Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1893-09-15
A VOLUNTEER.


Alvis Zelinska in a soft tone of re
proach, accompanied by the mos
gracious of smiles, toa French Off
cer sitting by her side.
This young officer was the bray,
Calviniac, an Auvergnese highland
or, who, before his thirtieth year
had won already upon the battle
field his epaulets as general,of cav
airy.
They happened to be alone in a
vast salon at one Of the old palaces
in Warsaw, the home of the countess,
who had been left a widow at o.
A large fire burned in the enormous
fireplace of rose marble, upon the
pediment of which the arms of Ze-
linska were finely sculptured.
The month of january, 1907, the
time of this story, was remarkable
on account of its severity. 1t is
well known that Napoleon, after the
battle of Jena and the overthrow of
Prussia, conceived the gigantic idea
of a continental blockade, and in
stead of enjoying in peace his tri-
umphs and his glory wished to i'm
pose by force ON all Europe the ef-
fective execution of his projects
against England. For that he resolved
to pursue the remnant of the Prus-
sian troops to their last intrenchment
and to go to meet the Russian army,
which was still intact and under
the command of General Benning-
sen.
you are still mute, general, con-
tinued the countess. Have I lost
your confidence2"
Pardon me-" replied Calviniac.
You must excuse me for being
dreamy and preoccupied. You know
the emperor has withdrawn from
me the command of my brigade for
a month because I expressed too
frankly my opinion of his indiffer-
ence to the sad condition of your un-
happy country. The emperor has
punished me severely, and here l
am far from my brave soldiers. /
was quite happy in my disgrace,
since it gave me the pleasure of be-
ing received by you, in the midst of
the most glorious representatives of
Polish nobility, as an ally, as a
friend You, the energetic and en-
thusiastic patriot, have kept up my
spirits, have permitted me the pleas
ure of seeing you, of confding in
you my cares and dreams, of admir-
ing you, of low
"Ah, general"
'Yes, 1 was going to say of loving
you. But am worthy of express
ing such a sentiment when / ought
to make a strange confession2 You
see me sad and preoccupied because
there is in me a violent combat. /
am happy, intensely happy, yet at
the same time, in spite of the charm
which chains me to your side, I
would like to be elsewhere. The in
action to which l am condemned
crushes me- 1 curse the severity of
my sovereign. Iwould like this in
slant to mount horse, cross War
saw and rejoin the army, which
means to leave you, to flee from
your beautiful eyes, in order to see,
face to face, the horrible mustaches
of the .Cossacks of Benningsen."
''You are always frank, general.
However, l admit this unforeseen
declaration has surprised me little.
After Is days of repose you become
dull and diseonsolate. You are home
sick for camps and battles. My sa-
Ion seems to you less attractive than
your tent in the midst of the snow.
Permit me to explain. / heard
yesterday that the work of concen-
tration goes on rapidly; that the
Russians are going to be forced to
accept battle. My blood boils at the
news. They are going to fight, /
reflect. Ny brothers in arms are
going into danger and honor. /
wish to share their lot However,
when think of you am cowardly.
1 restrain my feelings. Thus you
see me here near you, as usual. But
/ feel that my conduct merits re-
proach. If you esteem me, you can
not blame me for this indecision
which tortures me. You cannot ad-
wise me to remain inactive, in the
midst of luxury--and comfort, in a
rich palace, when the dragons
whom / commanded yesterday, camp
ing now in the snow, now marching
in the mud on crossing the Vistula
by the bridge of boats, are going
once more to brave the dangers Of
war for the glory of France and per
haps for the liberty of Poland"
The countess remained standing be
fore the general, listening eagerly to
his words and expressing by her
passionate looks the admiration
which this martial ardor inspired in
her.
II love you thus, said she; mo
matter now much may miss you,
feel, alasl that you ought TO go.
thank YOU for having given me a