Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-01-14

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need we add, there was in almost no time
a thorough mutual understanding. Mad
emoiselle was Frenchwoman, and, as
such, was not burdened with difidence.
Next evening it was generally known
that Ernest Delavigne and Louise de Re
DOME were afianced, to the great conster-
nation ofall fortune hunters, and the great
Joy Of all those who sympathised with
truthful feeling, and sincere affection
But the salons of Nine de Lastange were
no longer crowded the host of interested
suitors vanished.
DO you know said Louise one even
ing as they were talking Of the future,
that mean 70 make regular patriarch
of you? have determined to introduce
among all my farmers and their neighbors
the latest improvements, and to give them
the benefit of all the agricultural diseoy-
cries of England and France
1t is useless making such attempts,
replied Ernest, gravely; you will but
lose your temper and your time
Monsieur Why you are as bad as
the Fool of Laboudie.'
'Hah 7 said Ernest, turning very pale.
Why continued the merry girl, with
out noticing his uneasiness, you must
know that my castle is close to Laboudie.
My uncle was the Count de Plouvieres.'
'Oh = replied Ernest.
:WeN, there came from a neighboring
town some two years back, a young man
belonging to our place, who had studied
agriculture, and who desired, it appears,
to reform the neighborhood. Instead OF
introducing the change himself, however,
he tried to persuade others to do so told
the ignorant farmers of what they might
do, but did not attempt to demonstrate
his theories. People naturally enough
laughed at his lecturcs-his disquisitions
especially as I am told he had land him
self, and never thought of trying the SEN
sible experiment of showing his neighbors
by practice the advantages he believed,
but did not know to exist. Such well
meaning men are worse than useless
they stand more in the way of real pro-
gress than the most obstinate devotee OF
antiquity; they are mere sentimental, and
not practical reformers. But why SO
gloomy, Ernest? Surely have not Of
Tended you? 1 sec you arc little un
well. Good night. Go home to bed, and
tell your old concierge to make you some
tissane. 1t will soon be my Office TO take
care of Monsieur when he thinks proper
to be ill.,
Ernest took her proffered hand, shook
it even more heartily than usual, and
went away. 1t was early; just before
midnight, and as the other guests were
about to depart, the Jonns of Nine de
Lastange gave a letter to Louise, who
alone, in little boudoir where she had
retired, since none but card players re-
mained, at once opened and read it.
i write not in anger but in deep sor
row. l love you too much to expose you
to life of misery. You have expressed
too much contempt for persons of my
character not to be very unhappy when
you know me better. You will doubtless
find, however, one worthy ofyou. shall
seek, after that severe but just lesson
which / have now received, to win your
esteem now that your love is impossible
Remember me kindly, ifit be only because
have sufficient sense left to save you il
time from everlasting unhappincss. Thi'
night, at eleven, start for home
What have done p cried Louise
Poor Ernest how generous, how noble
how good Poor fellow how those
thoughtless, bitter words must have gone
to his heart. must stop him. But no
he is gone. Well, ! must wait until to-
morrow. What night he will pass tray
cling How cruel he must think me p
And away she hurried TO bed, as if by SC
doing the morrow would sooner come.
Meanwhile Ernest, whose mind had beer
| oil h,rT Iod
studies, went away on his road home
subdued, detected, and yet not wholly
cast down. He saw distinctly the truth
of all that Louise had said he perceived
where his own errors lay, and determined
to profit by the lesson. He arrived Al
home after long journey, calm, serious
and full of strong conviction Of his OWL
former pride which made his present hu
mility all the more pleasing. His motheI
was delighted to see him and when he
declared his intention Of devoting himself
in future to the farm, she was doubly
pleased. He took up his former quarters
and then after days rest, started for
long walk to recruit his body, somewhat
enervated by study and town life. Ht
followed the high road which led to the
Chateau de Plouvieres. along which wa
several farms, and, one or two very ex
tensive ones. He walked along, his eyes
fixed on the ground, in deep meditation.
until he vas suddenly reused by loud
voice.
Halo, there Monsieur Ernest, l wani
to speak with you, said the very old far
mer whom he had first made an attempt
upon nearly two years before.
What is it 9 replied young Delsyigne
raising his head little hsug ghtily. 'wha
can you have to say TO the Fool Of Labou
die p
Sir cried the farmer, as they approa
ched each other; L beg your pardon