The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-18
SELECTED TALES.
ELEURETTE.

FLEURETTE.
know not, in truth, how it has hap
prred, bat ccr.ain it is, that IA great portion
of the Inhabitants of Pau have n very strong
res"mhlance to Henri Qualre. One might
indeed say, here, tha, he was the father Of
his people, nj least there is u great family
likeness. However, the Bearnais are both
f1nd aud proud Of him. All the shop win
dnws ar full of portraits Of the warm heart
ei mnmrclI, aud very often is added that
Of poor FIrureite, the gardeners daughter.
Sha was the first object ofhis love. He was
very Yong, when one Of the princes Of his
family p5 ssing through Bearn, accompanied
hi 20 The archery ground. There were
many OF ihe youths Of the neighbourhood
shouting for the prize, which was a bouquet
of llDwcrs fastened on the butt and many
n Bearnais girl looking on, and hoping that
her lover would be the winner. Among
others WAS Fleurct,e and her father, the old
gardener of the chateau. She was lovely,
simple, country girl, aud the young prince,
scarcely lrss simple than herself, felt strongly
attracted towards the gardeners daughter.
Apparently, it was without any design that
he first began to speak to her but the
cungr became more ardent, and then first
began ihu,so ofunde6ned courtship, which
has from thcuceforward been called "Con-
ter Eleurettc." lie wos so occupied, il
seems, that he did not even perceive that all
the rest had missed the mark, till his cousin
turned, saying TO him.
"Shoot, Henri shoot, Henri )" and gave
ljm the bow. His arrow did not miss, and
at once lodged in the bouquet, which was
no sonner won than given to Fleurette.
What were the use of telling long story
uhtu, an every lay ma,terl Henri loved
ald was loved IA return hut Fleureite was
a cOuutry girl, and her lover was prince.
II is easy To imagine all the stages of the
husjaCss. She commenced by admiring
him as her prince rs such too, she was
Catered and pleased by his attention. She
bcgar to lhlnk less Of the rank and more of
the tower. She forge, the rank altogether,
bar he himself became more dear. She
loved han not MS IA prince, but rs man,
aud yielded as a woman,-AnJ then all the
golden dreams of hope and passion came
hoyrring ronnd her. Sne never fancied
,uch "A Thing us broken faith. She never
thought that princes could bctray. She nov
csbFheVed ,hnt leuri's heart would change
lie would love her, aud she would love him,
until thelr lives did end. His glory would
I- E"r pride, aud his good be her happiness.
Thus it went on from day to day every
evening he stole away from the castle To
meet her-Therc was pleasure in the
Sccayry, though nli the world knew how
mnulerS went and when any one asked
where the prince was gone, the reply was,
" Conter Fieurcttc."
IL length it so happened, that among 9th
er guests at The chateau was fair girl whose
sank and beauty gave Flcurete some pnnCs.
'Fhe world said that Henri was To receive
her hand the ceaseiess tongue of Fame
kept ringing il in Flcurct,e's ears, till her
checks began 10 turn pale, and she often
wandered laio the woods 10 think in sol tude.
Oh one fair day, while she was thus employ
ci, The priuce and her rival passed bef,re
her. She could no longer doubt, for Henri
held her hand anI there was an ardour i'm
his eyes, and tenderness in his manner,
which Fleurettc had wished, and hoped, and
believed, were never shown to any but her
self.
The hour of their meeting came and
Henri stole from the castle To the pl zee of
ren !czvous.-lt was close to a spriig which,
falling from the rock, had formed deep
basin for itself below and, round about,
the trees had grown up, nourished by its
waters; and as if in gratitude bent down
over the clear still pool, hiding i, from th.
rays of the obtrusiye sun.
Henri walied-all was calm, and still, |
and silent; but there was no Fleurette. lie |
grew anxious, alsrmed--perI,aps his hear,
smote him. lie walked rapidly backward,
when sud lenly he saw a scrap of paper ".
IN IL his path. lie hurried back to the
cit opeqe1 1t, and read, "You have
passed ncaf me-"
ihe prin .e's agitation called instant in
q'ry upon him. But all mystery, all con-
ca neu was now over an agony of fear
"nid'ahhi I'd taken possession of hi, mind.
anl ealing loudly to Others to aid in his
''1's" ''' i''sureuc, nc hurried from the