Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-03-05
NUMBER 8.

In obedience to that custom Baudelot
pressed bis lips upon the brow of Elean-
or. She almost tainted as he did so.
Motioning him to sit down by her side
she said ia low voice:
Listen! l havo been thinking you
must escape. Listen! the carriage is be-
ing harnessed TO carry you to Nantes.
Oh, listen! in two hours you will be shot.
Escape! Oh escape while you can. II
necessary 1 will 20 with you as far as
the first convent. No one can then say
you were actusted by fear. To love Is
always honorable"
She spoke iu low voice. She did not
once look up; she even tried to smile,
as if sae were talking the gay nonsense
proper to ball
Bahdelot hardly heard her words. bui
his heart beat with q happiness he had
never before known. How love her!
"How love her! cried his heart. But
his lips said; You will see it is imposs-
ible, Eleanor. Oh if | were free no
ether man should be your husband. 1
would brave everything TO call you wife.
no longer belong even TO myself. Fare
well, sweet angel. If you love me give
me back the little daisy l sent you from
my prison. Give II me, Eleanor. That
little bud which has been fastened in
your dress shall give me comfort in my
dying hour"
Eleanor turned as pale as death.
There was q solemn silence in the room.
The music stopped. Daylight streamed
into the apartment.
All OF q sudden there was heard with
out, noise of steel and horsemen. At
this sound, which came in the direction
of Nantes, the women present, by COM
mon impulse, threw themselves before
Count Baudelot. But it was Biudelot's
own soldiers come TO deliver their officer.
They poured into the house. they filed
the garden, they cried, "Baudelot! Bau-
delou"
They we're infinitely sstonished to find
their young chief, whom they expected
to find iast bound in prison, surrounded
by women in ball dresses. dressed him
self as they had never before seen him.
The first question the Count asked was:
Have you been TO the dovecotes'
Yes" said ore OF them ''and when
we found you were not there, we made
short work OF the dovecote it will shell
ter 70 more birds-chouaus or pigeons!"
IF it be So" said Bsudelot, drawing
his sword. II am released from my pa
role by rescue. Thank you. my COM
rades." Then he took off hi, hat.
Lady" be said in a sweet voice. "re-
ceive the humble thanks OF your late
captive"
After that he asked for a carriage.
There IS one at the door, Captain"
said one of his chouaus. 1T was 10 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 con-
fined him.
Captain Hamelin." ne said instantly.
Zone good turn deserves another; only
instead OF untying the ropes let me cut
them, that they may never be used again
to bind prisoner"
Then seeing that Eleanor, who had al
most tainted, WAS recovering, he contin-
ued:
Captain Hamelin, these times OF
blood and discord are little suited for
marriage A bridal, as we see, may be
postponed in the morning by prisoner
TO be captured, and at night by vista
,ion of the enemy. Put off until some
later day the accomplishment Of your
marriage. See! it is the wish of the
young lady. My noble demOselle, per-
nit me and my poor chOusns to recon-
duct you to the Chateau de Mailly."
All the chouans, with the carriage in
their midst and their leader At their head,
soon galloped of toward the rising sun.
They were charmed at their good luck in
delivering their officer.
Poor lsdsi Their lives were very short.
They all fell on the same battlefield
with the elder Cathelinesu. There were
two Cathelineaus-father and son. Both
died in the good cause.as became Royal
lists and Christians. To die thus seemed
the only happiness that in those days
could be offered them.
But there are men who cannot get
killed, and one OF these was Count VIC
tor 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 Cap
tain 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 gay and gallant Office
A FABLE.-A kind-hesrted she-ele.