Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-05-17

dropping over them gave them SOM
nolent aspect; yet, examining them more
intently, you would perceive that they
were eyes that nothing escaped
-watchful, penetrating, impenetrable
eyes, For the rest this countenance
bore the marks of anxiety aud i'll
health; there were heavy lines beneath
the eyes, the forehead was furrOwed
and TIT hair was Thin on its couical
summit. ithal both face and figure
had Gen TAI oigniJy and power as to
one accustomed To being unquestiOn-
ably obeyed. The man wore black
broadcloth coat, white waStcoat and
gray trousers. Diagoually across his
breast lay broad, blue sash. He was
leaning back in his chair smoking a
cigarette, and seemingly plunged in
meditation.
A knock came at the door. The
younger man rose. walked TO the door
and opened it, After a brief cOlloquy
he turned and said in French: 'Sire,
there is person here who desires an
audience. He says
"What name. Raoul?" interrupted the
other.
"SOlange, sire"
every good. He comes by appoint
ment. Let him enter. And you, my
dear Raou, will take your place behind
the thin partition during the interview.
| hope to be able to trust this man, but
it will be necessary TO take precaution.
The young man bowed, at the same
time throwing open the door to admit
the visitor, and himself passing out and
closing it behind him. The newcomer
on entering made military salut, and
then stood, cap in hand, with his eyes
fixed on the inScrutable visage before
him. He was near fifty years of age,
of vigorous physique, with thick. mus
cuar neck, black hair cropped short,
heavy black eyebrows and fierce mus
tache. He was plainly clad, but though
his dress was that of civilian he had
the bearing Of soldier.
Captain Maurice Solange," said the
gentleman with the cigarette, you and
=. became acquainted some years since at
the battle of Solferino. You were then
a private in the Twenty-third regiment
had lost my aidde-camp, and intrust-
ed you with dispatch TO General Ton
tame, on our left wing. On your way
to him you were wounded in the breast
with rifle ball. You delivered the dis
patch. however, and returned with his
answer. In handing it me you fell
from loss OF blood. | had you taken tC
my tent and placed in charge of my bes
surgeons. On your recovery You were
promoted to be corporal"
Captain Solange bowed low. "Yor
remember it, sire?"
: sob, very well. also remember thai
on several subsequent occasions | com
: mitted to you the execution of order:
involving danger and demanding pru
dence. faithfulneSs and courage. Fol
your successful performance of these
duties you were promoted to be sergeant
and finally captain. From year to veal
; have not lost sight Of you. My uncle
and myself have found no better serv
: ants than among those who have sprung
like you, from the ranks. | now desire
you to afford me reason for bestowlne
upon you the Cross of the Legion oil
Honor. Would you care to possess it?'
"My emperor, my one happiness is &c
serve you. NV one grief, that | cannot
serve you enough"
"Ah, pretty compliment. In return
| have compliment for you. In France
are thirty million Frenchmen. OF these
thirty million | have chosen one man
whom, for certain important duty,
can trust most implicitly. Who is that
man, Captain SOlange?"
The captain stood erect and expanded
his chest. 'Sire, that man is mySelfH
The Emperor twisted his mustache tC
conceal Il faint smile. The bluff soldier
in his artleSs vanity, had no notion OF
criticiSing the parvenu character OF an
empire which was compelled to intrust
some Of it's most vital secrets to its hum
bleSt subjects. But as the world now
knows France early in 1870 was 'danc-
ing on a Volcano" De MOrney, the as
tute statesman, to whom mission OF
confidence might have been intrnSted,
was dead; some say he was the hall
brother of Napoleon. Prince Bonaparte
had Just shot Victor Noir. The growing
prominence Of Gambetta, the lampOonS
of ROchefort, indicated the rise of Lib
eralism. Napoleon saw his danger; he
was i'll in body, but his brain was busy
with intrigueS. A plebiScite was in con
temptation to juggle Frenchmen and
foreign nations into the belief that the
empire was secure. He perceived that
war was inevitable and he was feeling
his way to an alliance with Austria. A
successful war might retrieve every
thing: but meanwhile the edifice that
he talked of 'crowning" was crumbling
He feared the mob of Paris, and thf
gamblers instincts in him led him on.
"You are, perhaps, aware" said the
emperor. that in few months France
may be drawn into great war-one oil
the most important in its issues OF oul
generaton?"
"With Prussia, sire? All! all! | have
prayed for it, And you permit me to-
"My brave Solange," interrupted the
other, shaking his head, with smile,
81 know that man like you likes moth
ing so well as to risk his life on the bat
tle-fed. But it is not this that | now
ask of you. When war breaks out you
will be on the other side OF the ocean,
three thousand miles away"
The soldiers enthusiastic look faded.
He shrugged his shoulders depre-
catingly.
"There are other paths to glory,
continued Napoleon kindly. ''Come
nearer You are soldier and you know
LII l. Of l.. rtof