The Texas Republican

MISCELLANEOUS.

Napoleon's Mercy.

Napoleon was conversing with Josephine when one of his officers entered and announced a young woman from Paris.

"What is her business with me?"

"Same petition," answered De Mervill.

"Show her to our presence."

Napoleon.

The officer soon returned with a lady leaning upon his arm, whose face, as much as could be scanned through the thick folds of a veil, was very beautiful. She trembled as she approached the throne.

"Madame, I beg," whispered her guide, kindly pressing her hand, "take courage. Answer promptly every question the Emperor proposes, he detests hesitation."

He ushered her into the spacious apartment. He bowed and retired.

The trembling girl, perceiving Napoleon from her lowermost knee sank deep for her obeisance.

Before she could humiliate herself thoroughly she thought of another. Throwing herself at the feet of Napoleon, she exclaimed in a voice choked with emotion, "Mercy, sire! I sue for mercy and pardon." She could add no more.

Josephine stepped from her partial concealment, and their approach hung the ground obtained more in her sympathizing words courage to restore the clamor the young petitioner, than even the Emperor for by his gracious manner, as he bade

"Your petition, mademoiselle," said he.

Her eyes fixed imploringly at the Emperor's, and exclaimed "the sire. I ask pardon for Louis Delamare who is condemned to be shot tomorrow. O grant him his life."

A cloud gathered on the brow of Napoleon, as he interrupted her with "a deserter, mademoiselle, has much deserved his fate."

"No, he must be an scapegoat for the remainder of the regiment."

"Of the cause of his desertion?" cried the young woman, "he was compelled to join the army against his will."

"What are the causes of his desertion?" prompted Napoleon.

"In what manner?"

"He received news that an only brother, an infant, a mother's sole remaining hope," and he paused, and bowed day and night over his

Id her son again Louis knew that murder through his hand was impossible. His mind was filled with one thought that she might claim the favor once asked.

"Did she?" asked the Empress with

"No, madame," replied Henriette "last read. But fondly kind as she was, she gave her blessing. Leon folded in her arms ere he was torn from her grasp the tears of pity and dragged thither. O must he die? Were, sire I beseech"

"Mademoiselle," said Napoleon, approaching her, "thy softens this was the sword of the state the first you omitted that"

"It was," and he hesitating and color

It was that he had I was to me

Count France whom I detest as much

he does altered Henriette with

ite

"Are you his sister, that he feels so great an interest in your fate?" asked the

Emperor

"Oh. no, sire " said Henriette, her cheeks assuming a still deeper shade of the

hue. "I am only his cousin"

"Ah! only his cousin." repeated Napoleon, glancing at Josephine with a half suppressed smile

"Oh are." said Henriette. "recollect anguish of his widowed mother, when

she recollects that the affection of her son is the cause of his death What."

continued can I do to save him i" and

poor girl, forgetting the presence of royalty, burst into tears The kind hearted

Josephine glanced the Emperor with eyes expressive of pity and sympathy She too

watched the workings of his face, and felt at once it was very uncertain whether Louis

Delamare was to be shot the next morning

Napoleon approached the weeping girl

She hastily looked up and dried her tears

"Mademoiselle." said he, "would you give your life for his? Would you die could

Louis Delamare be restored to liberty and his mother

Henriette started back, deadly pale, Look fixedly at the Emperor for a moment

In turning away she buried her face in her hands

After a silence of some minutes, Henriette looked up: an air of fixed determination rested upon her face "I am willing."

said in a very low voice. Napoleon looked at her in surprise, as if he had not anticipated so ready an answer to his proposal.""I will see you again,'he said.

in the mean time accept such apartments for your accommodation as I shall direct."

As soon as the door was closed upon the petitioner. Napoleon walked to the window against which Josephine was leaning, and said. "I see how it is: Louis Delamare is the lover of this young girl

True to woman's nature. she has braved difficulty and danger to beg for his release

"How strong must be the love she bears him." said the Empress

"Ah!" returned he. "I have a mind to subject this love to a severe test. Much I doubt whether she will give her life for him

Nevertheless, I will see

"Sire." cried Josephine, "you are not serious--Louis certainly can be pardoned without the death of Henriette."

Napoleon drew her near the window, and they conversed in a low voice

Henriette stood alone in a magnificent apartment.

Hours passed unobserved. so intensely she absorbed in reverie: a small folded paper was tightly grasped in her small hand

On it were traced these words. "A deserter is condemned by the laws of the army to suffer death. If you wish Delamarre restored to liberty, the means are in your power. Ere day dawns he may be on his way to join his mother, whom he so much loves

Ah! must I do it?" thought Henriette. "I love him too!" Pressing her hands upon her heart. to still its tumultuous beating, she paced the apartment The door opened, and the Chevalier de Merville entered He paused a moment. "Mademoiselle"

"I am ready." replied Henriette; "my decision is made."

De Merville appeared at a loss to comprehend the import of her words. He looked upon her with surprise as well as admiration, as she stood with the high resolve impressed on her beautiful brow "Follow me. Mademoiselle."said he. They traversed long corridors and stately suites of apartments descending a staircase. quickly reached an outer court communicating with the guard house Entering this Henriette was ushered by her guide into a small apartment, where she was soon left to herself

th

o a chair was along a uniform of the regiment to which Louis belonged On a table by a large plumed cap Henriette comprehended all in a moment. Quickly habiting herself in the uniform, she stood before the mirror, and gathered up her beautiful brown tresses in a knot, placed the cap on her head She almost uttered a cry of joy at the success of her transformation when she knew that she was destined to the fatal ground at the morning's dawn. The bullet which would have struck Louis to the heart was to have the messenger of death to her own. but she shrunk not back Love triumphed over the timid woman's nature

Louis's mother will bless me in her heart she whispered Louis himself will never forget me. . And often has he sworn that he loved me better than all else besides."

Drawing a lock of raven hair from her bosom she pressed it to her lips and then breathed a prayer to heaven

Morning dawned! The sound of footsteps roused Henriette She started up grasped the bond of hair, awaiting the summons The door opened and two soldiers entered, repeating the name of Louis Delamare that suddenly led her forth to die

The soldiers whose bullets were to pierce the heart of Louis. had taken their stand and only awaited the word of command from the Emperor. who was stationed at the window, commanding a view of the whole scene

Oh." cried Josephine. who stood by him, "let once and lay the window hinges than the tie of those in low Oh sire

chluhe i Jo's tmh

Iitoa dreadful come Mark the sad

tl' V drunk back' sa, sh ats

calmly awaiting the fatal moment'

Stop' cried the Emperor from the

Window"Louis Delamare pardoned

I revoke his sentence

A loud hurrah from the lips of the soldiers followed his announcement

No one of them had looked at the supposed culprit The next moment they could pass around to congratulate the spared Louis De Merville had drawn the bewildered Henriette through the crowd back to the cell to which she had been led but a few moments before

Return soon as again. Make me

he led to time, the Emperor wishes to see you I will return soon

Henriette was like one in a dream, but a gleam of delight that thrilled her soul!

She felt the dawnings of happiness break upon her heart was fain raining her

philosophy restorations De Merville appeared and again led through the apartments from the ground as the lofty door swung open, she beheld Louis An exclamation of joy from both, regardless of others, that rushed into each other's arms

Napoleon stepped forward Louis Delamare said he you have just heard from my lips the tale of this lovely miss decision and courage Do you love her as she deserves

"I could die for her. " answered Louis proudly

"Well'eriod the Emperor. "this severe test of your will suffice So dutiful a son, so faithful a lover. will doubtless make the best of husbands You Louis and Louis Delamare are discharged. from court Return to your native valley be with them the fair bride

.Here " said the benevolent Josephine emerging from the recessed window, her arms one hundred louis d'ors, as the marriage dowry. Henriette"

A charming blush suffused the cheek of the beautiful girl. as she received the purse from the hand of the Empress

" Long Live Napoleon." exclaimed Louis as with a heart too full of grateful emotion for further utterance, he took the hand of Henriette. and making a graceful obeisance parted the apartment