The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-04-25

Her tale untold-her truth too deeply proved"
byron.
"You here, mon ami! Who would expect to
fn6 you here in such place as this?"
The scene was the cemetery of Pcre la
Chdise; the exclamation occasioned by the
presence of a young man whom encountered
suddenly in shady spot, closely bordering on
the tomb of Abelard and Heloso, had been
standing in a sentimental mood for at least
alf-an-hour Now, there was no doubt he had
as much right in the pretty battle-ground as l.
The pleasant May breeze was as free for him
as for me; the sunshine was common property;
the soft willow leaves had not opened them
selves exclusively for my enjoyment; nor had
the scented violets bloomed for me alone
Nor should have exclaimed thus, had met
him anywhere else in possession of these sweet
spring privileges; but herein Pere la Chaise
that was the wonder! and therefore ex-
claimed
"Who would expect to find you in such
place as this|
He smiled-not the smile that electrified
the audience every evening in the theatre, but
a melancholy smile, tinctured with satire, that
l should share the common prejudice-that
comic actors must be comic fellows.
"Pardon me-, said answering this look
81 am aware l have no right to enquire: but
confess god Of mrth is not often seen wan
dering among the tombsp
"Not often sought thero at any rate" said
D., "But do you think this place sad?,
"On the contrary, to me it is cheerful as the
gayest promenade in Paris. The dead are so
cared for, their taste so minutely consulted,
thoir tombs so prettily decked, and ones tho'ts
are pleasantly sobered down, bat by no means
oppressed as in our English burying- grounds
"Ah! everything is sad in your country
said tho Frenchman, raising his eyebrows pit
eously
"While here,' said, laughing, "only the
comic actors are co.
D passed his arm through mine.
"You shall see why," he said briefly; and
led me along the narrow pathway by which
he had como.
Presently wo stood beside tomb hung with
wreaihes of everlastings, and planted with
choice flowers.
Oa the simple cross, of purest marble, was
written:
''Estelle de B
Aged eighteen years"
The words, "To my daughter" woro also in
scribcd below; and among tho garands were
many in which tho words, "a ma File had
been iutcrwovcn. One evidently placed a
mong the rest bore this motto, "Regre,s ctor-
nal," in black and whito immortelcs.
| stood looking ut this resting place of some
cherished child, who had just budded into wo-
man, to be culed by death, and wondering how
many there was in the circle that once idolized
her; who still brought flowers to her grave,
when D laying his hand lightly upon
my arm, pointed to scat near us. He was IN
one of those moods when the soul, too weak to
bear alono the sorrow that weighs it down,
turns to tho first conner, and finds relief by
the mere utterance of his woe.
"Sit down." ho said; III will tell you her
tac''
"You know herr" asked.
"Or she would not be thcie," he replied
His voico was broken. l did not look at him,
but waited till his emotion had passed away
Presently he cortnued-"A year ago sho was
pure and beautiful as an angel. we met, we
loved, and she is therc!'
"You were faithlcss:" asked reproachfully.
"Faithlcss!' be repeated. mo; men arc
not faithcss to women like Estellc, especially
when thoy stonp from hgh-b born sphere to
love one infinitely below them. Unworthy as
was of her innocent love, returned it with
as sincere passion as my soul is capable of,
How often have those quiet spots Witnessed
our glad meetings: how often has the solemn
shade of cathedral pillars, or the glitter of a
masked ball, concealed our love from those
who watched over her. Enough: she was
mine-mine forever, as fondly thought, but
love had mingled poison with its sweets. Can
angels fall, and forget the heavens they have
lost! Estcles remorse was greater than her
love; the one would have given hor immortali-
ty--the other planted death in her bosom.
"Suddenly lost sight of my beloved. In
vain sought her in her former haUnts; she
no longer visited them; in vain placed letters
in the hands of our coafddnte: she never came
to receive them.
'Fool that was to doubt her! 10 fancy any
thing could shake her faith, or make her false
10 her vows of constancy. Had she not sacri-
feed all for me?-forgotten family and parents,
nay teaven itself?-and yet mistrusted her!
Il ceased my inquiries-I sought to forget
her.
.'One evening was disturbed whilc at din
ner by the announcement of stranger. Ii
was the medical adviser of Estelle's family
He came to tell me that Mdlle. Do B
was dangerously i'll; and in consequence of
mental alteration, as her friends supposed
had been calling on my name, and entreating
that she might see mo once moro before she
died. By the doctors advice and as last re-
source her parents had consented to this strange
request, and now sont to invite me in their
house, hoping the sight of mo would be suffic-
lent to dispel the dying girls delusion. There
was an intelligent look in DR.. LIS face as he
told mo this, which gave me intuitivo conf
dence in him, and convinced me, whom after
ward recalled it, that he had a strong suspicion
Of tho real state Of the case, which was doubt
less confirmed by my overwhelming grief
81 flew to the dwelling of my beloved; ard
tho doctor insisting that only he and should
enter the sick room, scarcely moment elapsed
ere / stood in her presence
"IIer open arms received me, her eyes flash
cd with tho same pleasure as Of yore; but oh!
how nged-Estellc, Estelle."
The unhappy man bent his head and sobbed
aloud.
did not attompt to comfort him; knew
remorsc was mingled with his grief, and that
il was better 60.
Ho went on after awhile
"At seven o clock was compelled to be at |
the theatre to perform IN tho first and last pie
cos IL was within half an hour Of the time.
"She suffered me to go with difficulty"
"'You will como back-will you not? she |
asked, as | held her once more in my arms |
4 shall not sleep till have seen you again.
IL promised, and toro myself away from |