The Washingtonian., 1845-06-28

of charity, when her attire gave every indca-
ton of privation and penury! Cold as the
weather was, the bonnet which encircled her
delicate and beautiful features, was of black
straw; the silk gloves, mended in several pla-
ces, served to cover her hands, but certainly
not to guarantee them from the cold. An old
cashmere, worn to the last extremity, was
thrown over faded gown Of dark silk, and her
whole appearance betokened the absence of
any warm garment. The young man would
undoubtedly have been struck by the extreme
beauty Of her features, had there been no other
charm to attract him; but there was about her
that indescribable something which pleases
more than mere beauty land that is, a union
of goodness and elegance, which is, indeed,
but seldom to be met with, but when seen is
irresistible. AT last her selfimposed task was
oversize approached the old man, and stoop-
ing down towards him, nodded her head kindly
as she uttered the words, 81 will soon return"
She then took small case which she had
put down on her entrance, and saluting the
stranger, she left the room, and descended the
narrow stairs with rapid step.
The young man gazed on her moment, and
then turned toward the invalid. 81, on the
contrary, shall not return, for leave Paris this
evening; but you shall soon hear from me"-
then pressed the old mans hand kindly, and
departed.
When he emerged from the gateway Of the
house into the street, though hopeless Of seeing
his young assistant in the work Of benevolence
in which he had been engaged, he still could
not avoid looking round to see if by chance she
was still in sight As chance would have it,
she was standing as if undecided at the door of
a jewellers shop at some distance. At last
she appeared to have formed her determination,
for she opened the door and entered Without
exactly analyzing the cause Of his curiosity,
the stranger approached the window Of the
shop, and observed what was going on within.
He saw the young girl take off her gloves, and
whilst he was admirng the dazzling wilderness
and aristocratic form oftbe hand, she drew with
some emotion ring from her finger, and pre-
sented it to the person at the counter. He took
it, examined it carefully, rubbed and tested the
stone, and then methodcally took small pair
Of scales, and, having ascertained the weight,
offered his customer price, which it was easy
to see she accepted, from the movement Of as
sent with which she bent her head The Jew
eller opened drawer, and counted out some
money, which he pushed over the counter; and
having written down the name and address, he
cast the ring into another drawer, amongst a
heap of jewels Of all sorts and colors. The girl
then departed, and in minute afterwards the
young man entered into the shop.
In short time afterwards she turned into
plain looking house, in one Of the streets off
the Rue St. Honore and opening door on the
Rue de Chassee, she entered hastily, crying,
Here am, dear mother. You must have been
uneasy at my long absence"
Madame Revival, the person to whom these
words were addressed, appeared infrm, but
more for trouble than from years. She was
stretched on sofa, and appeared in delicate
health. Her features unusually pale, assumed
an appearance of animation when her daughter
entered, and then Immediately became more
sombre than before.
"Dear Anna," said she, 81 have an unplea-
SAINT piece of news to acquant you with it was
this, perhaps that made me rather fear your
return than take note Of your prolonged alb
sence.'
Anna having cast on chair her shawl and
bonnet, Immediately seated herself on low
stool, near the end Of the sofa which supported
her mothers head. The latter passed her hand
affectonately over the dark hair of her daugh-
ter, and then continued:
"You know that your father had promised
your band to the son of M. Barsac, of Bordeaux,
his oldest friend. The death of your father
the heightened illness which has so much re-
duced me--had not overcome my courage, as
long as could live in the hope of seeing you
one day rich and happy, under the protection
Of worthy husband. This very morning the
scafolding of happiness which loved SO much
to build up for you, fell to the ground. This
letter, addressed to our old habitation, ought to
have come to hand yesterday. Here, read for
yourself"
Anna took tie letter which her mother held
out to her, and, looking at the signature, re-