Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-07-04

~" oiiS' AIS lOVh all INSTRUMENT anu
played himself the last new sarabhnde
composed by Lully.
AS the gay dance went on Baudelot for
got how fast the night was passing, but
the women knew it well. They could mol
forget, too. They shuddered as thay
looked at him. They began to imagine
how he would soon hook as he lay dead.
For ancient honor was so strong in
France that the very appearance of Baude-
lot ut this ball was guarantee that he
would take advantage of no opportunity to
escape that might be offered him. His
word was stronger than an iron chain
Both Baudelot and Hameln appreciated
each other. Hamelin knew that he could
give Baudeot this indulgence without
prejudice to the duty he owed to the Com
mittee on public safety. Baudelot knew
that Hamelin was pledged to keep his
word
Lo, reader, imagine, if you will, how
many tender glances and soft smiles were
showered upon Baudeot. How many gen
Tie bosoms heaved signs for the handsome
victim. He grew excited by his situation.
Never had he felt himself so liable to fall
in love before. When Tor the third time
he led out the bride, he felt her soft hand
tremble in his own. His tIembled, too.
lie turned and gazed upon her face. He
found her pale us marble.
What is it, Eeanor?" he said.
What is it dearest lady? Have pity on
your partner. Do not tremble so.'
Turning towards the windows of the
ballroom, where the curtains hung half
parted by the current of air made by the
dancers. she pointed toward the first gray
streak of dawn in the horizon, and said:
1t is morning"
True!" exclaimed Baudelot, but
what matterP Morning. after the hap
piest night of my life! | have seen you,
known you, loved you! am dying and
may dare to say l love you; the dying
never lie. Farewell sweet Eeanor-ftre-
well, and accept the blessing OF IA chouan." "
1t was the custom in Brittany for gen
tleman at the end of the last country
dance to kiss his partner on the forehead.
In obedance TO that custom Baudelot
pressed his lips to the brow of Eleanor.
She almost tainted as he did so. Motion
I ing him to sit down by her side she said
/ in Il low voice:
Listen! l have been thinking; you
must escape. Listen! the carriage is be-
ing harnessed to take you to Nantes. Oh,
listen! in two hours you will be shot. Es-
cape! Oh! escape while you can. If
necessary, will go with you as far rs the
first convent. No one can then say you
were actuated by fear; to love is always
honorable"
She spoke in low voice. She did not
once look up; she even tried to smile, us
if she were talking the gay nonsense
proper to u ball.
Baudelot hardly heard her words, but
his heart beat with II happiness he had
never before known. How | love her
How love her!" cried his heart. But his
lips said "You will see it is impossible,
Eleanor. Oh! if were free, no other
man should be your husband. | would
brave everything to call you wife. But |
can never be your husband. no longer
belong even to myself Farewell, sweet
angel! If you love me give ME back the
little daisy | sent you from my prison,
Give it me. Eleanor. That little bud
which has been fastened in your dress
SNAIL SIfG lIl6 OOlululI III NY cyIlS hOul'
Eleanor turned rs pale as death. There
was solemn silence in the room. The
music stopped. Daylight stroamed into
the apartment.
All of II sudden there was heard with
out Il noise of steel and horsemen. AT
this sound, which came in the direction OF
Nantes, the women present, by a common
impulse, threw themselves before Count
Baudelot. But it was Baudelot's own sol
diers come to deliver their officer. They
poured into the house, they filled the gar
den, they cried, " Baudelot Baudelotm
They were infinitely astonished TO find
their young chief, whom they expected to
find fast-bound in prison, surrounded by
women in ball dresses, dressed himself us
they had never before seen him. The first
question the Count asked was:
Have you been to the dovecote?H
Yes" said one of them; and when
we found you were not there we made
short work of the dovecOte; it will shelter
no more birds-cohuans or pigeonsm
" If it be So" said Bandelot drawing
his sword, " | am released from my parole
by rescue, Thank you my comrade." "
| Hell uC bUOh VII HIS HdGs
Lady" he said in his sweet voice,
" receive the humble thanks of your late
captive"
After that he asked for carriage.
There is one ut the door, Captain,
said one of his chouans. " 1t was to have
taken you to Nantes, we were told by the
master of the mansion"
Baudelot turned ahd saw Ilamelin tied
by the same ropes that had before confined
him.
Captain Hamelin," he said instantly.
" One good turn deserves another; only
instead of undoing the ropes let me cut
them, that they may never be used again
to bind prisoner"
Then seeing that Eleanor, who had
almost tainted, was recovering, he con-
tinued:
Captain Hamelin, these times of blood
and discord are little suitable for mar
riage. A bridal, rs we see, may be post
pOned in the morning by Il prisoner to be
captured, and Mt night by visitation OF
the enemy. Put off until some later day
the accomplishment of your marriage.
See! it is the wish of the young lady. My
| nOul6 N6IuolScllGs peIlulI IllC anu my pun
chouans to reconduct you to the Chateau
de Maily."
All the chouans, with the carriage in
their midst and their leader at their head,
soon galloped off toward the rising sun.
They were charmed at their good luck in
delivering their officer.
Poor lads! Their lives were very short
They all fell on the same battle field with
the elder Catheineau. There were two
Cathelineaus-father and son. Both died
in the good cause, as became Royalists
and Christians. To die thus seemed the
only happiness that in those days could be
offered them.
But there are men who cannot get kill
ed, and one of these was Count Victor
Baudelot. He was in every battle of the
war, and did not leave La Vendee even
when all was over. When that time came
he married Eleanor de Mailly, with the
will and consent of Captain Hamelin, who
signed the marriage contract as Il high
municipal functionary.
So, reader, ends my story. | hope you
are as well satisfied rs | am with the'good
luck of II gay and gallant officer.
On Danube's stormy banks stand
| And cast a wstful eye
T'ward Turkey far, unhappy land,
Where correspondents lie.