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

accomplishments; and nature had furnish
ed me with disposition to study, and
memory so retentive that my friends were
astonished at the progress of their disciple.
Thoughtless of all else, felt the deepest
delight IN acquiring these new rudiments
OF education. But the time came when |
was TO be made sensible, for ehe first time
of the true nature of the task had entered
upon. The confederate at length thought
me perfect and in the character of the rich
Marquis of Rouperon, proprietor of large
estates in Dauphiny, | was installed in the
frs: hotel in Lyons. 1t was under this
title that | presented myself to the picture
dealer in ST. Dominic street. | made
few purchases from him, and seemed anx
ious to purchase more. After little IN
tercourse of this kind, he sent me word
one morning, that he had received superb
collection of engravings from Rome and
begged me to call and see them. did so,
and was not received by him but by Au-
rora. This was the first sight | got of
the lovely girl, and for the first time in my
life, my young and palpitatng heart felt
the power of beauty. 4 new world un-
folded itself before my eyes: soon forgot
my borrowed part; one sentiment absorbed
nv soul, one idea enchained my faculties.
The fair Aurora perceived her triumph,
and seemed to listen with complacency to
the incoheIent expressions OF passion
which escaped my lips. The interview
fixed my destiny forever! The intoxica-
ton of enjoying her presence hurried me
on, blind to everything else. For several
months saw her every day and enjoyed
a state of happiness only damped by the
self-accusing torments of solitary hours,
and by the necessity was under of regu-
larly meeting my employers, who furnish
ed me with money, Jewels and everything
| could require. Atlength Aurora S father
gave little fete in the country, of which
was evidently the hero. A moment
occurred, in which, thoughtless of all but
my love, l threw my self suiter at her
feet. She heard me with modest dignity,
while a tear Of joy, which dlmmed tor
moment her fine eyes, convinced me that
pride was not the only emotion which ag-
itated her heart yes, | discovered that was
beloved
| was an imposter, but heaven is my
witness deceived her not without remorse.
In her presence | remembered nothing but
herself; but in the stiffness of solitude,
sophistry and passion disappeared, leaving
a dreadful perspective before me. Whenl
associated the idea of Aurora with the mis-
cradle fate which was soon fall upon her
delicate hands, employed in preparing the
coarsest nourshment, shrunk back with
horror, or started up covered with a cold
persplration. But self love would come
to my aid, and thought if she truly loved
-I,o ha hoD
vote my life, | swore to the task of strew-
ing flowers along her path. But all my
hopes, all my fears cannot be told. Suffice
it TO say, that her father believed me when
represented my estates as being IN
Dauphiny, distant province. | would
not allow farthing of Aurora's portion to
be settled otherwise than to herself. So
there was one baseness of which was not
guilty.
We were married. At the altar, shiv-
ering ran through my veins, general trep-
idation seized my whole frame, and
should infallibly have sunk to the earth IN
food of tears had not some one come to
nv rescue. The silly crowd around mis-
took the last cry of expiring virtue for an
excess of sensibility.
A fortnight after the marriage, as had
been arranged by my employers, at whose
mercy | was, we started for Montelmart,
my unfortunate bride believing that we
were going to far distant place. Several
of the engravers were themselves our at
tendants, disguised and acting as courtiers
to our magnificent equiPage. The awful
moment of exposure arrived; and when 1t
did come, it proved more terrible than ever
| had anticipated. The engravers made
the carriage be drawn up before mean
and miserable cottage, at the door which
set nv humble but venerable father. Now
came the awiol disclosure. The poor, de-
ceived, and surprised Aurora was handed
out. The engravers came up; they pulled
off their disguises; and he whom Aurora
had SO pointedly refused, exclaimed to
her:
No, madam, no, you have not been born
| or brought up for an engraver, such lol
would have done too much honor TO you.
A bellows mender is worthy of you and
such is he whom you have made your hus-
band! Trembling and boiling with rage,
| L would have replied. but the engravers
entered the coach, and like the shifting oi
sceae in the theatre, all our grandeur
disappeared with them!
Poor Aurora scarcely heard what had
! been said. The truth had flashed upon hei