The Portland daily press., 1877-07-21
his bony finger almost touched his shoulder.

When the men present saw Baudelot lead
ing out his partner to the dance they grew
ashamed of their own want of animation.
They too sought partners. The women
were all eager to dance on the same floor
with Baudelot, so that soon (thanks to the
victim of their politics) the ball began to
grow extremely lively. Both men and
women were hervously wound up. Baudelot
was not behind the rest in careless gayety.
He was the only guest among them all enjoy
ing himself naturally. His was the only
that was not constrained. The others
danced under the influence of terrible excite
ment They were all greatly moved at the
sight OF their young victim.
Baudelot was king Of the feast-far more
so than the bridegroom. He was more in
everybody's thoughts than even the fair
bride. His bride next morning was to be
the scaffold.
The ball went on. The mirth and fun
grew fast and furious. Baudelot was the
life OF all. He even charmed the men who
played the music by teaching them new airs.
lie TOOK an instrument and played himself
the last new sarabande composed by Lully.
As the gay dance went on Baudelot forgot
how fast the night was passing, but The
women knew it well. They could not forget,
too. They shuddered as they looked at him.
They began to imagine how he would look as
he Hay dead. For ancient honor was so
strong in France that the very appearance of
Baudelot at this ball was a 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 Bau-
delot and Hamelin appreciated each other.
Hamelin knew that he could give Baudelot
this indulgence without prejudice to the duty
hal nN nd 49, 1,An IL
ty. Baudelot knew that Hamelin was pledged
to keep bis word.
So, reader, imagine, if you will, how many
tender glances and soft smiles were showered
upon Baudelot How many gentle 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 for the third time he led out the bride
he felt her soft hand tremble in her own. His
trembled too. He turned and gazed upon
her face. He found her pale as marble.
"What is it, Eleanor?' he said, "what is
il, dearest ladyp Have pity on your partner.
Do not tremble So"
Turning towards the windows of the ball
room, 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:
''It is morning."
"Truev' exclaimed Baudelot, shut what
matter? Morning latter the happiest night
OF my lifel have seen you, known you,
loved you! am dying and may dare to saw /
love you; the dying never lie. Farewell,
sweet Eleanoy-farewell! Be happy and ac-
cept the blessing of 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 obe-
dience to that custom Baudelot pressed his
lips upon the brow of Eleanor. She almost
tainted as ne did so. Motioning him to sit
down by her side she said in low voice:
Listen! I have been thinking: YOU must
escape. Listenl the carriage is being har-
messed to take you to Nantes. Oh, listenl In
two hours you hwil be shot. ESCAPED Oh
escape while you can. If necessary will 90
with you as far as the first convent. No one
can then say you were actuated by fear; to
love is always honorable."s
She spoke in low voice. She did not once
look up: she even tried to smile, as if she
were talking the gay nonsense proper to
ball.
Baudelot hardly heard her words, but his
heart beat with happiness he had never be-
fore known. "How 1 love herl How I love
her!' cried his heart. But his lips said:
You will see it is impossible, Eleanor, Obi
husband. l would brave everything to call
you wife. But can never be your husband.
60 longer belong even to myself. Farewell,
sweet angel! If yau love me give me back
abe little daisy sent you from my prison.
Give it me, Eleanor. That little bud which
has been fastened In your dress shall give me
comfort in my dying hour.'
Eeadcr turned as pale as death. There was
a solemn silence in the room. The music
stopped. Daylight streamed into the apart
ment.
All of sudden there was heard without
noise of STEEL and horsemen. At this
sound, which came in the direction of
Nantes. the women present, by common
impulse, threw themselves before Count
Baudelot. But it was Baudelots own SOL
diers come to deliver their officer. They
poured into the house, they filled the garden,
they cried, ''Baudeloti Baudelotv'
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 as they had
never before seen him. The first question
the Count asked was:
"Have you been to the dovecote?''
"Yes," said one of them; sand when W.
work of the dovecote; it will shelter no more
birds-chouans or pigeonsp'
"lf it be so," said Baudelot, drawing his
sword, II am released from my parole BY
rescue. Thank you, my comrades" Then
he took off his hat.
"Lady," he said in a sweet voice, "receive
the humble thanks of your late captive.''
After that he asked for carriage.
There is one at the door, Captain, said
one of his chouans. SIT was to have taken
you to Nantes, we were told by the master of
the mansion"
Baudelot turned and saw Hamelin tied by
the same ropes that had before confined him.
Captain Hamelin." he said instantly,
Gone good turn deserves another; only in
stead Of untying the ropes let me cut them,
that they may never be used again to bind
prisoner" ba#
Then seeing that Eleanor, who had almost
tainted, was recovering, he continued:
captain Hamelin, these times of blood
and discord are little suitable for marriage.
A bridal, as we see, may be postponed in the
morning by prisoner to be captured, and at
night by visitation Of the enemy. Put off
until some later day the accomplishment 7of
your marriage. See! it is the wish of the
young lady. My noble demoiselle, permit
me and my poor chouans to reconduct you to
the Chateau de Mailly."
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 deliver
ing their officer.
Poor lads! Their lives were very short.
They all fell on the same battlefield with the
elder Cathelineau. There were two Cathe-
lneaus-father and son. Both died in the
good cause, as became Royalists and Chris
tians. To die thus seemed the only happi-
ness that in those days could be offered
them.
But there are men who cannot get killed,
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 good will and consent of
Captain Hamelin, who signed the marriage
contract as high municipal functionary.
So, reader, ends my story. hope you are
as well satisfied as am with the good luck
of a cav and gallant officer