The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-10-26

crimson flush passed over the cheek
and brow of Claude Aubertin. and there
was moments pause, during which the
keen glance of the old man, the cold scru-
tiny OF the notary, and the pleading eyes
OF the anxious girl were fixed eagerly up.
on his face. The struggle, however, was
but of short duration: and with cheerful
smile upon his face. he held out his hand
for the paper, and. glancing rapidly over
its contents, instantly affixed his name.
''It is wel," said NJ. Fradel. .'Now
Mademoiselle."
The hand of the young girl trembled so
violently that Aubertin was obliged to
guide it; and when the signature was at
length completed. she flung herself upon
his bosom and wept long and passiona,ely.
Even the notary was moved into something
like sympathy; and, gathering up his pa
pers, he fastened to follow hispatron from
the room, and leave the lovers at full lib
erty to give vent to their feelings; but re-
gard for the timid and weeping girl. who
subdued the offended pride OF Claude
Aubertin, and he had little difficulty in
soothing her fears and winning back the
sunshine OF her happy smiles.
A few days after this they were married.
and the. three succeeding years, which
glided past happily with them, were mark
ed in characters of blood in their coun-
try's annals. Now i. was that the. lima ate
nobility Of the mind asserted its superiori.
ty over the mere hereditary nobility of
name and station-that the barriers of
rank and aristocracy were beaten down
and men owed no limits to their own wild
wills. Claude Aubertin was a revolution
list in the best sense of the word-his
proud spirit had been stung by the world
ly scorn Of those whom he inwardly des-
pissed, but not for this did he turn upon his
oppressors-not for any feeling save the
pure and holy love OF liberty; and when
that name became prostitnted to the very
worst of purposes-when it was made the
watchword TO crime and bloodshed-he
yet clung to it as in his first hour of youth
iul enthusiasm, and trusted everything to
its power when the first intoxication should
haye passed away, and be succeeded by
an age of reason and ration ality.
Losteile loved her husband too we'll moi
to have imbibed his principles, and the
costly saloons of la belle Cheyenne. as she
was called were nightly thronged with the
leading political characters OF the times.
But Lestelle was no longer girl, laughing
from the overfowing OF gladstone spirit.
Her smiles were less frequent, and had OF:
ten a purpose 10 answer. which those who
looked upon her fair and bright face, new
er dreamed of. There was many proud
aristocrat, who. although he knew it not.
owed life and fortune to that beautiful and
resis,less pleader. 2 :
The only cloud that rested on the hap
piness of Lestelle, was occasioned by the
scrupulous reserve of Aubertin on all af
fairs. connected with her property; nor
could. her iondness and devotion remove
the unpleasant feeling which conscious
ness Of his total dependence upon lis vile vic,
was like to engender IN his proud and sem
silive spirit and although she tried to OBJ
via,e the difficulty by liberali'y that pain
ed far more than it pleased him, still there
were moments when he bitterly felt the
want of funds which could only be drawn
through her instrumentality. aud which he
would have died rather than ask for.
OF late it had been observed that Les
,elle was much altered; that she would sit
for hours in an attitude of deep thought,
and was peevish and distracted when
reused, as il the plans which she was evil
denlly arranging in her own mind required
the concentration of every thought. She
would be absent, too, for hours together.
no one knew where, accompanied only
by her attendant-she, the gentle and
tmid, who but few months before had
feared to venture from home without lie
protection Of her husband. But Aubertin
although he felt the alteration; asked no
question, he had too much faith in her af-
lection, too much faith in her fidelity TO
have the remotest idea OF the shock that
awaited him.
One morning, contrary to her usual Gus
tom, Lestelle took her breakfast in her own
apartment, sending message by !, her
maid requesting the presence of her hus-
band at twelve exactly in her boudoir; and
Aubertin not being able at the moment to
Invent any decent excuse for refusing TO
comply with her request, reluctantly prom.
ised TO attend her at the hour appointed,
determined that the meeting should be as
brief as possible, as he imagined that il
merely related to matters of pecuniary
nature. subject Of which he always en-
ltertained a nervous horror.
sis it possible" thought Claude. '.tha,
she can have generously anticipated my
wish to possess sufficient funds at my dis.
posal to prove of beneficial service to our
countrya And yet, even if it were so. and
her guardian consented, | would never
accept them
At the appointed time Aubertin present.
ed himself at his wife's boudoir, the frs
glance at which confirmed his previous
suspicious as to the purpose of his visit
Lestelle was moi there, but NJ. Dumont-
the same whom he had met once before a
her guardian n's-stood bending over very
business-like sheet Of parchment.
"Pray. be seated, monsieur" said the
little notary; MADAME Aubertin will bs
here directly"
Claude bowed coldly, and took the OF
fered chair liz silence.
"Glorious times, Monsieur!" said Du
mont, rubbing his withered hands together
/ 'glorious times we live in now! The ag'