Gilpin observer., 1900-07-19
EXTRAORDINARY ROMANCE
OF THE FIRST NAPOLEON

Even at his first few words the sound
of his voice and the peculiar accent car
ried me back to some long forgotten
time, calling up dimly before me a pic
ture l had not thought of for years and
| years. 1 had in my memory-where had
1 seen that cold. stern face, those clear
| cut marble features before? Then as he
threw up his head and frowned and threw
! out his under lip the scales seemed to
| fall from my eyes, the veil woven by
+, the busy years was rent asunder. and
! suddenly knew where and when this man
had played part in my former life"
| Co ming Nittle closer to the All Powerful
| Consul, who was kicking his foot i'm
patiently against the fender Cecile touched
| his arm and said. with a smile:
Monsieur lie Consul. will you permit me
! to tell you little story"
I, "Out with it," he Numbered. But waste
as few words as possible over it. If you
| please"
So she began in a low voice:
'It was evening in July, in the year
1873. l was visiting Mile Laure Permon,
whose family had a beautiful villa near
Brienne. l had wandered away by my
self into the fields, and was so absorbed
in plucking flowers that 1 never noticed
a herd of cattle grazing close by. 1 was
nearly seventeen, but a severe illness in
childhood had left me small and weakly
for my age. Suddenly 1 heard furious
below behind me. and turning round, saw
to my horror that an enormous black bull,
irrttated by my red parasol, was bearing
down upon me with blazing eyes and low
cred horns. l gave one shrek of terror,
dropped my flowers and fled fast my
feet would carry me toward the high road
But the bull rushed after me; l could
hear his snorting breath. Help! Help"
l screamed loud as | could. The next
moment pale faced boy in the uniform of
the Brienne cadets came running toward
me. He waved his sword and rushed at
the bull from the side, trying to divert
its attention to himself. But | entirely
frustrated the boyt sians by flying to him
for protection He called out something
to me, but I was too frightened to under
stand and any case it was now too
late.
The bull reached me. feled me to the
ground. and | lost consciousness. When
opened my eyes my preserver was support
ing me with his arm. while with the other
hand he wiped away the blood that was
tricklins from wound in his cheek The
bull was staggering blindly about the field.
the courageous boy having managed at
the last moment to pierce the brute's eye
with his sword
Il faltered out some words os thanks
but he checked me with an authoritative
gesture. and said sternly. Tis very silly
of girls TO run about alone in fields where
there are cattle. Remember that next
time Then noddng curtly he ran off in
the direction of the college. Maybe You
knew that boy, Monsieur lie Consul" con-
~'ssss~-, syvCuc.
For moment curious light flashed in
his dark eyes, but the next he frowned
and answered coldly. NO. l cannot say
, l remember"
Still the little lady would not be gain
said Controlling her emotion, she con-
ti@ued:
Monsieur lie Consul. may I venture os
one more recollection of my YOUTH"
He said nothing, but nodded his head
"A year later" Cecile continued II was
In the same neighborhood with the Mar
quise de Montesson. friend of my
mother. This lady proposed that I should
accompany her to the annual examination
of the cadets at Brienne 1t was the Gus
tom that the successful candidates should
be crowned by the ladies with wreaths
which they brought with them. My heart
beat high at the invitation, for / had
never forgotten my youthful preserver,
and I hoped l might now see him again
l. hoped this all the more because | had
now grown out of my childhood weakness
and had become tall and strong-a very
different creature from the delicate little
girl of the year before. So. with a beat
ing heart took the wreath prepared for
the occasion. secretly hoping that might
be able to give 1t to my youthful hero.
The wreath was a large and beautiful
one. composed of laurel leaves"
Here she was suddenly Interrupted by a
strange sound. half-sigh. half-exciamation
of joy. The next moment the consul had
sprung forward and clasped both her
hands in his.
so you are that sweet. kind girl. made
moiHelle." he said in trembling tones
'Uh, ask what you will of me, l promise
you I'm advance to grant It. no matter
what It may be VIII you accept a PEN
sion. a post Of any kind? You shall have
your property back am more than
overjoyed to have 1t in my power to serve
you
Cecie in her amazement. had no an
swer ready. All she could do was to fall
ter. "Oh. sire. what have / done to de-
serve this gratitude?"
Sire broke In Bonaparte. In great
excitement. THE royal title for the first
time from your lips? My infallible little
prophecies? Once more your words will
come true. Yes, shall one day wear the
crown and clasp the royal mantle around
my shoulders Now ! know 1t for GER
tain. You set that laurel wreath ON my
young head In the days long gone at
Bienne. the laurel crown that was n
prophecy Of others. You whispered good
luck. and good luck has come, I am a
fatalist. Since YOU have foretod II feel
the crown Of France upon my brow. I see
the sceptre Of the realm already In my
hands. How can | ever thank you
enough? But first the restitution Of your
property"
Seating himself at the writing table he
wrote few hurried lines rang the bell
and summoned his secretary. Bourienne