The Washingtonian., 1845-07-05
POPULAR SELECTI o N 8 !.
" From grave to gay, from lively to severe
VIRTU E REV RD E D.
A GOOD STORY, WELL TOLD.
Concluded.)

(Concluded.)
The young girl paused a moment after read.
ing the note, end then, raising her eyes to
meet her mothers, remarked, as she placed it
on the work table: "Do you not think mother,
that letter is perfect? except the too high
opinion expressed Of me? really think that
M. Barsac is endowed with the utmost good
sense. almost regret that had not seen a
man whose conduct is actuated by such homo
rable motives
"This letter." said Madame Revival, mourn
fully, certainly augments my regret. I feel
that could have loved this young man as a
son. Now what different lot awaits you
Are you not terrified at the idea Of being OBJ
liged to work for your poor mother"
"How unkind," said Anna, chow unlike
yourself! Why, what is it, after all For
merly, embroidered to amuse myself, do
the same now to contribute to your comfort.
The latter will be surely the most agreeable.
Beside, can do it now so much more cheer
fully. Look, have disposed of the collar"
and she showed the empty case which she
had brought, "and here's the price obtained
for it," placing three pieces of money on the
table.
A light knock at the door interrupted the
conversation. Anna cast look of inquetude
at her mother; for since the loss of their for
tunes no visit had broken their solitude.
"Go and open it," said the lady. With a
smile she obeyed, and the opened door gave
entrance to man, whom she Immediately
recognized as the stranger who had assisted
the poor old sufferer.
The countenance of Mademoiselle Revival at
once assumed grave and severe expression.
Her mother perceived the change, but before
she could make an inquiry into the cause, the
stranger advanced, and saluting her with res
pect, said, g Madame, you are, presume, the
mother of this young lady?"
Madame Revival made a sign Of assent, and
pointed out chair to the stranger. He took
it, and continued, ''chance this morning brought
Mademoselle and myself together in affording
assistance to an unhappy"
"Oh mother" interrupted the young girl,
whose neck and face was covered with bushes
at this allusion to the mornings adventure,
81 have not had time to tell you about it. Do
you remember the poor old man who generally
took up his station at the door of our hotel
formerly? He always wore green bandage
over his eyes, to conceal his face from the
passers-by, and held small basket of matches
in his hand"
eyes," interrupted Madame Revival in her
turn, Il remember him we'll !; your father
always dropped some money into the basket
when returning from the Boursc. You always
used to call him your poor old man and you,
as little as you were, delighted in giving him
every thing you could scrape together"
"Well, since our departure from the hotel,
we have asked each other hundred times
what could have become Of him?"
eyes," said Madame Revival, with evident
interest.
"Well, mother, found him to-day, at last,
but in such wretched state that was really
shocked. Stretched on the snow, dying, abso-
lute.y, of cold and hunger; and, without the
assistance of this gentleman, he must have
perished where he lay"
"Say, rather, without yours" said the young
man earnestly. 81 could do nothing, for had
lost my purse. To you, and you alone, is he
indebted for life;" but, continued he in df-
ferent tone, seeing the color mounting to Anna's S
face, "it is not for the purpose Of disclosing to
this lady the secret of your good actions, that
have followed you here, it is to request you
to take the trouble OF buying bed and some
other little necessaries for this poor child of
misfortune. Here are hundred francs that
you will have the goodness to employ for this
purpose. pray you to believe that if | was
not stranger in Paris, and on the point of
quitting it this very evening, would not take
the liberty with persons to whom | am un-
known. | trust that you will excuse my
request"
"There is no necessity to offer an apology"
said Madame Revival, "on the contrary, we
ought TO thank you for having selected us to
complete benevolent action"
"Now, madame" added the young man in
hesitating and timid manner, lit only re-
mains for me to inquire the name of nv Young