The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-11

anu l own nothing more. 1t must be
rather funny, though, to write a will; to
be generous to some at the expense of
others; to picture to- yourself who will
smile and who will mourn when. that
document is opened after your death
Don't you think so, captains" a
II will send you something to eat"
said Hamelin. s It is the day of my be-
trothal, and we have better cheer than
usual. MY bride shall send your sup
per-"
Count Victor perceived on the ledge of
one of the high Sits which did duty as
windows in his dim apartment daisy
growing from seed dropped by pig
con. He leaped up and plucked it.
"Captain," he said, giving it to Hame-
lin, " it is the custom in our part Of the
country for every guest to make we'd
ding present to the bride. Be so good as
to present to your betrothed from me this
little flower. And now must no longer
keep you from her side. Thank you for
your humanity. Farewell! God bless
you. Send me some supper, for am
weary and hungry. Good night"
Food was soon brought to the Young
officer. The maid who came to wait on
him "a pretty Breton peasant girl with
white teeth, red lips, and great compass
sion in her eyes,) paid every attention to
the captive. She urged him to eat of the
best dishes and to drink of the choice
wines. The supper was luxurious. It
seemed as if old times had come back to
the dovecote, when poor Gagged bird was
fed from the crumbs of the masters table.
AS she was pouring out glass of cham
payne for him, the count asked her her
name.
"Marie," said the girl.
"The same name as my cousi n," said
the young man. And how old are you,
Marie?" IT.
"Seventeen," she replied.
"The same age" he said, "as my poor
cousin" And as he spoke he felt his
whole heart stirred at the remembrance
of that beautiful young girl, who had
fallen by the hand of the exedutioner.
He would not for the world have given
way to his emotion before the little maid,
whose own eyes shone with tears ready to
fall; SO, not being able to comm and his
voice, he held out his glass to her. +, I
The glass was full. Champagne was
sparkling in it to the brim, and on its
glittering foam fell a last ray of sun
shine. Reader, can = you realize that
champagne! foamed and spring a nd sum-
mer came and went during the Reign of
Terror. - tsaa h2E@ "E&fiE =" 'sz-
Perceiving his mistake, Count Victor
said to Marie:
"Have you no glass to pledge me in,
kind Marie? This lively sparkling wine
never approves of being drunk alone by
any man. 1t likes gayety and society.
1t is the bond of that . fraternity about
which, Marie, you have heard 50 much,
and concerning which those who use the
word the oftenest know so very little.
I pray you put your lips to my glass, or I
shall not care to drink another drop of it
before I die" 4,.3yf ~
So saying he put up his glass to Marie's
lips. She bent down toward it.. But
his last word "die'' moved her soft heart
so strongly that her tears began to fall
into the wine.
"Your good health" exclaimed Bau-
delot, emptying the glass which was wa
tered by her tears.
At that moment they heard music, a
horn, violin, and hautboy, playing gay
dancing tune.
"What's that?" said the young officer,
putting down his wine glass and passing
at once from strong emotion to a laugh.
"Ma fol. It must be BALI"
"Alas" said Marie. Yes, it is ball.
My mistress did not want to dance to-
night, but the captain and her father said
it must 60 on. She will be very unhappy
all the time"
ooh, Marie!n' said Count Victor, "if
you are as kind as 1 think you are, do
something for me! Run-dy! Tell your
mistress that Count Victor Baudelot de
Derval asks permission to pay his re-
spects to her, but run and find the cap
tain. Tell him that his prisoner will have
dreary vigil here tonight; that he will
not be able to sleep for the noise of music
and dancing; that the night will be long
and cold; that it would be charity to
keep poor young fellow from thinking
gloomy thoughts on his last night in this
world. Tell him he has my word of hon
or will make no effort to escape. Tell
all that, Marie, say anything else you may
think Of in my favor. Speak loud
enough to be heard by your young mis-
tress, and ! doubt not, my Marie, he will
lie good to me. Then, if he is willing to
invite me to his ball. send me his valet,
ask him to bring me g. clean shirt and
some hair7powder. I dare say the repub-
lie has left a little hair-powder some
where in the chateau: Ask him to bring
me one of his masters coats, and beg the
captain to lend me my own, Sword only
for ornament; I promise not to draw It
out of its scabbard. Run, Marie-run