New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-01-08
THE STOLEN ROSE.
from warprr's yrm 4Huntbln Maga,inr

THE STOLEN ROSE.
from inarprrs -Srn 9HontbIp Maga,tnr.
Geraldine Delisle was the year previous to
the Revolution, which in one day shattered one
OF the great monarchies Of the earth, the gn-
ing belle in her circle. Lovely in form and
face, she wanted but to correct some trifing de-
tects of character to be perfect. But if she had
large black eyes and massive brow, and beauti-
full hair, and white teeth--if she had lily-white
hands and tiny feet, she knew it too we'll, and
knew the power Of her charms over man. She
loved admiration, and never was SO happy as
| when in ballroom all the men were almost
disputing for the honor of her hand But Geral-
dine had no declared suitor; she never gave the
| slightest encouragement to any one. Many
offered themselves but they were invariably re-
jected, until at twenty her parents began to be
alarmed at the prospect of her never marrying.
NJ and Nine Delisle had found so much genu-
| inc happiness in marriagc-the only natural
state for adult human beings-that they had
promoted the early marriage of two sons and an
elder daughter; and now that Geraldine alone
remained, they earnestly desired to see her well
and happily married before they died. They
received numerous offers; but the young girl
had such winning ways with her parents, that
when she declared that she did not like the pro-
poser, they never had courage to insist.
During the season of 1947 Geraldine never
missed party or ball. SHE never tired as long
as there was music to listen to, and it was gen
orally very near morning before she gained her
home. About the middle of the season she was
sitting by her mothers side in the splendid
salons of the Princess Menzikotf. She had been
dancing. and her late partner was saying few
words. to which she scarcely made any reply.
Her eyes were fixed upon a gentman, who, at
| ter observing her for some time, had turned
away in search Of some one. He was the hand
rl,., I,1 1o,,1 Il
she curious to know who lie was. A little
above the middle height, slight, pale, with great
eyes, soft in repose like those of a woman, he
had ut once interested Geraldine, who. like most
women, could excuse every bad feature in man
save nsipid or unmeaning eyes: and she asked
her mother who he was.
'slles q very bad man. said Nine Delisle
''Of noble family, rich, titled, young. and hand
some, he is celebrated only for his follics H,
throws away thousands on very questionable
pleasures, and has the objectionable fault, il
my eyes, of always rdiculing marriage
&" cannot forgive him for ridiculing marriage
mamma, hut can excuse him for not wishing tt
marry"
, "NIy dear, man who dislkes marriage is
never good man. \ woman may from caprice
or from many motives object to marrying, but
n man, except when under the influence of hope
less atfeetion-and men have rarely feelings
enough for ths-always must be Il husband tc
be good citizen
".Ah, mamma, you have been 50 happy that
you think all must be so; but you see many
who are not
, 'sMme Delisle,'' said the Princess Menzkoff
who unperceived, had come round to her, ''allow
me to introduce you to my friend Alfred de
Rougemont. Imust not call him Count, he being
t; what we call democrat with {, clean face and
+ white kid gloves
1.-The Countess is always satirical,'' replied
T. NJ. de Rougemont smiling; "and my harmless
opposition to the government now in power, and
which she honors with her patronage, is all he1
ground for so terrible an announcement
i Nine Delise and Geraldine both started ant
colored, and when Alfred de Rougement pro
n posed for the next dance. was accepted, though
next minute the mother would gladly have fount
) any excuse to have prevented her daughter from
i dancing. Alfred de ROugcmcnt was the vcr,
= bad man " whom she had the very instan
= before been denouncing. But it was nov
too late. From that evening Geraldine coult
D never 90 to ball without meeting Alfred
,e She received great many invitations fror
.. most unexpected quarters, but as surely as sh
III went she found her new admirer, who invite,
t. her to dance as often as he could without break
ing the rules of etiquette. And yet he rarel
= spoke; the dance once over, he brought her bac
|. to her mothers side, and left her without sayin
word. coming back when his turn came agai
is with clock k-work regularity In their drives
le Nine. Delisle and Geraldine were always sur
ty to meet him. Scarcely was the carriage rolin
y y up the Champs Elysees before he was on horse
r, back and within sight He merely bowed as h
ne passed, ever keeping constantly in sight withou
'h cndeavoring to join them.
One evening, though invited to an early soire
and to late ball, during dinner they change
their mind and decided on going to the Opel
at the very opening, to hear some favorite mus
,e which Geraldine very much admired, The
.ir had not yet risen from dessert when note can
10 to from Alfred de Rougement, offering them Ii
T." nn box, one of the best in the house.
he "Why, he is Il regular Monte-Cristo,'' erie
"s "g Nine Dclise impatiently, g How can he kno
Sd our movements 50 well -
: 'lie must have brihed some one Of the sci
wants. replied Geraldine, '' we talked just no
of where we We're going before they left ii
st ROOM
ro- But what does he mean2" said Nine Delisl
me is he going to give up his cnmity to marriag
o1 ,I% and propose for YOU"
act ss Ilon't know mamma, - exclaimed the daugl
t" ter, coloring very much; s but he may spa
ant himself the trouble
e" sGeraldine-Geralline you will always tn,
t. make me unhappy said mother, shaking h
head.
But you cannot want me to marry Alfred
!. You told me every thing against him yoursel
,e' " But if he is going to marry and be stead
inst | owe him an apology. But go and dress; y
,n,' .t want to hear the overture
la They went to Alfred's box--father. mother II
a ia daughter But though in the house, he scarce
men. came near them. He came in to inquire afi
eie Il their health, claimed Geralline's hand for t
:. opening quadrlle at the soi,ee, to which tn
= were going after the opera, and went away. I
! young girl rather haughtily accepted his of
er- and then turned around to attend to the mu
i IiSs ioi and singing.
The Nayt lay tn tho oStoniShment of both Nj n
l,rr -'N>e ~ Wv =, -
er. Nine DellSle. Alfeu tie hottEeiuellt pfoIoset
! the hand of their daughter, expressing
! warmest admiration for her, and declaring W
No. earnestness that the happiness of his whole
r, Of depended on her decision. Geraldine was refer
life to- She at once refused him, giving no reason,
expressing regret that she could not share his
vO timents. The young man cast one look of repro;
nd. When he was cone she explained to her pare,