Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-30

actly Analysing the cause OF his curiosity, the
stranger approached the. shop window and OBJ
served what was going on within He saw the
young girl take off her gloves, and while he was
admiring the dazzling wilderness and aristocrat-
ic form of the hand, she drew, with some emo
ton, ring from her finger, and presented 1t to
the person ehind the counter. He took 1t,
examined it carefully, rubbed and tested the
stone, and then methodically took a small pair
of scales and having ascertained the weight, Of
fered his customer price, which, it was easy to
see, she accepted from the movement of assent
with which she bent her head. The jeweler
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, among heap Of jew
els of all sorts and colors. The girl then de-
parted, and in minute aHerward the young man
entered the shop
In short time afterwards she turned into a
plain looking house, in one of the streets off the
Rue St. Honore, and opening the door Of a
room on the Rue de Chassee, she enterd hastily
crying, Here am, dear mother. You must
have been uneasy at my long ABSENCE
Madame Revival, the person addressed, appear
ed infrm, though more from trouble than from
years. She was stretched ON a sofa, and APP
peared in delicate health. Her features, unu-
suay pale, assumed an appearance of animation
when her daughter entered, and then immed-
ately became more sombre than before.
Dear Ann said she, 4 have an unpleasant
piece of news to acquaint you with; it was this,
perhaps, that made me rather fear your return,
than take note of your prolonged Absence
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 daughter,
and then continued:
you knew that your father had promised
your hand to the son of M. Barsac, Of Bor-
deaux, his oldest friend The death of your ia
Their, the heightened illness which has so much
reduced 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 scat
folding Of happiness, which loved so much to
build up for you fell to the ground. This letter
addressed to our old habtation, ought to have
come to hand yesterday. Here, read for your
self
Anna took the letter which her mother held
out to her, and. looking at the signature, remark
ed; 1T is from Jules Barsac himself she then
read the contents aloud.
MADAME As long as fortune smiled on me,
l thought with delight on the alliance which M.
Revival and my father contracted for me- but the
late failure Of the firm of Dandelins g. Co., has
drawn on ours; and as a man of honor / deem
myself bound to restore to you my promise. II
your daughter and myself were we'll acquainted
and if mutual affection had been the basis of the
projected union, l would have bent my knee be-
fore you, Madame, and prayed to wait until
had repaired our disaster; but have the right tc
call on another to share in my poverty and par
take of my labors? Do even know what space
of time it may take to acquire fortune worthy
of that which you have lost! He that is above
can only tell. Your daughter, brought up un-
both amiable and lovely. Who is there, then
who will not be proud and happy to give her an
honorable name, and position in society equal
to that in which she was born? AS to me-
have nothing left, and unwillingly l am forced
to renounce the favor designed for me- You
will pardon me, Madame, for leaving Paris with
out paying my respects to you; but should fear
after having seen your daughter, to carry with me
keen regret, which might trouble the calm Of
an existence now consecrated to labor
Farewell, then, Madame; believe me to be
penetrated with every sentiment of respect fol
you, and to remain,
JUEs BARsAc.
f The young girl paused moment after read
ing the note, and then raising her eyes to hel
mothers she remarked, as she placed it on the
work table, Do you not think, mother tina
etter is perfect! Except the too high opinion.
, expressed of me? l really think that M. Barsac
acted with the utmost good sense. l almost re
greet that had not seen man whose conduct il
actuated by such generous motives
This letter. said the mother, mournfully
certainly augments my regret. 1eel that
could have loved this young man as son.
Now, what different lot awaits you'll Are you
not terrified with the idea of being obliged tt
, work for your poor otber.'
How unkind,' said Anna, 'how unlike your
self Why, what is it, after all? Formerly,
embroidered to amuse myself, do the same nov
to contribute to your comfort. The latter viii
surely be the most agreeable Besides, I car
do it now so much more cheerfully. 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 con
versation. Anna cast look of inquietude a
her mother, for since the loss of their fortunes
no visit had broken their solitude
Go and open it, said the lady. With
smile she obeyed, and her opening the door gave
entrance to man whom she Immediately recog