Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-31
THE VEIL AND THE IRON
LINK.
From the German of Or. Hugo Hagen
dOrff.D

tiles for the Parisians Of the Restaura.
ton found pleasure in two things only
ball and political controversy
Apart from all this life, young man,
wearing the cross of the Legion Of Honor,
was sitting, his thoughts evidently far
from the joys of the ball
"Yon do not dance, I'aron:' inquired
woman, no longer young, touching his
arm with her fan. Come into the next
room and let us have chat"
She led the way, and few minutes later
Baron Alfred was sitting at the side of
Countess Aurcla. Nov, then, confess
What ails you!' she began.
II have received piece Of news which
is sufficient to cmbitter my existence for
years. My best friend, Marquis Lconce, is
what" the Countess interrupted. Gu
riously.
"a galley-slave in Touon," the Baron
replied, in a trembling voice. "lle is &C
cused of having murdered his superior
officer"
Murdered the Countess exclaimed,
terrified.
THAT is the nccusa zion" the Baron con
tinued, Ironically. Though he killed him
| in fair duel. The dead man belonged TO
the party in power, and as there had been
no seconds the duel was made out to be a
| murder"
Poor Marquis :" said the Countess :;
!
she added Have you heard that the lovely
| Athcnais de Bcaulieu is 10 be married.
| The Baron stared ut her, as ii lie were
dreaming
you seem 10 be surprised" she con
tinurd TO be sure, ii was said that she
was in love with young captain. But
Athcnais is poor aud 80 much pressure has
been brought to bear on her from all sides
| that She has at last given in by the way,
| Cominandant de Mersac will take his young
! VIII" to Toulon. where your poor friend is.
The conversation was interrupted by the
| entrance of gentleman. The baron
| bowed, and made his way to the dressing
room. II Countess Aurelia had known
thai he was the young captain whom
| Athenuis loved, she would have been less
eager to give him the news.
In his room Alfred found a letter from
A'henais. giving her reasons for the I'M
port0nt step. She wrote however, that
| she would never cease to love him, and
therefore would neither ask for her pho
| tograph nor return his.
About year later. Athenas was one
evening sitting in her boudolr. deep in
thought Old letters were lying on the
| table before her, and she was gazing sadly
at portrait among them. The rain was
driving against the window panes. and the
fire was burning low in the CRATE
I Suddenly she started The alarm cannon
Of the fort was giving the signal That a
| galley slave had escaped. lnvoluntarily
she went to the door. which, however, at
that moment was opened from the outside.
A young man in the uniform of a galley
slave entered. dripping wet. She drew back
| in terror, ana tried to call for help.
"Do not fear madam the galley slave
said, with dignity contrasting strangely
| with his clothes. II swear by all that is
holy that ! am no criminal For the sake
tomorrow evening No one will seek me
here. | have seen Won in the Command
| ants company. and have felt that If | sue
cccded in breaking my chains | would como
to you for aid in making my escape
Then. CHANGING to glnuce at the table. he
exclaimed in surprise, "Alfred's picture"
You know him" the young woman
asked, blushing
Eyes. madam, but this is not the time
to speak of it. II you will be SO kind as
to hide me until to morrow evening.
swear by this portrait that l will not
trouble You an instant"
Though Athenais did not comprehend
how the galley-slave could know the Baron
this acquaintance with the beloved friend
of her youth spoke for tho fugitive.
"Step into this side. room, she said
after n moments hesitation. ana 60 NJ
the winding stairs. At the top IL my Ii
brary. where no one but myself ever en-
|
cape
The gallcy-slavc smiled. II am safe nm
less YOU b"tray me-. | know that the Com
mandant goes on a journey tonight, and
have made my plans accordingly
He bowed, and disappeared into the next
room. AthenaS rang for her maid and
withdrew to her bedroom.
The next morning Nine. de Mersac com
planned of Il headache. and gave orders that
no visitor was to he admitted. She had
her meals brought mp to her boudoir anC
as soon as she was alone. carried then
into the next room. She then called t.
the galley slave to come down and partak'
of the food, whereupon she went out of the
room, locking the door behind her. and die
not him for the rest of the day. Wher
night began to fall however, the stranger
knocked at the door and AthenaS opened
| baroness, the man said. "yu viii
never regret that you have been kid ant
generous to me VIII you do me the favor
to keep this iron link which | have fllet
Of my wrist, and permit me 10 take thi.
veil which | found in your library as
token that We shall meet again: There i.
no time to lose. In few minutes he tive
I sentinels whom | have to pass will be re-
lieved. and If | iingcr am lost The mer
now on duty will NOT betray me. Wher
YOU hear the blast of a post horn, You viii
know that am safely on my way TO the
; spanish frontier. Farewell, baroness, ant
| may the Lord reward you."
He seized the hand which she instinct
lively held out to him, kissed 1t, and dis
appeared through the door into the dark
ness outside
Soon after, Athcnais drew a breath OF
relief. post horn rang out joyously IL
the night
Some years had passed. Death had dis
solved the tie between the Commaudant