Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-08

ried life were passed in happiness that a.
ways feared was too great to be enduring. It
was brought to bitter and miserable end.
Deadly enemies-for the best and noblest
have their -conspired against your faith.
er, and he was accused-falsely accused, mark
me-of treason to his king and country: l
will not tell you by what forgery and perjury
he was made to appear guilty-but he was
convicted-and sentenced"
Sentenced !"
"Ay, sentenced, and suffered. he died by
the hands of Monsieur de Paris
"Monsieur de Paris"
"The executioner !"
Henri uttered piercing cry, and covered
his face with his hands. He remained long
time in this attitude, his frame convulsed by
the agonies of grief, while his mother watched,
with streaming eyes, the effect of her commu.
nication. At length he removed bis hands,
and raised his head. His countenance was
deadly pale-the only indication of the train
ofemotions which had just convulsed him-but
his look was firm and high.
"Mother," said he, pressing her hand, IL
thank you. It was better to learn this dread
full secret from your lips than from the words
of another. Hencefortb We will live for each
other-we shall have common sorrow and
common fate. pray you to excuse me for
few moments. I will soon rejoin you, but /
have first duty to perform"
The young guardsman passed from bis
mothers presence to that of the Baron de
Clairville.
"Welcome, welcome! my brave boy" said
the old soldier. "You have fairly won your
spurs"
"sir, you fatter mi" !" replied Henri, gravely.
"Not at all. SAKE himself says that more
distinguished gallantry never fell beneath his
notice." -,.aF@e
"You think then, baron, I can claim post
of honor and danger in the next engagement
"You can lead the Forlorn Hope if you
like"
Enough, baron. I came to ask your for
giveness."
."My forgiveness r.
eyes, sir, for having wronged you unccn.
sciously 80 lately as last evening"
"Wronged me, and how, strange boy? You
talk in riddles"
"Last evening, sir, on the eve of battle,
which might we'll, considering what followed,
have been my last of life, / sought your
daughter. Her manner, some unguarded
words she dropped, emboldened me to declare
a secret which l had hitherto kept fast locked
in my breast. l threw myself at her feet, and
told her that loved her."
"And She"
Confessed that she loved me in return"
"Henri my boy-my sonny hero this
news makes me feel young again it gladdens
my old heart like the shout of victory upon
stricken field. Is this yeur offence? l freely
pardon il"
"You know not all, baron. You knew
that I was poor and obscure soldier of for.
tune"
"The man who has distinguished himself
as you have done this day, might claim the
hand of an emperor's daughter"
"Baron, between me and Heloise there lies
a black shadow memory horror, which
forbids our meeting. The very name l bear
does not belong to me-"
"And how may you be named, young man,
if not DeGrandville p
"Henri de Montmorenci," replied the young
soldier.
"De Montmorencip cried the baron.
"That is noble and historic name. The
house of Montmorenci has been we'll repre-
sented in the field"
"And ON the seafoM :" added Henri, with
deep emotion.
"The scafoldp exclaimed the baron.
eyes, yes I remember now dreadful trag-
edy. But he suffered unjustly."
"No NATTER" answered Henri. "The ig-
nominious punishment remains q stain upon
our escutcheon. Men will point to me as the
son of condemned and executed traitor.
Could I forget for moment the tragedy
which has rendered my poor mother an ami
mated image of death, the finger Of the world
would recall my wandering thoughts to the
horrors of the fact. The sca6old, with all its
bloody paraphernalia, would rise" before me.
"Henri, you are too sensitive" said the
baron. "The best and bravest Of France
(alas for our history y have closed their lives
upon the scafold. I believe your father in.
nocent. If it we're otherwise You have re.
deemed the honor of your race You deserve
my daughters hsnd-take her and be hap
py."
"Make her the companion Of my agony !
Never"
"Come with me-" said the baron; cher
smiles shall dispel these gloomy fantasies"
mo, no! urge me not" said the young
guardsman. "Let me return to my poor
mother. She has need of all my consolation.
renounce forever my ill.fated attachment
Heaven, for its own wise purposes, has chosen
to afflict me. Farewell, baron; l thank you
for your kindness-your generous friendship
You and Heloise will soon learn that Henri
de Montmorenci is no more. After the next
battle if you seek me out, yeu will find me
where the French dead lie thickest on the
field"
"Noble hearted fellow" cried the baron,
when Henri had left him. "He ought to be
field marshal"
"Marshal SAKE requests your immediate
presence, baron" said an aide-de.camp, pre-
senting himself with salute.
"Monsieur de Baron," said the command.
erin chief, when DeClairville had obeyed the
summons, II have chosen you to carry my
dispatches to the king; you will find your
self honorably mentioned therein, and think
the favor of royalty will reward your merit"
The baron bowed low as he received the
dispatches from the hand of the marshal, and
was soon ready for the journey, first taking
hasty farewell of his daughter, whom he com.
mended to the care of Madame de Grandville,
Cor rather Montmorenci,) during bis absence.
In five days thereafter, he reported himself
to the marshal, and was then at liberty to at
tend to his private concerns. He found He
loise in the company Of Henri and his mother,
and the gloom depicted on their countenances
presented singular contrast to the radiant