The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1841-12-30
VOL. 2 NO. so, WHOLE NO. IO2

afterwards rolled lnio The mire a, the bottom
With such IDEAS. Mary could not bu, find
eontentmenr, and while the hieRds Of her
girhood " ere striving to form ambitious mar
rlsges, needless of the character OF those to
whom they united themselves, she was enjoy
ing domestic happlness,ln her own quiet way.
Iu vain Julia declared she was burying her.
aelf alive. Mary could not be persuaded that
her books and her music together with the per-
formance Of all her pleasant duties as wife,
a daughter, and friend, afforded less gratf-
cation than the heartess intercourse Of the gay
world. Some pted, many wondered al, and q
few approved of Mary's plan Of life; but the
volarles Of fashion were fast losing sight Of
her, and would coon have forgotten her very
existence, when a circumstance occurred,
which, while il excited the envy of her cOntem-
porareS, made her once more an object o! es-
peca interest TO tho lovers Of wealth and
rank. -t. rs s ..
Somewhat more thana year after his msrrl'
age, Frank Merrvale received letters from
Frnnce, stating that, during several years,
search had been making for the nearest heirs
TO the estate and title Of the ancient house Of
Msrrivale; and furthermore informing him that
undoubted proofs had been received Of the fact,
that branch of the family had been living in
ST. Domingo, from whence they had emgTa-
led 10 America where they had borne the name
of Merrivale. The writer therefore reques-
ted that the eldest survivor o. the family would
send certain documentary evidence respecting
his descent, and hold himself prepared, IN case
| the evidence should prove satisfactory, TO re.
| pair to France without delay. The proofs Of
| lineal descent were easily procured, for Franks
grandfather amid all the vcissitudes of his for
tunes, had preserved the old genealogical
parchments, together with seal bearing the
| arms Of the family; and these Frank sent, az
directed, but with little disposition to follow
them into France, unless some more certain
benefit could accrue than he at first anticipa-
ted. The occurrence was subject Of mirth
to his light-hear wife, and Julia quixzed
her unnercfulIy telling her that che was re"
veDged upon her, for all her ISLANDERS against
foreign noblemen, since in spite Of herself, she
was now only French countess; while Mary
retalialed by reminding her siste. OF her re-
pugnance to the plebian alliance with watch-
makers son.
The affair proved, however, to be more Sc
rous than had been expected In the course
Of few months, Frank received letter from
the Count de Merveille, assuring him that he
was the undoubed heir, and that grant had
been obtained by which all vexatious law ques-
tions we're sci aside, and permigsion given to
consider him next in successon, provided he
should arrive in France previous to the death
Of the present possessor. Ths Count urged
the necessity of an immediate visit to France,
declaring himself weighed down to the brink
Of the grave by age and in6rmities. Whether
there was little hereditary aristocFacy still
lurking in the veins Of the watchmakor's con,
cannot say, but certain it is, that Frank Mer-
rivals showed every disposition to accept the
old Counts invitation. That Mary felt ndf-
ferent about the matter, is scarcely TO be ex-
pected; but instead Of the ela,ion which Julia
would have felt in similar circumstances, she
was sadly pined and disappointed. She had
looked forward to life ofquiet happiness, and
she could not bear the thought Of quitting her
native land for an empty title and fortune in q
distant country. But she knew her first duty
was cheerful submission 10 her husbands will,
and she made every arrangement for their de-
parure without murmur of discomfort
Tell me honestly, Mary said Julia, 'are
you not, in spite of your prejudices, both proud
and happy at this change in your forlunesP
Honestly, sister, am neither one nor the
other We have already fortune sufficient
TO our wants. and as we are far TOO strongly
welded TO American habits 10 find tho same
degree Of enjoyment in permanent residence
in a foreign land, of what use to US is an
empty title, which should certainly be a.
sbamed to bear in this country, even if it were
possible 10 retain it bere.'
4 only wish we're placed in simllarcircum-
r stances, Mary, indeed have almost decided
to accept the hand of the handsome Baron
Wallenstein, my new admrer, as soon as he
shall offer It, IN order that may meet you in
Paris, and figure as my Lady Baroness beside
my Countess sister,
DO not jest about so serious a matter, Ju-
:, liza; it would break papa's heart if you were lc
marry one Of those strange gentry whom ht
so de,ests. He is unhappy enough at parting
from me, though assure him | shall soon re'
, turn
But you surely will not.'
Ihave preseniiment that SHALL howev,
or, time will show whether my forebodings ar,
/ true, so will not dwell on them now, onl
let me beg you not to entertain the proposal
Of any one in the hope Of meeting me in Par
i is'
Two years after the Occurances abov Tela
ted cheerful family circle were assem- bled /