The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-09-29
AURORA.

AU hOhA.
Captain Dupinr' called Murat, who, in
one of the most beautiful halls of the
Prince de la Paix's palace, at Madrid, was
occupied in drawing up some military
documents. AS no one answered Murat,
the prince, as they called him since his re-
cent ennoblement, raised his head, glanced
over the group of officers who, a few PAGES
off from him, were awaiting his commands;
and, not perceiYing among them him whom
he wanted, repeated with irritation:
"IPell, then, Captain Dupin is not there?"
Then, in the same way as an article passes
from land to hand when line is formed,
the name of the aide-de-camp went flying
from mouth to mouth, from room to room.
through the vast abode-all its doors being
| open, because of the temperature which is
so warm in Nay in Spain-was off on its
way TO find the absentee. Because Murat
did not trihe with the negligent. He again
applied himself to his writing in silence,
consenting, doubtless, to. wait few min
utes; but the contraction Of his eyebrows
into wrinkle on his forehead Indicated
his bad humor.
This happened in 1908, when Napoleon's
envoy, who had easily entered Madrid,
thanks to the disturbances in the kingdom,
was awaiting the progress of events with
the secret hope of being named king of the
conquered country, and hardly suspecting
that IN the hands of his master he was only
pawn left there. on one of the squares of
the European chess-board, to keep the
place for the emperor's brother Joseph.
Soon was seen running, thanks to the
obliging call of his comrades, the culprit, a
charming young man of about twenty eight
much beloved, an excellent soldier, but
who, however, for nearly week had APP
peared restless, troubled: in word quite
different from what he usually was.
Where were you, then, captaln?" said
the prince severely, on seeing him come.
agitated and slightly out of breath.
SIN the palace, MARSHALL
"That is not enough. You must be here.
near to me. Nevertheless, l have been
taking notice of you for some days. You
are entirely changed. Your animation is
gone, you have extraordinary distractions.
What, then, has happened?'
Nothing, marshal, assure you"
Indeed. You are no longer master of
YOURSELF"
Excuse ine. That is true. Ihaye some
anxieties, for family reasons.'
"And these family reasons live under
the palace roof, it appears, because people
have met you up yonder gliding furtiyely
along the corridors. do not like myster-
les, captain; do YOU undorstand?''
The poor officer blushed and turned pale
Then, alarmed at the increasing severity of
the chiefs tone, fearing some suspicion
mole serious than the truth, decided to
make a confession.
81 have my child, a boy of four years,
with me-" he stammered, lowering his
head.
The prince flew into passion.
"a child of that age! Why not haye a
nurse at once? A brat of boy in the
midst of war, when at any moment an in
sureelion may burst ont against the
French"
'If necessary, l will send him away
murmured the young man in sad voice.
''No, keep him since he is here. lie
could not be sent back through country
ready for revolt. Let him remain, but on
condition that never see him, understand
and, above all on condition that his pres
ence shall not be the cause of the slightest
breach of your duty. That would be very
pretty! Discipline wonld go on finely il
each one Of us dragged about his progeny
through a campaign"
Murat in state Of fury, turned his back
leaving the captain greatly excited becaus,
he, Maurice Dupin, had not told all. No
only was he hiding the child in the uppel
part of the house, but the mother, too
poor woman come from France after risk
ing thousand dangers, suffered thous
and deaths. during a journey in carriage
under burning sky in an enemy's coun
try; because she had wished at any COS
again to see and embrace her husband, anc
had been unable to resist the mad braineC
desire for this reunion. "Tblnk, now,
were to die far from theer' she had said
with the unceasing cry of Door creatur
on the eye of a crisis, real or imaginary, il
which she may be overwhelmed Tn
young husband did Tot feel himself stronl
enough to turn her away. He had settle,
her on the third floor of the palace, th
room was not missed, and she had sine
, lived in constant fright. due TO Murat.
A week rolled by after the explanation
The general spoke no more on any subject
lie continued, however, to give his order
in short, sharp style-a sign that his dis
satisfaction was not yet dispelled. Blu
one fine morning, under the influence O
an unknown good humor,he suddenly too
it into his head to ask his aide-de-camp;
''Well, how about the child? Cannot h
] moi 40 caan