The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-02-09
SELECT TALE.
FALSE C0ONNB;;'
FEMALE INTEGRITY

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Madame De Mercy, one Of the mos
charming ladies of Paris, was left wild
ow at the age of twenty years. She wa
an orphan and without cent of fortune
when at the age of seventeen years, sh
married NJ De Mercy, very gallant per
sonage who was possessed of fine po
sition in the world, and a rental Of
hundred thousand pounds sterling. NJ
D. Mercy loved dearly his wife jealous
.iy loved her, and when attacked by tn,
malady which carried him off to hi
tomb he experienced a regret at thu
thought that he would withoutdoubt have
a successor; that another would inheri
his conjugal felicity, and that his widow
would in her second marriage forget him
lie made will, by which he bequeath
ed to his wife the usufruct of his property
The capital was to be divided among the
nearest relations upon the death of Mad
am De Nercy-or in the event of her re-
marriage.
Thus Madam De Mercy, upon becom
ing widow, had rental of an hundred
thousand pounds sterling; butto preserve
this magnificent revenue, she was moi
again to marry.
The nearest relatives of the deceased
that is, those who, upon the condition
prescribed in his testament, weiv TO di.
vide the capital were the Count and
Countess of Valnay, and their cousin M
Hector J. Valnay, who held minor di.
plomatic office.
For them, too, the medal had most
unfortunate side. Two millions suspen-
ded over their heads, renewed for them
the punishment of Tantanlus. To await
the death of the widow before they could
touch the capital was to give up all hopes
of its enjoyment.
The marriage of the widow was the on
ly chance of the Count, the Countess
and the cousin.
Hencefoeward all their efforts were d.
rected to the attainment of this purpose.
for every year of its delay caused them
the loss of an hundred thousand pounds.
The plo was perfectly laid, and the
sojourn in the country could but favor
the project. At Paris, the amusements
afford sufficient distraction to leave the
heart at peace. But in the country every
thing invites to sentimentality.
Scarce had the young widow been set
tied at the Chateau, ere numerous visi
tors began to arrive. The scheming
Count and Countess had skillfully chosen
their company of ladies of a respectable
age, and select set of spiritual, amiable,
and facnating young bachelors. All
those splendid cavaliers must certainly
offer their homages to Madam De Ner-
cy, and it was hoped that at least enc Of
them would find the way to her heart
Blu, the first campaign produced no re-
suit.
The Valnays were not discouraged, but
redoubed their efforts to attain their end,
i hey spent only four of the winter months
in Paris, and their society was not that
of Madam De Mercy. She seldom went
into society. The affectionate relatives,
at distance watched her movements,
and they learned with lively satisfaction
that Il young man was very asslduous in
paying his attentions to the widow, and
that she appeared to receive them favora-
bic.
Her heart is won, thought they-nat-
urally it should so end, and her virtue is
a guarantee to us of what result must
be.
They were deceived. One fine day
Madam De Mercy called upon them and
said
IF l re-marry l am ruined if | do
not you will have nothing of the inherit
ance of M De Mercy; let us enter an
agreem'nt which will lreconclle all interests.
Letus divide the differences. Twill at once
abandon to you half of my fortune if you
will leave to me the other with my liber'
ty. Impossible replied the Count i
must respect the last will of my respected
Cousin. hold but little to the inherit
ance would prefer to see you continue,
as he desired, to bear his name
Madam De Mercy argued in vain.-
The hypocritically concealed avarice of
her very affectionate parents disgusted
her. She had easily during the preceding