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

The StpEg Tener.
THE FRENCH GUARDSMAN.
With the army of Marshal SAFE, encamped
near Fontenoy, ready to give battle to the al.
lies, there were not a few ladies, who, impelled
by chivalric feeling, or personally interested
in the fate of some of the combatsnts, had
followed the troops to witness the triumph Of
the French arms. Their presence was al
once the Indictment and reward of valor, fol
what soldier would not fight with tenfold gal
lantry, when he knew that his exploits were
witnessed by the eyes of her he loved as wife,
mistress, or mother, and whose safety or hon
or, perhaps, depended on bis proves?
Among those most distinguished for their
beauty was the youthful Heloise, the lovely
daughter of the Baron de Clairville, French
general officer. The beauz yeur Of the demoi'
selle had enslaved more than one young off.
Ger, but of the host of suitors none could
boast with reason of encouragement, except
Henri de Grandville, and Raoul, Count de St.
Prix, both commanding companies in the
French Guards. Both we're handsome and
accomplished young men, and both had their
spurs to win upon the field of battle. They
had been fast friends until the pursuit of the
same lady had created sort of estrangement
between them. Little was known of Henri
de Grandville previous to his reception of his
commission in the guards. He had been
brought up by his mother in the old provin.
cial chateau, and though his manners and
education were those of gentleman, still he
seemed but little acquainted with the world,
and above all ignorant of the lighter accom-
plishments of the courtier. Perhaps this very
simplicity of manner and frankness of charac'
ter, contrasting 80 strangely with the fashion
able afectations of the court, eDdeared him to
his comrades, and strongly prepossessed He.
loise de CIairville in bis favor. His rival
was of different stamp. Raoul de St. Prix
was dashing, brilliant officer, brave as steel,
but fond of dress, reckless, dissipated, and ex'
travagant Yet his faults were those of his
age, and belonged to the circumstances by
which he was surrounded. The Baron de
Clairville, while he left his daughter free to
make her selection, yet as plain, blunt SOL
dier, rather than courtier, secretly inclined
to favor the pretensions of Henri. Still, his
treatment of the two young guardsmen was
the same, for they gave equal promise of mil
itary gallantry. "
It was on the eve of the battle of Fontenoy
that Henri sought an interview with Heloise,
who occupied a gay pavilion near her faith
er's tent. He found her alone and weeping.
"Mademoiselle," said he, "you are unhap.
py. Will you permit friend to inquire the
cause of your sorrow? ?"
"Can you ask me- Monsieur de Grandville I!
Of the thousands of brave men who lie down
tonight in peaceful slumber, how many will
sleep their last sleep on earth How many eyes
that will witness to.morrow's sun arise, will be
closed forever before it goes down at evening
O, what dreadful business is this trade of
war! My poor father, be never cares for him.
self, he never asks his men to 60 where he is
unwilling to lead. fear for his safety in the
deadly conflict of tomorrow"
eff the devotion of one faithful follower
can save him, lady," answered Henri, "be as
|sared of his -safety. Il would pear- the
blood in my veins as freely as water to shield
the father of Heloise de Clairville."
"But tyoa-you-Henri-Monsieu de Gran
ville-you think nothing of your own life."
IF fall" answered the young soldier,
"my poor mother will weep bitterly for her
only son, though he perish on the field of
honor. But who else will shed a tear for the
poor guardsman2
"Henri| exclaimed the young girl re-
proachfully, and the soft eyes she raised to his
were filled with tears. ,.. 81. .......
"Is it possible?" cried the young soldier.
"Can my fate awaken even momentary in
terest in the heart of the loveliest, the gent
lest of her sex? All why did you render
life so dear to me at the moment must peril
it?"
believe me-" said Heloise, drying her tears,
"that would not hold you back when honor
beckons you. 1t is to such hands as yours
that the honor of the golden lilies is commit
ted. am the daughter of a soldier, and
though these tears confess my sex, honor
bravery when it is displayed in good cause.
I honor the soldier as much as detest the
duelist"
"Then listen to one whose sword was never
stained with his brothers blood. had
thought to 60 to the field with my secret con-
cealed in my own breast, but something i'm
pels me to speak out. I love you, Heloise-
I have dared to love-to adore you"
The fair girl blushed till her very temples
we're crimsoned over with eloquent blood.
The young soldier threw himself at her feet,
and taking the fair hand she abandoned to
him, covered it with kisses; nor did he rise till
he had received confirmation of his new born
hopes, and knew that, for good or i'll, the heart
of Heloise was irrevocably his. Finally he
was compelled to tear himself away, but he
carried to his tent feeling of delicious Joy
which steeled his mind against all thought of
the chances of tomorrow.
The moments passed away in delicious rev.
erie, but at length he was interrupted by St.
Prix.
The Count was in the worst of humors-his
brow was dark with passion, and he threw
himself into a seat and flung his plumed hat
on the table with an energy that betrayed the
violence of his emotions.
"What's the matter, Raoul ?" asked Henri.
"Has SAKE changed his plansi Do we fall
back instead of advancing 7" 49,
mo, thank God there will be plenty Of
throat cutting tomorrow, and the French
Guards have the post of honor" .....
"Thank Heaven !" exclaimed Henri, JOY.
fully. Mia ..
"You seem in excellent spirits tonight,
Captain Henri de Grandville"
II wish 1 could say as much of you, Cap
tain Raoul de St. Prix."
"Tell me the cause of your felicity"
"Enlighten me respecting your ill.humor."
"Willingly, on condition that you will ex.
plain your satisfaction"
"Apreed,"