The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-29
A VALOROUS VOLUNTEER.
The Deserved Reward of q Brave
French Soldier.

"fou are sober, general; you seem
preoccupied, sad and quiet when with
the. Can it be from lack of interest?'
Thus spake the pretty Countess Avis
Helinska, in a soft tone of reproach. ac-
companied by the most gracious of
smiles, to French officer sitting by her
side
This young officer was the brave Cal
siniac, an Auvergnese Highlander,
who, before his thirtieth year, had won
already upon the battlefield his epaul-
tttes as general of cavalry.
They happened to be alone in vast
salon at one of the old palaces in War
saw, the homo of the countess, who had
been lett a widow at twenty-five A
large fire burned in the enormous fire.
place Of rose marble, upon the pedimcnt
IF which the arms of Zelinsha were
timely sculpturcd.
The month of January, 1907, the time
Of this story, was remarkable on &C.
count of its severity. 1t is well known
that Napoleon, after the battle CT Jena
and the overthrow of Prussia. conceived
the gigantic idea Of Il continental
blockade, and, instead Of enicvinr il,
peace his triumphs ana his glory. wished
60 impose by force on al! Europe the cf-
fcctIvc execution Of his projects against
England Fer that purpose hc re.
solved 10 pursue tho remnant of the
PrusS.an troops to their last intrcnch-
ment. and to go II meet the Russian
army, which was still intact. and under
q lra ,.te.-N "a r a
"lou are still mute, general" con-
tinued the countess. Have lost your
contidcnce?'
Pardon me-" replied Calviniac.
lyon must excuse me for being dreamy
and preoceupied. You know the en-
peror has withdrawn from ne the COM
mand OF ny brigade for month. be-
cause expressed too frankly nv opin-
ion of his Indifference to the sad ccrdi-
ton Of your unhappy country. The
emperor has punished me severely
and here am far from my brave sol
ciers WAS quite happy in my dis
grace, since II gave me the pleasure of
being received by ycu. in the midst OF
ane most glorious representatives OF
.so4lsh nobility, as an ally, Us a friend.
You, the energetic and enthusiastic
patriot. have kept up my spirits. have
permitted me the pleasure OF seeinr
you. Of confiding in You my cares and
dreams Of admiring you, of Low"
"Ah. general"
Yes, l am going to say OF loving
you. But am | worthy OF expressing
such sentiment, when | ought to
mako a strange confession? You SEQ,
me sad and preoccupied, because there
Is in me violent combat. lam happv.
intensely happy: Yet, at the same time,
sn spite OF the charm which chains me-
by your side. would like to be else
where. The Inaction to which | am
condemned brushes me. curse the Sc
verify OF my sovereign. | would like
tins instant to mount 4 horse. cross
Warsaw. and rejoin the armv-which
means 10 leave you, TO flee from Your
beautiful eyes, in order to see, face to
face, the horrible mustaches Of the
CosSachs of Bennipgsen."
You are always frank, general.
However, admit this unforeseen decla-
ration has surprised me a little After
fifteen days OF repcse. you become dull
and disconsolate. You are homesicls for
camps and battles. Ny salon seems 70
you less attractive than your tent in
the midst of the snow"
Permit me to explain. heard yes
terday that the movement Of conceatra-
ton goes on rapidly: that the Russians
are going to be forced TO accept battle.
llY blood boils at the news. They are