Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-05-20


much the better. / am the mother of
family, and am not forbidden to think of
my interest but if you pay me not, so much
the better still shall have done a good
deed Therefore, my little Gascon, do not
put Yourself to the trouble of protestatioDs I;
and be at ease as to the lot of your young
mistress"
Marguerite was, however, about to make
fresh protestations but the epithet, little
Gascon, shut her mouth. She paid the first
years schooling, wept much in taking leave
of Amelie, and withdrew, irrtated at how
little was thought of her word,
However, two years passed away without
Marguerite's temperance, and though Mad
am Lartigue was not uneasy, Amelie was
deeply grieved at it. eff she should be dead
she also'' said the little girl weeping :
" for all that love, die papa, Petronille,
and mamma, whom | did not know"
But the last day of this second year Mar
guerte presented herself in the reception
room, paid to Madame Lartgue the year due,
and all other expenses required for Amelie
You sec, madame, that am not so much
of a Gascon," said she, proudly. She then
demanded to sec her young mistress wept
with Joy at seeing her grown handsome, tall
and stout, and then retired, promising to re-
turn before long. notwithstanding, she re-
turned not till the same day in the following
year. She not only brought the money due
for the past year, but also another conside-
rable sum, in order that Ameie should have
the best masters in music and drawing
Madame Llrtigue now thought she ought
L.. I 10
quiries about NJ de Marcllm, mademoiselle,
and | find he has left no property where,
then, do you get this money!
"Ths money is obtained by honest means,
madame" replied Marguerite. "The count,
when dying, left to my mothers care a sum
of money to bring up his daughter: that
sum is not yet exhausted" Madame Lar
tigue had nothing more to say.
Marguerite was seen only once year. In
one hand she brought her purse of money,
and in the other some presents. As long as
Amelie was a child, those presents consisted
of playthings, sweetmeats, and cakes at a
later period she brought frock, jewel, or
some music. Fourteen years passed thus.
Amelie had attained her sixteenth year.
She was blooming and beautiful but the
peasant girl was become old. The secrecy
which reigned throughout Marguerite's &C
tons displeased the frank and open DISPOSE
ton of Madame Lartigue, and disquieted
the confding disposition of Ameie. Mad
anne de Mazans, the only one who had a
right to demand an explanation from Mar
guerite, or to refuse her gifts, was still abb
sent and all that could be done, then, was
to wait with patience, till time cleared up
the mystery.
In 1893, being the 18th anniversary of
the entrance of Amelie into Madame Lar
tigue's school, twelve oc clock struck without
Marguerite making her appearance as usual.
At first no one was III the least uneasy
{" She will come by-and-by," said Amelie,
but the day closed, the night succeeded, and
Marguerite appeared not. Uneasiness be-
gan to gain upon the orphan. " If any evil
should have happened to her If she should
be dead Oh, my God behold me then
alone upon the earth p cried she; and ne-
Their the caresses of Madame Lartigue, nor
her assurances of friendship, could console
her. "Alas !" said the sorrowing girl, 1"
know well that you would do for the poor
orphan what Marguerite has done for her,
but you cannot speak to me of my father
You did not know him !" At this thought
Amelia was inconsolabIe, and she wept bit
terly. She could neither listen to comfort
nor receive any, and she began crying out,
Marguerite Marguerite do not aban-
don me !"
Here am | )" said voice, but so broken,
that Amelie did not at first recognise it; but
quickly turning round, she found herself in
the arms of Marguerite.
The first moment of surprise over, Amelie
and Madame Lartigue were about to ask
the cause of her absence, especially the
alteration and fright which appeared in her
countenance, when the porter announced
that gentleman earnestly entreated to speak
with Madame Lartigue. Immediately a man
still young, though not sufficiently so to ex.
cuse his impetuosity, precipitated himself
into the room, looked round, perceived Mad
ame Lartigue, and suddenly his manners be.
came what might be expected from his APP
pearance-that is, elegant and dignified.
Madame" said he, advancing toward:
Madame Lartigue, and salutng her with all
the ease and grace of a man of fashion, 81
pray you to excuse SO strange conduct, o
which am about to explain the motive
But first, beseech you, tell me if you know
that person ?" He pointed to Marguerite
who, at the sight of the intruder, became
visibly disturbed then all at once she seem
ed to take resolute part.
"Sir," replied Madame Lartigue in grave
tone, " would first pray you to inform mt
to whom have the honor to speak ?"
My intention is not to conceal my name
madame permit me, in the first place tc
explain the cause of my abrupt entrance
Lately arrived in Paris, went yesterday t.
the French theatre, and coming out BY
Montpensier street. where had ordered my
carriage to wait, voice struck my ear--i
clear, harmonious voice, each vibration o
which went to the heart. | knew il hat
already heard it at Rome, at Turin, at Flor
ence, at Madrid, at Seville, at Cordova, an'
| could not mistake it for it had Gascoi
accent, which reminded me of Bordeaux
} my native place Everywhere | heard it,
made my way through the crowd to com,
: near the singer, and everywhere found he
enveloped in long brown dress, with he
face covered by black veil nothing be
= trayed her age Judge my astonishmen
I when yesterday heard the same voice, es
t pecially the same accent Irushed toward
the singer-it was still the same figure an,
cried out, " Whoever you are, will know
YOU P' 1t drew back gained one of tn