Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-07

live, and which l hare> never parted with
for an Instant" 81 do, indeed, remember
that cross-it is the very one! Never was
illusion SO perfect-never was man SO be-
wildered. Divine creature, oh! take pity on the
confusion into which you have thrown me-
Your elegance betrays you. No, you are not
mere country girl. Tell me then, to whom am
Indebted for the most delicious emotion ev-
err felt in my life?-Whence do you GOMEZ
Who are you?" "She is my daughter" cried
the Countess de Lauterbach, suddenly stepping
from the concealment Of a thicket, and throwing
herself into the arms of BoufHers. "My dear
protector-kind author of my happiness and of
wife and widow of Charles Werner, whose only
daughter stands before you. Your emotion,
however strong, cannot equal NINE" "How,
madam! are you not that simple village girl
Yes, yes, there are those large deep-biuc pene.
trating eyes-lhere is that expressive mouth
there is that enchanting smile; could almost
believe can still see the traces Of the kiss so
innocently received Good and beautiful as
you were, you had right to become what you
now are. But lell mt, now happened it that,
for once, Fortune was not blind?--have the
kindness to satisfy my curiosity be consistent
with the affection my dear Alma always had for
me-" "Listen them replied the Countess,
with con6ding delight.
"Charles,'in whom you took such generous
interest, having distinguished himself by re-
peated acts of bravery, obtained a commission
shortly after our marriage. The war which
broke out between France and Germany, call
ed him TO the field, and followed him. He
afterwards rose to the rank of colonel of caval-
ry, when he saved the life of the Count de Lau-
| terbach, commander Of Bavarian division, on
| the field ofbaltle; bu: in this act he received a
mortal wound, and with his last breath recon-
mended his wife and child, then an infant, to the
Generals care. Count Lauterbach thought
| that in no way could he SO effectually prove his
gratitude to his preserver, as by becoming the
husband of his widow and the father of his
child. After few years Of a happy union, he
died of the numerous wounds he had received,
leaving me large fortune, and revered and
cherished memory. At that time," added the
Countess, 81 knew that you had been compelled
to quit France and to take refuge in Prussia. l
left no means untried to discover the place of
your residence; but your change OF name, your
travelling as French painter, as you have SO
often done, always prevented my accomplishing
what was my emotion on meeting you the other
day at Lausanne. instantly determined to prove
to you, in some degree at least, my joy and gra-
tiiude; and taking advantage of my daughters
age, and of her perfect resemblance to that
Alma VINO owed to you the hand of Charles
Werner, and all that she has subsequently pos
sessed or enjoyed, l made use of your own CO.
lors; copied the most beautiful scene of your
elegant story, which have read SO often--in
short, tried to bewitch, you with your own en-
chantments."
"Ah!" exclaimed Boufflers, pressing the mo-
Their and daughter to his heart, "never shall
forget this ingenious delicacy; it is true, that
the memory Of the heart is indestruc,be in
women; and see that The little good one may
be able TO do to the simplest village girl, may
become capital which gratitude will repay
with interest" L.