The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-09-09

| ted on tho young glrl, stli occupied near the
hearth. To the stranger she appeared moth
/ ing els that charming and mysterious vision,
| Who could this young creature be, who so
earnestly and effectively devoted her lime to a
work of charity, when her own attire gave eve-
ry indication of privation and pcnury? Cold as
| the weather was. the bonnet which encircled
| her delicate and beautiful features was of black
| straw: then silk gloves, mended in several pa
cos. served 10 cover her hands, bnt certainly
not 10 guarantee them from the cold. An old
! casbemere, worn to the last extremity, was
thrown over faded gown of dark silk, and her
whole appearance betokcned the absence OF any
warm garment. The young man would un-
doubtedly have been struck by tho extreme be-
auty of her featuses had there been no other
! charm.
Al las, her self-imposcd tosk was over; che
spproached the old man, and STOPPING down to-
warps him nodded her head kindly as sho ut
4 tcren the words i will soon return.'
She then took up n small case which she put
down on her entrance. and saluting the stran-
ger she left the room and descended the mar
row stairs with very rapid step.
| The Young man gazed at her for moment,
and then turned towards the invalid.
i. on the contrary, shall not return, for
leave Paris this evening, but you will soon hear
from me-
He then pressed tho old mans hand kindly
and departed. When ho emerged from the
gateway of the house into the street, though
homeless Of seeing his yonng assistant in the
work of benevolcnce in which he had been en-
gaocd he could not avoid looking around. as if
! 5y chance she WIS still in sight. AS chance
would have it, she was standing as If undeei-
ded. al the door of jewelers. shop at some dis
! lance At last she appeared TO have formed
4 her determination, Tor she opened tho door and
| entered. Without anayzing the cause of his
/ curiosity. the Stranger approached the window
: of the shop and observed what was passing in
| side. He saw the young girl take her glove;
I and whilst he was admirlng the dazzNDg
whteness and aristocratic form OF the hand,
she DREW with some emotion ring from her
! fnger, and presented IL TO the person at tho
counter. He took it, examined It carefully,
rnbbed and tested the stone. and then method
ically took out q small pair cf scales, and hae
iny ascertained the weight offered his customer
a price, which il was easy 10 see she accepted,
from tie movement of assent with which she
bent her her head The jeweler opened
drawer and counted somo money which he
p,Ishcd over the counter; and having written
down in his book her name and address, he cast
the ling into another drawer amongst heap
of Jewels of all forms and eolors. The young
girl then departed. and in minute Afterwards,
the man entered tho shop
Ina short time Afterwards she turned into
plain looking house,, and entering the door of
room, she cried, Hero ! am dear mother -
You must have been uneasy at my long alb
senco.
Madame Bcvial. tho person to whom these
words were addressed. appeared inirm, though
moro from trouble Than years. She was stretch
ed upon sofa, and appeared in delicate health.
Her features assumed an appearance of aninia-
ton when her daughter entered, and then op-
peared more sombrc than before.
Dear Anna, she said, Il haze an unpleasant
niece of news to acquaint you with; II was this
perhaps, that made me rather fear your return
than note your long absence
Anna, having cast on chair her shawl and
bonnet, Immediately seated herself on low
stool near tho end of tho sofa which supported
her mothers head. The latter passed her
hand affcctionately over the dark hair OF her
daughter. and then continued
You know that your father had promised
your hand to the son of Mr. Barsac. of Bordeaux,
his oldest friend. Tho death of your father.
tho Enlightened illness which has so much re-
duccd mo. had rot overcome my courage as
long as could live in the hope OF soeing you
ono day. fich and happy under the protection
of worthy husband. This very morning the
| Il
! YOU, fell to tho ground. This letter. addressed
to our old habitation ought to have como to
hand Yesterday Here. read it YOURSELF
Anna took the letter which her mother held
out to her. and looking at the signature remar-i
kcds 1T is from NJ Jules Barsac hmself'-
She read the following contents aloud:
.Madam-As long as fortune smiled on me,
I lhobght with delight on the alliance which
! NJ. Bevial and my father had contracted for me,
but the late failure of the firm of Danderlios &
/ Co. has drawn on ours: and as q man of honor
/ deem myself bound to restore you your prom
ise. If your daughter ana myself were ac-
u,;9inted, and if mutual affection had been the
basis Of tho projected union, would have bent
! my knee before you, madame, and prayed you
! to wait until had repaired our disasters--but
| have the right TO call on another to partake
/ in my poverty, and to Join in my labors! Do
| even know what timo il may take to acquire
J fortune worthy of that which you have lost!--
| He that is above cnly can tell, Your daughter,
baought up undcr your protecting care. is, as
! am informed. both umiable anu lovely. Who
is there, thcn, who will not be proud and hap
! pyto givo her an honorable name, aud posi-
ton in society equal TO that in which she was
borhi AS TO mo. have nothing left, and un-
willingly am | forced to renounce the favor
designed for mo. You will pardon me, Mad
anne, for leaving Paris without paying my re-
sppcts to you-but should fear. after having
seen your daughter, to carry with me a keen
regret which might trouble tho calm of an ex-
| isteneo which is now coosecrated to labor.
| Farewell, then, Madame, and believe me to
be ponotrstod with overy sentiment Of respect
/ for you. and to remain
Your most humble
and obedient servant, rm
oah ~ W aaH J. BARSAC.
The young girl paused moment after read
ing the note and then raising her eyes to meet
hor mothers, che remarked ss she placed !, on
| a work table. r frn
4 roally ,hink tha, W. Bar,se writos With