The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-23
A Soldiers Love,


Pierre Lavelle, the betrothed of one o
the loyelist girls in the parish. I haG
looked forward to making them mar
and W fe some day. when the new.
reached us that Pierre had beer
drafted into the army for term of five
years.
'Ah. it was a sad day when hs
marched away, leaving his poor moth
or and beloved Marguer te sobbing in
each others arms. She saw him again
alter two years time, but it was only
for few days. She was proud Of
him in his uniform. He was true as
steel. and they renewed their VOWS Of
constancy in each others arms.
AFTER that news reached us often OF
Pierre. He had won his epaulettes-he
was now an officer. How proud we all
were. One day came the terrible news
He had been killed" The good pastor
paused to wipe a tear out of his eye.
lie had died with his face to the foe.
| had learned from a soldier who had
returned. Died with the iron cross on
his breast AS time passed I could not
help but notice that the pathetic grief
on Margucrite's face, instead of injur-
ing her beauty, only made it the more
striking. And SO thought one Jules
Dermont-a rich farmer and a good
friend of mine, but man twice Mar
guerite's age.
"A year went slowly by, and then
one day Marguerite came to me for ad-
vce. Her father was old and poor.
and growing each day more feeble,
and now he asked her for a sacaifice;
That she would insure the comfort of
his declining yeaas land her own well
fare when be should be gone, by &C
cepting and marrying the wealthy,re
pected farmer, Jules Dermot. I
thought long and earnestly, then 1
said:
My child. how do YOU yourself,
feel about itP'
IA resolute light filled her pretty
eyes.
Il have thought she said, sadly,
that it might be wrong for me to re-
fuse to obey my fathers wishes. I
have been taught by you that child's
first duty is to her parents, and my
father has not long to live. A girls
passionate love 1 can never give to
Jules Dermot and so l have told him;
but as his wife l can serve and obey
him faithfully and truly. and he says
he will be more than content to have
me even thus
"What could say but what I didP
Ito follow the impulses of her own
pure heart; they could not lead her
wrong. So they were married, and
the old father left his humble cottage
and lived the following year (Which
proved his lasD in his daught er's new
home. Then came little Marguerite
to Jules Dermont and his wife-a tiny
copy of her mother. Like a pure
white daisy she lay, just beginning her
young life, while. alas! the mother-be-
loved of all-was dying. There was
no hope.
IA tremulous sigh-a long look up
then beautiful mani
mate form was all that there was left
to us. Jules Dermot sorrowed faith
fully and keenly; then after time an
irresistible craving for change came to
him. He had money and he would
travel So he brought the little
to me and left her in my
care.
'One summer evening my pet and I
were in the garden when I saw q
mans figure coming up the road with
slow and weary steps. He paused at
The gate and looked at us.
''Come in, sir, and rest YOURSELF l
said; and lifting the latch he came
toward ME.
GAS my gaze fell on the tall, at
,enuated form and the wan. face,
which looked blanched and worn under
he moons clear beams, started and
/ cold thrill passed through me.
"Have you forgotten Pierre?" he
said.
"Then l knew him-that it was in
Iced p ere Lavelle! With trembling
hands drew him into the house.
Oh!' he exclaimed. sinking into a
chair, how good it IS to be at home! 1
doubted if my strength would keep me
Until l saw its blessed scenes again.
But God is kind-I am here at last. l |
anne first to my dear old friend, to
wear off this intense fatigue; but in a
title while l must 60 to my mother
nd my betrothed. How are they
re they well?' "
Il evaded the answer as l pressed
i'm to partake of bread and wine.
Suddenly the little one, whose very
xistence l had for the time forgotten,
dhlC iliO lHo IOUtu iuu 10 Il6rT6 3
Idle. look Nc up at him with her tender
lue eyes. He drew her to him-Pierre
'as ever fond of children.
"'What is your name?' he asked.
marguerite she answered; and
hen won TO confidence by his friendly
,anner she added: i live here, but
~ papa is away and my mamma is
ead'
"Pierre's gaze fell upon my face,
'hich was working convulsively in
pite of all my efforts at control, and a
ague fear seemed to spring into his
lind. Rising hurriedly, he put her
'om him.
81 must go, now-I feel stronger
0 said-though his looks belied his
'ords-"I must not stay longer from
he side of my loved owes
"'Oh. Pierre. stay-do not gor +
ried.
"His eyes dilated with an expression
terror.
Tell me truly he exclaimed,
low is it with my Marguerite?'