Demoine courier., 1854-08-17
THE FIvE-FRANC PIECE.
A FRENCH STORY.

II was past midnight. and the bride had
been long in her bridal chamber, when
the bridegroom escaped from his friends,
and found his way to private staircase,
where confidential maid awaited his
coming. in corridor near the door which
was open for him alone.
"Go in," said Dorine. in low whis-
per; ''my lady is waiting for you"
The husband OF an hour tapped a. the
door, opened il. and threw himself a, the
feet of a young and beautiful woman.
She was seated before cheerful fire. in
The elegant undress Of rich widow. 10
whom a second marriage had given rise
to new hopes and fears.
IL beg you will rise," said she. giving
him her hand.
mo. no, my dear madam" said the
young man. grasping firmly her extended
hand. and carrying il to his lips-"no,
let me remain a; your feet, and do not.
do no. Withdraw this little hand. for
fear you will vanish and leave me; /
fear i, is all dream; it appears to me
| am the hero of fairy tale, such as
remember in my childhood. and that a,
the moment Of possessing all in the
world wish to possess. the decei,ful fai-
ry will fly away with my happiness to
laugh with her companions al my regre,
and despair"
"Banish 3 our fears. my dear Frederick;
yesterday was the widow of Lord Nj IL.
vile, to. day am Madame de la Tour.
your wife; dismiss from your imagina.
lion this fairy image OF your childhood,
for there is no fairy tale to relate but a
true story"
Frederick de la Tour had every rea.
son 10 believe that supernatural being
had taken his fortune into keeping; for,
during the last month. either bv accident,
chance, or destiny, an inexplicabe sue
cess had made him rich and happy be
yond his most sanguine wishes. He
was Young, not more than twenty FIVE.
alone in the world. and living with the
most self denying and rigid economy.
when, one day. as he was walking in the
street Of ST. Horore, splendit equip
page was suddenly drawn up opposite
to him. and lovely woman. leaning out
Of the coach window. and seemingly
much agi,ased, called out to him
"Mr. -. Mr.. -."
He stopped.
The foo,man descended from his sta.
.ion, opened the coor, lei down the steps,
and with his plumed hat in hand,
respectfully invited the astonished Fred.
sxick TO enter the carriage. He did so,
thus, 40 il by msgic, beheld himself
seated by woman both young and
beautiful, and dressed with great elegance
aad richness. He had hardly time 70
look around him, before The horses were
again At iull speed.
my dear sir" said the lady who was
thus running away with him. and in the
sweetest tone Of voice imaginable, 81
have received your noie. but notwith.
! standing your refusal. l hope shall see
yoa again at my lille soiree tomorrow
evening"
"Me! Madame p said Frederick.
"Yes. you, sir! Oh l beg ,hon-
sand pardons; ] hope you will forgive
me the mistake | have msde." said the
lady, with an appearance Of much sur
prise. "but you resemble 40 perfectly one
Of my most intimate friends, that ] mis-
took you for him Oh! excuse me, sir
what must you think Of me! Bu, ,hs
likeness 10 SO slriking-is would have
deceived asy person"
By the time this explanation was a
an end. the equippage entered The court
yard Of splendid mansion. and Frede
rick could do no less than hand Lady
Melville from the carriage.
Now, my Lady Melville. as we have
said before. was beautiful. and did not a
all resemble those sallow visseed heavy
stepping, immense English women. who
when they smile, open afec,ediy .heil
pale lips, and show YOU Two rows o
frighsfally yellow teeth. No. she was
French woman; her lustfous black hal
con,rasted well with her brilliant com
plexion. and her corallips. a. she smiles
swee,ly. permitted an occasional glimps
Of The whisest teeth in the world.
Frederick de Ia Tour. dazzIed, as vel
he might be, by 90 many charms, had NJ
difficulty in believing that Lady Melvill
had mistaken him for some less happ.
mortal, and he thanked his stars for il. q
1.-The error enablsd him to become favora
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