Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-06-16

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"Zittau, worshipful herr" was
the answer.
"Can we get horses at Zlttau ?"
"Yes, mein herr. The road is
open as far rs Brunn. The French
outposts are Just outside the town"
"On then to Zittau."
And away rolled the carriage
again, with the two cuirassiers rid
ing beside it.
Inside of half an hour they saw
lights ahead and the stars began to
shine through the fog, while the
air became colder. A frost was set
ting in and the ground was whiten-
ing fast.
The carriage ratified up to the
post-house at Zittau and the post
master came out in great surprise.
81 didn't expect you back so
sOon," he said TO the postillion.
What has happened ?"
| Gabriel interrupted him.
"Never mind talking to the pos
| tillion. l am Major Lenoir of the
Cuirassiers of the Imperial Guard.
| want horses for the next station
TO Brunn at once. How far is ii to
Brunn ?"
"Forty-five miles, major" said
the postmaster, respectfully. "You
will get there at daylight, for il is
now twelve and the stages are slow
at night"
every good. Put to the horses.
Is there priests house near here?"
The postmaster looked amazed.
"a priest? Yes surely, major,
we are not heathens at Zittau. That
is his house. YOnder by the
church"
He pointed across the road.
Take care of everything, Casse
Tete," said Gabriel, curtly. II am
going over to the house yonder."
Very good, my officer"
C,lsse Tete drew long pistol and
sat like grim statue of vigilance
on his horse, while Gabriel rode
over to the priests house, Knocked
at the door with the hilt Of his
sword and was presently greeted by
an honest-looking old man with a
plain sensible face and the black
cassock of priest"
Father" said Gabriel, abruptly,
81 have but little time to lose, so /
must give quick questions and ask
quick answers. You are the parish
priest.
Yes, my SON."
81 am Major LeniOr OF the French
army. viii you marry me at once
to lady who is in the carriage yOn-
der?"
The priest smiled slightly
"My son, this is a strange request
at this time. Is the lady Of age?
Do her parents approve"
"She has no parents She is alone
in the world. / am her only pro-
tector. If you refuse, the reputa-
tiOn of the lady will suffer for we
shall go on as we have gone. DO
you consent ?''
The priest made gesture of ex-
cuse.
"My son, ] have refused nothing
yet nor have | consented. am
responsible to my bishop for the
marriages in my parish and under or
dInary circumstances Ishouldsa no.
But we are in "a state of war. III j
can show TO my superior that ! was
compelled by military force TO per-
form such ceremony, he would
excuse me-"
"And would the marriage be val
id ?" asked Gabriel eagerly.
"a marriage, once sealed by the
church is indissoluable, answered
| the priest solemny. His Holiness
would eXcommunicate any one who
interfered with it,"
"Suppose that person were the
emperor of the French ~ said Ga
briel.
The priest smiled rather proudly.
"All Europe may tremble before
him but the church stands up on
the rock of Peter and defies him."
Then you will marry me TO this
lady"
~ did not say that my son. ]
said might do it under the press
ure of force"
Gabriel laid his hand on his
sword.
"Then, father, warn you that II
you don't do il I'll cut off your
head. ;"
"Then, roy son, | will do il for
you You need two Witnesses
Gabriel smiled.
"You shall have my orderly and
the postmaster"
lie went back to the carriage and
in a few words explained TO lnez
that all was ready.
She trembled violently but made
no objection and he helped her out
of the carriage. As he did 80, he
noticed that she still wore her nuns
dress and he said TO Babette:
GLOW is this? Can we not pro-
cure something more suitable for
wedding"
Babette took him aside and whi5-
pered:
"Monsieur, take her while you
can get her no matter what her
clothes may be. She is young and
timid yet and wants TO see her mas
ter II you show you are afraid, she
will run away from you yet. Don't
you know that women like TO be
forced to do things they are long
ing for? Take my advice, mon
sieur and make no objections TO the
dress, if you want madmoiselle."
"But the priest may object"
"Ah, that is different, monsieur.
Well then mademOiselle must take
off the hood and vail and ] will do
the same"
She went to her mistress and
whispered confidentially with her.
The result was that "A few minutes
later two ladies in black dresses
with India shawls round their
shoulders, but with bare heads,
stood in the priests little parlor,
while two tall cuirassier5 and the
puzzled postmaster stood behind
them and the priest in his cassock
began the service.
Gabriel Lenoir could hardly be-
lieye that it was all anything more
than dream as the father finally
pronounced the words.
al pronounced you man and wife.
Those whom God hath Joined let no
man put asunder."
Inez was his wife, but under what
strange circumstances lie felt
awkward and hardly knew what 10
do so he offered his arm TO his wife
and led her from the room without n
word.
When he got outside he said TO
Casse Tete:
"Go back and give this TO the
priest and ask him for the certih-
cate"
1t was a purse of gold for he had
not been robbed Of his money at the
time Of his capture.
They went back to the carriage,
and Gabriel, as he handed in his