The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-01-19
was wounded the last day in desperate


sort'e, when in the distance above the
clamor of the yellow hordes, the French
trumpe.s were heard. sounding their de-
liverance Oh, the wild 10y of that hour .
He had seen the enemy fee, the tricolor
appear, and he fell without regret,
knowing that they had conquered. His
condition seemed so serious that they
sent him back to France with a cross of
honor. During the voyage he had nearly
recovered, and upon arrival his name had
been mentioned for promotion to the
grade of chef de battalion.
The two women said nothing. The
mother. with her knowledge of the
service, was calculating that he had
gained ten years in advance of his COM
rades. The daughter was exam lining the
young man, whom she found almost un-
recognizable. his pale and heightened
face giving him great air of distinc-
ton. Was it possible that she had de-
spised him, this brave soldier, who, hav
ing paid with his blood for every grade
conquered, had come back now with an
assured future' He also was looking at
her. Was this she, so serious and
thoughtful, whom he had known so
giddy and capricous? Another woman
had been developed, a hundred tim IS
more attractive in her sweet and suo-
dued sadness. She was charming be
fore, and now she was ravishing. Il
had thought of her thus. 1t was iLdeeI
she, as pretty as ever, and a hundred
times more so. Their eyes met, and in
those of the officer she read so much
alteration that she turned away with a
little feeling of embarrassment.
The evening came on. The two ladies
arose to go, and he. unwilling to leave
them conducted them to their door, The
next day he met them again at the music,
and so on, every day. He seated him
self near the daughter, and while the
mother read her papers they talked con-
tinuously, without. however, saying
anything.
The autumn advanced. The leaves,
dry and withered, strewed the ground,
and it was too cold to remain seated.
They promenaded in the pathways of the
deserted park, the Captain and the
daughter, side by side, walking with
lingering and loving step. December
passed thus, in an intimacy growing
daily more sweet. The Captain how
ever seemed at times troubled and nerv-
Gus. One day, In transport of passion,
he pressed her arm to his side. His eyes
glistened, and she thought he was upon
the point of saying: 81 adore you;" but
he kept silent, and became a little sad.
His agitation seemed to increase with
the approach of the new year. He went
frequently to Paris, and occupied him
self less with the two ladies. A great
unea,iness seemed to possess him. Could
they have been deceived! What mys-
terry was he preparingl
The 31st of December. at o'clock, he
had not yet appeared. The widow was
reading the evening paper, which con-
tanned the promotions in the army.
Suddenly she cried:
'He has been promoted. He has his
appointment.
At the same moment hurried steps
were heard; the door opened quickly,
and he who had been so impatiently ex-
pected entered. He came in smiling
and very much excited. He paused be-
fore the two ladies. The old mother
extended her arms
4 "Oh, my dear child. this is then what
was aGitatng you so much"
But he, turning toward the daughter,
said with loving pride: "Madem Iiselle,
have now an assurance in the future to
place at your feet. l love you. Will
you be my wife"
She palcd at the remembrance of the
first refusal, and thinking of all that the
brave fellow had done to merit his
happiness, she gave him her hand, and
with her head upon his shoulder, and
her lips pressed against the harsh
braided decorations so valiantly gained,
she cried for joy.-Saturday Erening
/ Herald.