The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-05-03

Toe was most. dreadtul; where France
most needed soldier; there was no "for.
lorn hope" without him. But instead o
meeting death. he distinguished himself by
brave deeds: he was thrifty. economical
man. and SO managed to find in Italy 9
second Mexico; for he had saved some
thing very handsome. On his arrival a.
Lyons, he asked every one who could
know anything Of her. about Pauline, and
was amazed to hear that she had con.
sented to divorce from him from her hus
band, Claude Melnotte. and on that very
/ day she was to authorize the necessary
proceedings of annulling her present it,
legal marriage. and signing contrac
which was to make her Because ants wife
within one week. Not that she was false
to Claude-no. .her heart was still devoted
ly attached to him. bu, she alone could be
the means of saving her father from bank
rnptcy. by procuring large sum to mee
III demands that could only be obtained
by giving her hand to Beauseant. who. or
that condition, would advance the money
As the clock struck one, the hour fol
annulling the contract. Gen. Dumas. ac
companied by Claude Menoue as Colonel
Morier. entered the room in the house o.
Monsieur Deschappelles. where the con.
trac, was TO take place, and where Pauline
in great detection. sat with her parents
On seeing her cousin enter, Pauline i'm
plored him 10 save her.
l''l cannot help YOU" was the reply; 81
am too poor; but hold" continued the
General, you see my friend Morier. Mel.
notte is his most intimate iriend-fough,
III the same fields slept in the same tent
tlave you any message to send TO Mel.
notte? any word to soften this blow?' ~
She approached Melnotte. but with a
stern air he turned away from her. She
spoke to him, and as he heard her voice
old times came Ger him again.
| "Tell Melnotte,'' she said, ''that fol
years | never nourished thought tha
was not his; that on his wandering way
daily and nightly poured forth a mourn
| er's prayer. Tell him that now | would
rather share his lowliest lot-walk by his
side an outcast--work tor him--live upon
| the light of one kind word from him, than
| wear the crown the Bourbon lost"
! Almost maddened with the Joy that these
sweet words produced, Melnotte exclaim
ed in a<mourntul tone: -~
'"You love him thus, and yet deser
him." ~ o
| Say that if his eye,' continued Paul
| inc, ''coud read this heart-its struggles
! its temptations-h love itself would par.
don that aesertion! Look at that poor old
| man-he is my father; he stands upon the
verge Of an abyss-he calls upon his child
| TO save him! Shall 1 shrink from him who
is my father? and when | can save hin
see a parent perish! Tell him this. and
say we shall meet again in heaven"
Here the voice Of Beauseant. who was
| standing at the table on which the papers
were scattered, was heard exclaiming:
1.-The papers are prepared-we only
need your hand and seal" 7" i.a-l8 'a'
''Stay lady" exclaimed Melnotte, with
anxiety, detaining Pauline, '.ohe word
more. Were but your duty with your faith
united. would you still share the lowborn
PEASANTS lot!" '. }---."c,;'' =-:.s.'i-
"Would IT, exclaimed Pauline. "Ah
better death with him love, than al the
pomp. which are but ss the flowers tha
crown the victim.'' ~'@e!' 2 j'''
! She turned to take the contract from the
notary when Melnotte seized it and tore i
into fragments. ''' p
care you mad?" exclaimed Beauseant
"How, sir,' exclaimed Monsieur Des
chappelIes, ''what means this insult!" -
"Peace. old man.'' said Claude, "Fhave
prior claim. Before the face Of mar
and heaven urge it. outbid yon sordit
huckster for your priceless jewel. There
is the sum twice told! blush not to take it
there is no, a coin Of il ,ha, is not hallow
ed in the cause of nations with soldiers
blood" r'' ''.' 20 o., ai3i ID
"'"'rhat voice! exclaimed Pauline breath
less With amazement; "thou art t------'' 80
''Thy husband!" exclaimed Meinotte, a.
Pauline rushed into his arms. '7 ~ y -''''
That was The blessed hour. What swee
and holy tears Pauline wept on the bosom
Of her husband! Monsieur Deschappelle.
was very happy to see his daughters vel
fare. entrusted to one who had so nobly
won both love and honor! And as te
Madame Deschappelles., She had no S,ob
LECTION To Claude Melno,te Tor a son.in
law-ior though she had thought him al
ugly; miserable wretch, when "A gardener.
son.. she observed a ~ondarful improve
ment in him, now oihat he was q Colone
and hero.a sotjssnp Eu'jtisz .'z-si zsata