew on
the terrace outside, and twining them to-
cether, crowned the Emperors bust with
the shining leaves. Her breast heaved,
her ewes flashed, rs the cry passed round.
"Vive Napoleon! Vive pEmpereurV
Only one remained silent As Luclenne
observed his grave and troubled counten-
ance, she crossed the room TO where he
stood somewhat apart from the rest.
What say you Waldeman2' she asked
Have you no greeting tor our great he
! ROT"
"You forgot, Lucienne,' he returned
ITO me he..can snly appear in the light
of the oppressor of my country"
"Ah, YOU do not love France!" she
cried, her cheeks flushing, her lips qulv-
| ering.
mot love France? When France
holds what is dearest To me in the world?'
replied the youth. But Napoleon is
not France. Trust me, Lucicnne, the
time will come when France will find
the idol she has set up is only false
God-s destroyer, not regeneration, as
| YOU would believe"
II will not hear you'll Lucienne ex-
claimed psssionately. IF you really
| love me- you would honor what honor,
and hate what hate! But / am not
first in your heart
Dearest, listen" said Wildemar Stem
thai, taking her hand in both his. Il
should not be worthy Of you, should not
dare to claim place in your warm heart,
! did not love my country and feel for
nv couAtrys disgrace. When the for
ester had stricken down the tswn that
now follows you So faithfully, did l not
watch YOU bandsging its wound with
those tender little hands? My iatherlsnd
lses bleeding, wounded b the mighty
hunter, and Shall not at any rate lament
over it, ii l cannot help to save?'
Lucienne stood for moment thought
full. "Waldemsr," she said at last, "you
would fight against France, then, if the
opportunity served? Fight against my
country, and lose mel?
Lose you, Lucienne? Wsldemar
questioned in sorrowful accents.
YES. 1t would have to be so, the
girl replied. al would never marry the
enemy of France"
! 4, this moment large black retriever,
tha, had stolen into the room through
the open windows came up TO Stienthai
licking his hand, testified his JOY at the
meeting.
:-See, here is Gros Noir," said Waldo,
mar, somewhat bitterly. Next to Eugene
he likes me He makes no question Of
French or German; he knows where be
loves and is content
Lucieune's dark eyes filed with tears
- a,au, closer 10 her betrothed. "DC
YOU think also shall not be contentf
She said. But you will let me love
FranceF
@God forbid l should wish otherwise
little enthusiast; what terrible tyran
You mus, take me for, said Steirthsl, ,
~, emilia lighting upon his handsome