The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-28

tone OF reproach, accompanied Oy une
most gracious of smiles, to French
officer sitting by her side.
This young officer was the brave
Calviniac, an Auvergnese Highlander,
who, before his thirtieth year, had
won already upon the battlefield his
epaulettes as General of Cavalry.
They happened to be alone in vast
salon at one Of the old palaces in
Warsaw, the home of the Countess,
who had been left widow at twenty
two. A large fire burned in the
enormous fireplace Of rose marble,
upon the peiiment of which the arms
OF zelinska were finely sculptured.
The month of January, 1907, the
time of this story, was remarkable on
account of it's severity. 1t is well
known that Napoleon, after the battle
of jena and the overthrow of Prussia,
conceived the gigantic idea of Con-
tinsntal blockade and, instead OF
enjoying in peace his triumphs and
his glory, wished to impose by force
on ali Europe the effective
execution of his projects against
England. For that, he resolved
to pursue the remnant of the
Prussian troops to their last intrench-
ment, and to go to meet the Russian
army, which was still intact, and
under the command of General
Benningsen.
"You are still mute, General" con.
tinued the Countess. "HaVe l los
your confdence?
'sPardon me-" replied Calviniac.
"you must excuse me for being dreamy
and preocoupied. You know the EN-
peror has withdrawn from me the
command Of my brigade for month,
because 7 expressed too frankly my
opinion Of his indifference to the sad
condition of your unhappy country.
The Emperor has punished me severe
ly-and here I am, far from my brave
soldiers. I Was quite happy in my
disgrace, since it gave me the pleasure
of being received by you, in the midst
Of the most glorious representatives OF
Polish nobility, as an ally, as a friend.
You, the energetic and enthusiastic
patriot, have kept up my spirits, have
permitted me the pleasure of seeing
you, of conhding in you my cares and
dreams, of admiring you, Of lov-"
"Ah! General"
"Yes, T am going to say of loving
you. But am worthy of expressing
such sentiment, when I ought to
make a strange confession? You see
me sad and preoccupied, because there
is in me q violent combat. I am
happy, intensely happy; yet at the
same time, in spite of the charm which:
chains me by your side, would like
to be elsewhere. The inaction to
which I am condemned crushes me. Z
curse the severity of my sovereign. y
would like this instant to mount a
horse, cross Warsaw, and rejoin the
armY-which means to leave you' to,
fpe from your beautiful eyes, in order
TO see, face-to-face, the horrible mus
taches of the Cossacks of Bennlng-
SEN"
"You are always frank, General
However, admit this unforeseen dec
laration has surprised me little.
Alter fifteen days of repose, you be.
come dull and disconsolate. You are
honesick for camps and battles. My:
salon seems to you less attractive than
your ts3t in the midst of the snow.
'.cFermit me- to explain. I heard yes
serday that the movement of concen'
tration goes on rapidly; that the
Russians are going to be forced to &C
oapt battle. My blood boils at the
news. They are going to fight, re-
feet. My brothers-in-arms are gong
into danger and honor. I wish to share
their lot However, when think OF
YOU, am cowarily. I restrain my
feelings. Thus you see me here near
YOU, as usual. But I feel that my
conduct merits reproach. If you es-
teem me-, You cauoot h.amo me for
this ,ndeciyicn which tortures me.