The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-06-14


weeks Andrews name appeared in the list O
wounded; but he speedily recovered, and wa,
appointed to the Imperial Guard
Two more years passed. France became
cmbroiled in war with Russia Andrew wa,
ordered away his first letter was from Smo
lensko, informing Marie that he was adjutant
and that the cross Of the Iron Crown had been
awarded to him She tried to smile when she
read me the proud intelligence, but the trcmu
lous emotion OF her lips and the moisture OF
her eyes belied her happiness.
AT length in the winter of 1912. "A rumOl
reached our secluded village that the French
army had been defeated The fatal tidngs
IQuickly followed that Andrew had persisted at
the Bcresna. From that time hardly saw a
smile upon Marie's face
"In time. remnants of the shattered French
army passed through our village, and from
some Of the soldiers we gathered full partiCu-
lars of Andrews death. One old sergeant of
the Imperial Guard | overlook as he was limp
ing YEARLY up the hill leading to my little
Ichurch.
"'Do you belong to Piedmont, my bravcH |
inquired.
Yes and thanks to the lanccs of those
rascally Cossacks my name will soon be struck
from the mustcrrOll of the Old Guard
"'Dld you know Il young fellow named An.
drew Tomato, belonging to your reglmcnt| |
asked
"ITaltn he cried suddenly, as the tears
started to his eyes, and fell down his swarthy
cheeks. 'Bombshels and sabrcsr he gasped
out in Il hoarse, trcmulOus voice, but you have
made Il woman of me. Did know him: did
! know my brave captain? He fell at the Be
resina. We had crossed the bridge side by
side together, when bullet reached his heart
AS knclt over him for a moment, a beggarly
Russian m IN he lyh |
awoke | was in hospital. Poor Tomato! ,
He WAS the idol of the regiment, and the Pied
montesc. He used to boast that he carried two
talismans next his heart
"'Marie's love gifts" | thought.
81 took the brave fellow to my house, and
brought Marie to see HIM, that she might hear
the tidings of her lovers death from the man
who saw him fall.
For long days and nights after that Marie
would steal away to the brow of the hill at the
entrance to the village, and gaze over the long,
winding road, hoping against hope, that An
drew might return
"Thrcc years passed slowly by, Whatever
little girlish vanity Marie had once possessed,
had passed, and the grave houghttulness lent
passive sadness to her beauty. One EVENING"
| met her wandering through the little church.
yard yondcr. She was coming, as it subSc-
quently appeared, to solicit my advice.
"'My dear child | sand has some new grief
befallcn you?'
Lifting her pale face, she gasped, in achok,I
ing whisper;
"'Thcy wish me to marry.
"'Who wishes you to do sO|
"'My parents she replied; they are aged
and Inlirm. Their daily cares will be tighten
ed, their poverty removed by Giuseppe Bern
hard the farmer, who has made a proposal for
my hand
"Guiscppc Bernhard pleaded, is IL pros
porous, thriving man You would secure by
this marriage IA happy home and worthy
husband
"Shc looked at me with a questioning, earn
est glance, and then sank into a long, thought.
full silence. At last she murmurcd:
at is ii bitter sacrifice that am required
10 make
"A sacrifice, Marie, that will smooth your
parents declining years, and give you perfect
triumph over self | urged. 4 leave your de
cision with your own calm judgment. Pray,
my dear child for the Almlghty's aid to guide
you
81 will, father she said meckly. Come toI
our cottage to morrow evening; Giuseppe will
be there for his answer
"Ihc following evening according to my
appointment | repaired at sunset to Maries
humble abode Giuseppe was already there
when | entered the cottage.
"Wcll, Marie said |, what has been your
rcsolvc?'
"Guiscppc Bernhard she began, with her
eyes fixed alternately upon the anxious faces
of her father and mother, i cannot love YOU as
have loved Andrew. | can never Danish his
image from my heart. The only hope his
death left me was that should end my days
alone with his memory for Il solace. But a
higher duty has been pointed out to me, and |
will not shrink from it; if, then, you are con
tent to accept as much love as have strength
to bestow, take my hand. Through good and
evil promise you to be faithful and DEVOTED
wife
81 ask no more, Marie said Giuseppe ten
derby.
This ring and chain she said, pointing
to Andrews parting gifts, i should like to
wear them still
"'Do not misunderstood me, dear Marie, > i
said Giuseppe, with manly tenderness; / new
CT was jealous OF the memory of Andrew, who
was my friend, ay, brother in my heart
son the bridal morning her aged parents
were removed to Guiseppes comfortable home
At the end of the year son blessed their I'M
ion, whom they chriStened Andrew.
son the fourth anniversary of their wedding
a few friCnsd myself included, were invited to
pass social evening. L
Il fingered in the midst of their happy CIR
Gle till the shadows Of evening had dccpencd q,
into night, and then reluctantly took my leave
My hand was on the latch of my garden gate
when II strangely familiar voice said
Good evening sir
81 turned abruptly, and under the clear full
light Of the moon, my gaze fell on the tall
attcnuated figure of II man, whose CHASTITY, /,
bearded face and glaring eyes sent a thrill of
tear through my veins.
"Forgotten by you, too| he taltercd out in
Il whisper.
Andrew Tomato ! exclaimed. rs grasp
ed ms ann to assure myself that he was really;
living
81 was called SO once, | believe he said.
with bitter sigh; but now | think that it l.
must have been dream
81 dragged, rather than led, Inn into the
house, with whirl Of conflicting thoughts bat
Ting in my mind.
"'Whcn did you arrive, Andrew: inquir-