Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-03-05
aver advanced woman may be in poll

ever advanced a woman may be in poll
tics, she always remains aristocrst enough
to take an interest in brave. gay elegant
young officer, especially when she knows
beyond q doubt he is TO be shot the next
morning.
The ball bad already begun. The
bride was Mademoiselle De Mailly grand
neice of that sweet De Mally so teloved
by MADAME dc Maintenon. she was
very beautiful. but very quiet and sad.
She had no heart for the betrothal or its
gaities while scenes OF danger, ,desolation
and death occupied her mind. Her 81
lence and depression Injected her COM
panons. There never was so dismal
fesIvi'y ia Il I;:auy. Every thing vent
wrong. There was no animation in the
dance, no gayety among the dancers.
There was only q vague feeling among
all the guests that they wished they
were at home.
All OF . sudden the tall doors of the
great hall opened slowly. The eyes Of
the uneasy guests turned toward that
door. l, would hardly have astonished
them 70 see ghost, Instead OF which
there entered court no5leman, smiling,
handsome, beautifully dressed, an officer
and gentleman. He wore court dress,
/ bis air was Of the court, his manner those
OF pre-republican times. The bluest.of
the blues among the guests were / ter
ested and excited at beholding so uns1-
pec;eliy, in the midst OF the Republican
fes,ivity,a relic OF that high society
which 10 1887 perished in night; whose
representative (uudsr sentence OF deaIh)
came, faithful 10 the last 10 his vocation
OF true gentleman, 10 shine in and con-
tribute to the amusement OF others.
Tue entrance OF BAuielot, which il has
taken whole paragraph to relate, only
occupied a moment. As soon ss he was
in the ball room he thought of nothing
out the ball. Without formal introduc'
tion-lor introductions are not necessary
in France-he asked the fairest lady who
was present TO dance with him. 1t was
the bTide-that sweet, young, anxious
girl who had looked up at his window
from the procession. She accepted him
for her partner without hesitation. She
would gladly have given him any pleas
ure al her command, for she wei knew
that death stood a. hii side, and that hi,
bony liuger almost touched his shoulder.
When the men saw B1ude.ot leading
out his partner to the dance they grew
ashamed uf tuelr own want OF animation.
They too sought partners. The women
were all eager 10 dance on the same floor
with Baudelot, so that soon Ohanks to
the victim of their politics. the ball be-
gan TO grow extremely lively. Both
men and women were nervously wound
up. Baude'o, was not behind The rest in
careless gaJety. de " = the only 9ues!
among them all enjoying himself natu.
rally. HIS VAS the only smile that was
not forced his the one step that was not
constrained. The others danced under
the influence OF terrible excitement.
They were all greatly moved at sight Of
their young victim.
Baudelot was king Of the feast-far
more tbaa tae bridegroom. He was
more in everyoody's thoughts than even
the fsir bride. His bride next morning
WAS to be the scaffold.
The ball went on. The mirth and fun
grew isst and furious. Baudelot WAS
the iits OF oil. DE even charmed the
men who played .he music by teaching
them new airs. He took an instrument
spd played himself the last new sara
bande composed by Lu!ly.
As The gay dance went on Baudelot
forgot how iast the night was passing,
but the women knew it well. They
could not forget, too. They shuddsred
as they looked at him. They began 10
imagine how he would look as he lay
dead. For ancient honor was so strong
in France that the very appearance OF
Baudelot at this ball was guarantee
that he would take advantage OF no op'
portunity to escape that might be offered
him. His word was stronger than an
iron chain. Both Baudelot and Hsme-
lin appreciated each other. Hameiin
knew that be could give Baudelot this
indulgence without prejatice to the duty
that he owed to the committee OF public
safety B4udelvt knew that iIamelin
was pledged to keep his word.
So. reader. imagine. if you will. how
many tender glances and solL smiles
we're showered upon Baudelot. How
many gentle bosoms heaved sighs for
the handsome victim. He grew excited
by his situation. Never had he felt him
self so liable 10 fall in love before.
When for the third time he led out the
bride he felt her soft hand tremble in bis
own. His trembled too. He turned and
gazed upon her face. He found her
pale as marble.
What is it, Eleanor " he said, "wha'
is it, dearest ladyP Have pity on your