by Anonymous
officers to save the manwho had thus acted treacherously towards him, he escaped a severepunishment which he otherwise would have met with. The noble conduct ofRodolph filled him with gratitude; he asked his forgiveness, which wasinstantly granted, and they became the best of friends.
After the war was over, the army returned to France, and great was thejoy of Rodolph at the thought of once more beholding his mother, andto think he had now the means of rendering her comfortable for life.On entering the town he flew to the home of his parent, for he hadbeen away a long while; and he was so altered with his splendiduniform, bright sword and epaulettes, that his mother scarcely knewhim; but her joy at once more seeing him, knew no bounds.
Rodolph had been home but a short time, when the thoughts of hislittle companion would not let him remain long without trying to seeher. He repaired immediately to the school, but all were strangefaces, and nobody seemed to know him or little Mary either. He nextvisited the camp, but found the regiment had gone back to Italy a longtime since, and Mary of course was with them. Poor Rodolph returned,with bitter disappointment, and determined to join the army again, anddie on the field of battle. With this resolution, after taking anaffectionate leave of his mother, he returned to tent, and was soonagain amid the roar of cannon and the clash of arms; for Rodolph hadbeen so long surrounded by danger and the busy scenes of a soldier'slife, that the peaceful home of his boyhood seemed wearisome to him.
We now return to little Mary, who was at school, making friends ofevery one she became acquainted with, and carefully studying herlessons, and most always at the head of her class. On entering theroom one morning, and looking round, she saw that Rodolph was notthere. He staid away the next day, and the next; when Mary heard hehad been seen in company with some recruiting soldiers, and shetrembled for fear he had gone with them. She immediately hastened tothe camp, and almost the first thing she saw was Rodolph, with hismusket shouldered, and the perspiration streaming down his cheeks,while the rough, harsh voice of an old corporal ordered him instantlyto his quarters.
Mary waved her hand to him, but he did not see her. The tears rolleddown from her eyes, as she turned from him--for she knew the hardshipshe would have to suffer--and hurrying home, threw herself in the armsof the Old Guard, and wept as though she had lost her only friend. Thenext day she heard of his departure, and went to her studies, with thehope that he might return and spend some happy hours with her once more.
After the regiment had stayed a long-time in France, it returned toItaly again; and coming to a beautiful village, the Old Guard toldMary it was the place where the battle was fought, and showed her theplace where he found her. Mary could not remember the spot nor anything else which she saw, for it was a long while ago, and she was avery little girl at that time. The houses which had been burned downwere all built up again, and the little boys and girls were allplaying about as though nothing had ever happened. On the arrival ofthe soldiers, they all ran to look at the Guards and hear the drums.
It soon became known that a young lady was with the regiment, and thestory of her and the Old Guard was told to almost every one, and thatshe once lived in that beautiful village, and was found on thebattle-field and carried off by the French soldiers. It was not longbefore the story of little Mary was told to a lady, who lived in abeautiful mansion or villa near the quarters of the regiment. Herhusband, who was an officer, was killed in battle, and her littlechild lost in the crowd of people and soldiers who were trying to savethemselves, on that terrible day the French soldiers came to fight theAustrians. The dead body of her husband was found, but nothing wasever known of the little child. The more she thought of the story ofMary the more she thought of her own little girl; and ordering hercarriage directed it to be driven to the camp; where she found thetent of the Old Guard, and inquired for little Mary. When the lady sawher she was surprised, to see such a beautiful girl with thesoldiers--for Mary was now a young lady, and had been many years withthe regiment. She asked the Old Guard many questions concerning thebattle; and heard how she was found on the field, surrounded bycannons, and horses, and killed and wounded soldiers; that she wascrying bitterly, and sat by the side of a dead officer. The lady heardthe Old Guard, and wept while he was telling the story, for she beganto think that Mary was her long lost little girl. But when the OldGuard brought the dress, and a necklace and locket which she had onher neck, all of which he had carefully kept, and showed them to thelady, she cried for joy, and clasped Mary in her arms; for it wasindeed her little Mary; and she kissed her over and over again. Thedress was the same she had worn on the morning of the battle, and thenecklace was a present from her papa, the officer who was killed; andthe letters on it were for her name, which was Mary St. Clair. The OldGuard was surprised and delighted to know that little Mary was anofficer's daughter, and that her parents were so rich and great; butthe tears came in the old soldier's eyes when he thought she mustleave him; and Mary could not bear the thought of parting with himforever. But Mrs. St. Clair, Mary's mother, was determined they shouldnot be separated, when she heard how kind the Old Guard had been toher; and, after procuring his discharge, invited him to live withthem. The party at length set out for the villa, and the soldiers ofthe Guards took leave of her with tears in their eyes, and rushed fromthe ranks to kiss her for the last time.
Mary was delighted with her ride, but more pleased with her beautifulhome, and the splendid apartments, and the costly furniture. Mary wasimmediately introduced to many young ladies and gentlemen, and soonbecame one of the liveliest and most beautiful women in Italy. The OldGuard dressed himself in his best uniform, which he would neverexchange for any other dress: for although Mrs. St. Clair wanted tohave him dress like a gentleman, he always refused, saying he hadalways lived and was determined to die a soldier. Not long after this,a great Ball was given by some of the nobility, and all the officersof the army, far and near, were invited. The assembly was brilliant,and imposing; the bright uniforms and gay dresses glittered by thelight of chandeliers, and music and festivity seemed to delight themall. As Mary was leaning on the arm of the Old Guard, she noticed ayoung captain of infantry continually gazing on her, whose faceappeared familiar. He stepped forward and mentioned her name, and inan instant they were in each other's arms; it was Rodolph. The warswere ended, and in travelling about the country, he had accidentallyreceived an invitation. As soon as Mary entered the room, heremembered her, and after making himself known, enjoyed her societyfor the evening. The Old Guard died at the villa, and Mary and Rodolphwere married, and lived at the village the rest of their lives.
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