Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1851-08-27

might devote ner lie 10 the purpose Oh Nhuhnh0
Melceur's latter days. Marie Brioude left her
native village, whose name she bore, and with
recommendations from the MARIE and Protestant
clergyman, simply bearing witness TO her good
character, she proceeded to Grenoble in Dau-
phny where, by one of those fortuious crcum-
stances which some people call chance, and others
fate or fortune, she was received rs domestic in
the house of Madame Frodart. Madame Froid-
art had left Brioude with her daughter on the very
year that her friend had received Marie into her
home and as there was little community OF taste,
and few sympahies existing between them, there
had been no correspondence. Madame Frodart,
whose husband was now in the commissarat de-
partment, was now wealthy, and this was, per-
haps another inducement for her to forget the
poor and Questionable LUCILLE MelcGur. Her
daughter, Dora, too, had engrossed her soul as
much as Ernest Melceur had done that of his
mother, and she had striven to render her child as
accomplished and fashionable as the other had
endeavored to make her son good.
Marie Brioude, who had hitherto been loved
and treated as the child and friend of hghsouled
woman, now found herself the slave of a caprc
ious beauty. The smile that so cnlivens service,
never shone on the lips of Dora Frodart. The
gentle word SO easily said, and the well-bred "if
you please" and 'thank you," never stole in dull
Get accents from the lips of Dora Froidart' The
imperative gesture and the cold command were
all that she vouchsafed to her, whom she always
declared to be "only servant" Marie Brioude
would not have been NOBLE unless she had been
what Dora despised-a servant. 1t was the no.
blest privation of her life and its end was glori
fled by the purposes of her toll She could have
submitted to a servitude far more calling than
even that of Dora, in order TO accomplish the OBJ
ect, which, like pillar of light, led her through
Al
less labors.
"Come, Marie" Dora would say, sand remove
those geraniums am sick of their odor. l won
der why mama can so delight to torment me with
them !" and then she would command them to be
arranged before her on the stand, that she might
lie on the sofa and gaze at them like some eastern
beauty in her harem. She would have her hair
braided la Madonna when in pensive mood,
and then she would transform the modest tresses
into the most voluptuous Turkish curls, when her
heart was touched with what she thought was
love. Dora Froidart was caprcious, and Marie
Brioude was the slave of her caprices.
AT length a visitor came to Madame Frodart's
house not casual fashionable visitor, but friend
of the family, who had been long abroad, and to
whom it beloved Dora to pay the most marked
attentions. He was not like the general visitors
of Madame Froidart, for he neither played nor
INDUCED in loud laughter; he was gentle and
modest rs a woman, and his voice was as earnest
as a mothers prayer. Dora Froidart was sitting
by the accomplished stranger, delightedly dis
playing the contents of her portfolio, when Mad
anne Riquet, the projects vulgar wife, was an
nounced.
"Tell her am not at home" said Dora, half
impatently she is such BORE" she added, as she
looked at her companion, with sweet smile.
Marie fingered for moment at the door, and
then, with downcast eyes, and voice tremulous
with emotion, she replied, 81 cannot say so, Mad
emoisele l shall say that you are engaged, but
cannot say that you are not at home"
''Do you disobey me ?" said Dora, rising and
looking imperiously at the maiden, who now stood
looking calmly in her face. "Do you know that
you are only servantT
81 know it, Mademoisele," said Marie modest
ly but firmly, Sand God grant that may ever feel
it. He whom 1 serve tells me not to lie."
Dora looked COMPOUNDED and she felt incensed.
'If you are to regulate procedure of the dwell
ing instead of me, it is time you were in this draw
ing room and in the Kitchen" she exclaimed in
a tone of lofty irony, which, however, fell harm
less on the ear of Marie and made the strangers
bosom heave with something like an ''amen."
He looked from the domestic to her mistress
during this short alteration, and strange unde-
eye seemed to rest familiarity upon Marie's lovely
face. 1t was strange, passing strange, that recol
lections of his mother and of his home, with its
flowers and streams, and green clustering vines
and white butterflies and birds, rose on his tear
filled vision like fond reality, when he gazed
upon the humble servant and long after she was
gone. His heart treasured forever the sensations
of that moment.
Four years had passed from the death of Mad
anne MelcGur, when woman dressed in the hum.
BILE but picturesque costume of the peasants o.
| Auvergne, walked down the streets of Brioude
towards the dwelling of the clergyman of the vii
lage. She stood for few seconds, and gazeC
upon the closed windows and neglected garden o
Madame Melceur; and then wiped away tea
from her eyes, as she continued her course. TIL,
cottage of the minister had undergone chang
since she had last seen it. The vines were trim
med and trained by some careful and tasty hand
and the thatch upon the roof was carefully, an,
even elegantly ornamented with willow twigs an,
flowers. The borders of the little garden wer
free from weeds, and the blossoms shone lik
prismatic stars from the clumps and clusters @
fresh green leaves.
SIS NJ. Rideaux at home, madame ?" said tn
stranger, when an aged dame, with yellow turba
and large spectacles set in tortoise shell cases
opened the door.
an. Rideaux, my dear !" replied the volubl
old DAME turning up her eyes and signing, "ah
hope he is at home but his successor, my maste
is in this house. Be pleased to step in.
> Marie Brioude, for it was she, followed the age
house-keeper into the parlor, library and studio
the young clergyman of the village, who receive
her with smile of sweetest, saddest welcome.
, "Be seated, my friend" he said, pointing to
chair, and at the same time resuming his seat ,
his table. "You seem to have Travelled far ?"
/ F"I have travelled willingly, and so do not fe
that my journey has been toilsome," said Mar
= as she opened the folds Of her cloak that almo
D concealed her face. 81 come to execute the wi
D of my more than mother"