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Article THE MASTER'S APRON.—A TALE.† ← Page 7 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Master's Apron.—A Tale.†
an object equally covered with gore , through which the ball that killed him had passed , carrying away at the same time one of the branches of his cross of the legion of honour , which is under the portrait , and which 1 sent to you as soon as possible . " The Major ceased speaking for a moment , ancl then placed before tho widow an APRON , of lamb skin , surrounded by a blue ribbond , in the middle of ivhieh might be seen three rosesmade of ribbond of the same
, colour . This small APRON , folded without doubt in four folds in the pocket of Captain Mathiew at tbe moment he was wounded , had four round holes , ivhieh marked the passage of the ball ; and although originally white , it was now spotted with blood . The Major continued . " ' Brother Melville , ' said the dying man , ' there it is . I place it in your hands . Although we are of two different Orients , and although our two countries are at warwe nevertheless are friends—we are
, BROTHERS . What will you do for my widow ? What will you do for my daughter ?' "' ' 1 he half of my fortune . ' cried I , ' belongs to them from tin ' s moment . ' " ' No , no , that is too much . ' " ' My Brother , my entire fortune . ' " No , no . '
"' Well then ! more than that ; I will do all that is humanly possible / " He gave me his hand and expired . '' During this narration , the widow was melting with tears . She wanted to grasp the bloody relic that was before her eyes ; and wished to press it to her lips . The Major stopped her .
" Pardon me , said he , ' it is the gage of my promise . My regiment , instead of coming to France , was sent to England . I could not come to see you , but I ascertained how you was , and how you lived . While I was contemplating in what way I should fulfil the promise I had made a Brother , that died in my arms , I lost my wife . My various projects were laid aside , for I knew what I had to do . 1 knew that I should offer something besides charity ; I owed you an entire protection—I owed daughter all the happiness ancl protection that the youth of
your my son could afford . Notwithstanding , madam , " s ' aid the Major , while the widow held his hand , within her own , mutually clasped , " perhaps my son Edward may not love your daughter , or Julia may have no affection for him ;—but they have seen one another , ancl the proof is enough !—for us . " " ' We also have seen one another , ' said the widow , with a voice broken bher sobbing .
y " Miss Julia , Miss Julia ! " cried the good Major , in opening the door that led to the shop , " come here if you please—come here , it is your stepfather that calls you . " The young girl hesitated for a moment , but at last obeyed ; she went into the back room , but not alone ;—a handsome young man , Edward Melville , followed her ; and they both implored the blessing of Mrs . Mathiew . That same day , Sir John Melville said to his friend the Count of
Cernay" I announced to you , my friend , a marriage ; we are going to have two ; I am to marry the widow of Captain Mathiew , who died on the field of honour at Waterloo , and my son is to marry their daughter ; I wish to invite you ancl the Countess , and the lovely Aldegonde to the wedding . " But the Count was deprived of the pleasure ; he hacl an engagement for that day at the castle , thc Countess had the headache ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Master's Apron.—A Tale.†
an object equally covered with gore , through which the ball that killed him had passed , carrying away at the same time one of the branches of his cross of the legion of honour , which is under the portrait , and which 1 sent to you as soon as possible . " The Major ceased speaking for a moment , ancl then placed before tho widow an APRON , of lamb skin , surrounded by a blue ribbond , in the middle of ivhieh might be seen three rosesmade of ribbond of the same
, colour . This small APRON , folded without doubt in four folds in the pocket of Captain Mathiew at tbe moment he was wounded , had four round holes , ivhieh marked the passage of the ball ; and although originally white , it was now spotted with blood . The Major continued . " ' Brother Melville , ' said the dying man , ' there it is . I place it in your hands . Although we are of two different Orients , and although our two countries are at warwe nevertheless are friends—we are
, BROTHERS . What will you do for my widow ? What will you do for my daughter ?' "' ' 1 he half of my fortune . ' cried I , ' belongs to them from tin ' s moment . ' " ' No , no , that is too much . ' " ' My Brother , my entire fortune . ' " No , no . '
"' Well then ! more than that ; I will do all that is humanly possible / " He gave me his hand and expired . '' During this narration , the widow was melting with tears . She wanted to grasp the bloody relic that was before her eyes ; and wished to press it to her lips . The Major stopped her .
" Pardon me , said he , ' it is the gage of my promise . My regiment , instead of coming to France , was sent to England . I could not come to see you , but I ascertained how you was , and how you lived . While I was contemplating in what way I should fulfil the promise I had made a Brother , that died in my arms , I lost my wife . My various projects were laid aside , for I knew what I had to do . 1 knew that I should offer something besides charity ; I owed you an entire protection—I owed daughter all the happiness ancl protection that the youth of
your my son could afford . Notwithstanding , madam , " s ' aid the Major , while the widow held his hand , within her own , mutually clasped , " perhaps my son Edward may not love your daughter , or Julia may have no affection for him ;—but they have seen one another , ancl the proof is enough !—for us . " " ' We also have seen one another , ' said the widow , with a voice broken bher sobbing .
y " Miss Julia , Miss Julia ! " cried the good Major , in opening the door that led to the shop , " come here if you please—come here , it is your stepfather that calls you . " The young girl hesitated for a moment , but at last obeyed ; she went into the back room , but not alone ;—a handsome young man , Edward Melville , followed her ; and they both implored the blessing of Mrs . Mathiew . That same day , Sir John Melville said to his friend the Count of
Cernay" I announced to you , my friend , a marriage ; we are going to have two ; I am to marry the widow of Captain Mathiew , who died on the field of honour at Waterloo , and my son is to marry their daughter ; I wish to invite you ancl the Countess , and the lovely Aldegonde to the wedding . " But the Count was deprived of the pleasure ; he hacl an engagement for that day at the castle , thc Countess had the headache ,