The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-25

Laura. No, the attachment between her and
the unknown was OF the most Platonic descrip-
tion. "They met again and Oft" and oh, how
deyoutly Laura loved the young cavalier. She
was passonately fond Of rank. IL seldom hap
pens, in the novels liked by young ladies, that
ayoung lover is permitted to be of less rank
than peers son. Smaller people are only
only brought in TO be laughed at-odd cha
raciers - white-stockinged quidnuncs-fathers
who are 10 be cheated-brothers to be in
suited: in short. the great majority Of human
creatures are Russell squared into becoming
degree OF ludicrus iDsignihcance. Accordingly,
70 Miss Laura, lover must necessarily be no
thing of Calcot; and she reflected with in
discribable rapture on the certainty Of having q
gallant whose forefathers had enjoyed some
thing four. hundred years in the family. But
what was that something's She was curious
she Intercepted her lover as 10 his name and
rank He changed color--he bit his lp--he
thrust both hands into his breeches pockets. 81
cannot tell you what am" said he. "No,
charming Laura, forgive me--one day you shall
know alIn
| Can he be the kings eldest SOM" said
Laura TO herself After all, this mystery was
very delightful.
She introduced the young gentleman to her
father. "Ah," quoth the former, squeezing the
attorneys hand, "your family have been good
friends to mine"
| "How !" cried the attorney "are we then ac-
qualnted ?-may crave your name sir?
| The lover looked confused--he mumbled out
some excuse-just at present, he had reasons for
wishing it concealed Our unknown had a long
have shot another in duel
| "AhaW said the attorney, winking and
lowering his voice-"I smell you, sr-you have
killed your man, EN- 2"
"Hap p cried the stranger and clapping his
forehead wildly, he rushed out Of the room.
CHAPTER uI.--THE LAWYER MATCHED
| But let US change the theme MARINE FaIero.
| II was now clear-the stranger had evidently
been brave transgressor of the law /; perhaps
an assassin-certainly victorious single COM
batter. This redoubled, in Laura's bosom, the
| interest she had conceived for him. There is
nothing renders young lady more ardent in her
attachment than the superstition that her lover
has committed some enormous crime. Her fa-
ther thought he might make good thing out of
his new acquaintance He resolved to find out
| if he was rich-f rich, he could marry him to
his daughter; if poor, he might as well inform
! against him, and get the reward. An attorney
is bow-a crooked thing with two strings to it.
| II was in the wood that the lawyer met the
stranger. The stranger was examining tree.
"Srong, strong" muttered he; eyes, il is
worth buying"
" Are you judge Of trees, sr2"
"Hum yes, OF peculiar sort Of tree"
Have you much timber of your own2"
:" A great deal, replied the stranger, coolly.
'Of the best kind?"
ut is generally used for scaffolding"
"Oh, good deal" The lawyer paused. "You
cannot" said he archly, conceal yourself; your
rank is sufficiently apparent"
"Good heavens y
eyes, my daughter heard you boasting of
your hereditary distinction; four hundred years
1t has existed in your family"
''lt has. indeed"
And does the property, the cash part of the
business, go with it2"
Yes, the government provide for u.s."
"Oh, pension ;-hereditary too"
"You say it."
'Ah It's the way with your great families"
| said the lawyer to himself "always quartered
on the public"
"What's that he mutters about quartered %
inly exclaimed the stranger with emotion.
at is from our taxes their support is drawn"
continued the lawyer,
Drawn, sir!' cried the stranger aloud.
'And il it be not the best way of living hang
me- concluded the lawyer.
I" You! faltered the stranger, claspng his
hands; +" horrible suppostion!"
CHAPTER lV.-ENLiGHTENED SENTIMENTS
Joy was not always absent from his face
But DER il in such scenes would steal with tranquil
grace"-Chde Harold.
"You will really marry me, then, beautiful
Laura" said the stranger, kneeng on his peck
ct handkerchief
Laura bushed. You are $3.50 bewitch-
ing-and-and you will always love me--and
you will tell me who you are"
After our marriage yesN said the lover,
somewhat discomposed.
"No--now, now ?" cried Laura, coaxingly-
He was silent. Come, will get it out Of you.
You are an eldest son 2"
"lndeed am,n sighed the stranger.
:" GU have an hereditary title 2n
"Alas yes!'
1t descends to YOU"
at does.'
"You have a--a--lhe means to support il ~
"Assuredly."
Convince me Of that" said the lawyer, who
had been listening unobserved, ''and my daugh-
ter is yours-letyou have killed your man hun
bred times, over.n
Wonderful liherality !" cried the stranger
enthusiastically and throwing himself al the
lawyers feet.
CHAPTER v.--cIRcUMsTANcIAL EVIDENCE.
" The soul wears gu, her clothes"
Plate, Apparently not
The stranger wore a splendid suit of clothes.
The mystery about him attracted the admiration
and marvelof the people at the little inn at which
he had taken up his lodging. They were talk
ing about him in the kitchen one morning when
the boots was brushing his coat tailor from
the capital who was travelling to his country
seat, came into the kitchen to ask why his break
fast was not ready.