The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-12-27
FLORENCE DE ROHAN.


tIia on slOnpIng plain, hemmed III
wooded plantations, and dotted Wit
struggling cottages, Napoleon and h
great army halted after briiilaI
engagement.
1t was evening as the division de
/ It's If up above the base of a broad MI
and as twilight deepentd the battle hel
close by faded gradually from view, u
he lighted camp fires brought portion
| into view ten-fold more horrible by To
heavy i5neon mist that hung arouai
| the flames, -
AS the night wore on the men assemp
| led in bands drank 10 the health OF thei
comrades, told their best and idlest tales
until one weary regiment after anotnt
lay down exhausted.
fhe officers of The army took carel =
take possession OF the private dwe| aDgl
which wereasikuated on tie slope.
la the best@of these dwellings, sRatsr
91pe2 g cs;aiE, big. eyes liked s,sel,s<
entered WIS piliDe eat their com
mander.
n short time, and probably without
intention, he bent over the Outspread
map that lay on the table at his side
but, strangely enough, roll of parch-
ment rolled down. upon it, the sight OF
which displeased Napoleon. That parch-
men was the undispatched order for the
immediate execution of the Duke d
Enghien, ard lay here awaiting his
signature
He hesitated, and then arose an in
ward cor hict of conscience with the
darkest passions. A moment more, and
he smiled in mockery at his own i'm
agined weakness
This must not be" he exclaimed !;
time les and-why do | hesitate
Let this man be weighed against the
millions that have persisted, and what IS
his worth 2" In an instant more the
scrol was opened, but ere the pen could
touch the document, loud challenge of
the guards without arrested his atten-
ton.
Presently an aid-de-camp opened the
door and requested permission on behalf
of the visitant Tor an interview, which
Napoleon Immediately granted, and
directed the Immediate admission of the
applicant.
In few moments a lady, attired in
deep mourning, was ushered in. On
finding herself in the presence of Ma.
pOleon, the stranger was at first embar-
rassed, but quickly rec0vereu her com
pesure, and with an air OF quiet dignity
took an offered seat by the fire.
After a most embarrassing pause,
Napoleon abruptly broke the silence:
''To what madam, am l indebted for
the honor of this visit?
General BJnaparJe was the reply
" wish to speak to you in private TOR a
few moments.
We will retire" said Dupont, with
courtesy. As the last footsteps of the
officer became audible. the lady threw
aside her cloak and hood, which had
entirely concealed her features, and her
am azed companion saw before him the
lady with whom the Duke ID E,nghien
was known to have exchanged VOWS Of
affection, the consummatiOn OF which
had been suspended by the Dukes un'
timely arrest. His ultimate design be
saw had been anticipated. and he said
coldiy: N
Il know not whether to censy
admire the energy that Shas
dauA hter of q b0trlJvn-zcA az
camp at this unreasonable time, ar
not unaware of the motives by -
you may seek to justify this act.
Dismayed at these sarcastic toni
devoid of human feeling and sympathy,
she buried her face in her hands, and her
tears flowed abundantly; but quickly
recovering her dignity she replied:
g It is not necessary to tell General
Bonaparte that no trihing erIand would
tempt me to such q venturesOme act"
The speaker hesitated, and with diff
Guilty added. "I believe that my person
is known to you.'
" Undoubtedly" returned Napoleon,
4" you are the betrothed bride of the
Duke d D'Enghein."
If, then, you know of my engage
ment, you will at once acknowledge
strong cause for my interest in his wei
fare. There was a time when | would
have shrunk, as from death, from such
an avowal, but now l hes; tate not 10
owp my love tor him.
Al she spoke this to the one who held
in his hands the destiny her lover, she
looked in his face for one sign of mercy,
but those stern features were rigid as
ever.
The Duke D'Enghien," replied Ma
poleon, q" is my prisoner, under charge of
the heavy crime of treason. He has
incurred It's penalty by acting as a spy
Of the enemies of France"
lulS MAJ al NuNNb "a pun uA1 llSeEutl4
She exclaimed This charge is false
Could forget my position and my sex
Tor one $50 unworthy of his cOmntrys
resard But even ii he has erred ,5give
him the advantage of fair trial"
Napoleon replied in gentler tone
. The Duke ID Enghien ought indeed to
value an affection which can dare all
things. but can not allow it to inter
Iere with my duty to my country"
She grew paler as she whispered, in
SOFT and impressive tones, " / have come
here TO learn the truth, General Bona
parte, and it would be cruel in you to
conceal your intentions.
Nothing could turn him from his finn
purpose, for he said coldly, shall not
conceal anything. | viii allow that you
possess the fullest right TO learn every
thing connected with one so nearly ree
lated. His is 10 ordinary crime, Made
aad 1t becomes my painful
duty he PAUSED.
Proceed :" cried the excited girl,
nearly ceasipg 10 breathe in the inten-
sity OF her interest. Napoleon, without
himself to any utterance. dew
forth the death warrant and plsced 1t In
her hands
Three times she read the scroll before
the words produced a clear impression
on her minl She could not bring home
to herself tie possibility OF her lovers
immediat death She closed her eyes
snd leaned bsck YEARLY in the chair
and tried to collect some sustaining con-
sideration, but no, her lovers deatn
inevitable.
As Napoleon stood watching her IN
silence : he suddenly rai+ed herself from
her posture of grief. aud in voice so
low her lips scarcely moved with utters
ance, she whispered, General BOnaparte
you have doomed an innocent man to
die-to die without guilt"
YES" she added, with q look OF
touching anguish, you have destroyed
my last hope snd yet-oh what is THIS
strange impulse or prophecy-an inward
voice whispers to me that, as surely as
/ shall see perish from before my eyes all
that love on earth, for want OF fellow
beings mercy, so will it be with you
The speaker paused; her feelings tex-
cited as they were, could sustain her
physical frame no longer; and before
Napoleon could reply, she became Insen-
sible, When she recovered she arose,
walked to the door, descended the soil
tary stairway, and recrossed the TIRES
hold.
Napleon, alter her abrupt and sudden
departure. turned toward the yet IN
signed death-warrant. Three times ne
took up that fstal document, then hnaiIy
seizing his pen, and thrusting open Tue
a l. y a