The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-11-15

you have been the wife his bosom! The
contract may be annulled, and 10 stain
may rest upon you. But stain may be
cast upon another. Can you, will you
throw the blot of illigitimacy upon one
even more innocent than YOURSELF The
appeal was understood and was not made
in vain. The trembling Aurora exclaimed,
No, no!' and the tears fell fast as she
spoke.
The marriage was not annulled-was no
longer songht to be annulled. But while
the contract which | had signed with my
own name, believed by them to be the
family name of the Marquis de Rouperon)
was declared valid, and it was also deter
mined that Aurora should remain unmo-
Tested by the adVenturer who had so far
deceived her. Every legal precaution
was taken that I should have no control
over her or her affairs. After this event
did not remain long in Lyons, where
heard my name everywhere branded with
infamy. Master, by the means have re-
lated, of considerable sum, [ went to
Paris, where [ assumed foreign name,
entered into business, and, more to drown
remembrance than from any other cause,
pursued it with an ardor which few have
evinced in the like circumstances. The
widest speculations were those that attract
ed me most, and fortune favored me in
most remarkable way. became the head
of fourishing commercial house, and ere
five years had--passed away, had amassed
considerable wealth. At times, however,
the remembrance of my wife threw me
into fits of anguish and despair. | dared
not think, nevertheless, of attempting to 60
near her, until it chanced that | had it in
my power materially to serve a banker in
Ly yons, who pressed me much to pay him
a visit. After much uneasiness and anx-
iety, resolved to accept the invitation.-
Once more | entered Lyons, and on this
occasion with an equipage which was not
borrowed, though as handsome as my for
mer one. My friend the banker, on being
questioned, told me that Aurora still lived
in the convent, and was admired for her
propriety of conduct, and for her unre-
hitting attention to her child, her
boy; but he told me her father had Just
died, leaving her almost dep endent upon
the charity of the abbess. This recital
excited me in the most lively emotions. |
took an opportunity afterwards of visiting
one of the engravers, who scarcely knew
me, changed as | was, but who received
me warmly. | requested him to assemble
the creditors of the father of Aurora, and to
pay his debts, giving him funds for that
purpose. | told him to purchase some
pieces of furniture which | knew to be
highly priced by Aurora.
Every hour of my stay in Lyons
strengthened my desire to see my wife,
and at least to fold my boy in my arms
The feeling became at length irresistible,
and | revealed myself to the banker, be-
seeching him to find some way of taking
me TO the convent. His astonishment to
find in me the much spoken of bellows
mender, was beyond description. Hap
PLY, however, he was acquainted with the
abbess, and assured me that it was easy at
least to obtain sight of my wife. Ere
an hour passed away my friend had taken
me there. | was introduced as Partisan
merchant, and beheld with emotions un-
speakable, my wife seated in the convent
parlor, with a lovely child asleep upon her
knee, in conversation with her venerable
friend. Aurora, now twenty-three years
of age, seemed to me more lovely than
ever. l had purposely wrapped myself
closely up, and she knew me not, though
| perceived an involuntary start when she
first saw me, as if my presence reminded
her of some once familiar object. | could
not speak; my friend maintained all the
conversation. But the boy awoke. He
saw strangers present, and descended from
his mother knee. Looking at myself
and my friend for moment, he cam9 for
ward to me. Oh! what were my feelings
when | found myself covered with the
sweet caresses, the innocent kisses of my
child! An emotion which [ had no power
to subdue, made me rise hastily, and throw
myself with my child in my arms at the
feet of my pale and trembling wife. 'Au
roral AuIora!' | exclaimed in broken ac
cents, your child claims from you a fa
ther! Oh, pardon.' The child claspet
her knees and seemed to plead with ne
Aurora seemed ready to faint. Her lips
quivered. and her eyes was fixed as if il
stupor upon me; flow OF tears came Il
her relief, and she answered my appeal by
throwing herself into my arms. Il know
not she sobbed, whether you again de
ceive me, but your child pleads too pow
erfully! Aurora is yours!
This event closes my history. | toun'
Aurora much improved by adversely, ant
have tasted a degree of happiness with ne
such as no Penitence for the past coul