Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-02-25
"A THRILLING STORY.
NJ AN U Ella;
Or, the FloWer-Girl of Madrid.

!
sonal or political, assume an aggravated an
lmblt:ered form-droye many OF the inhab
tants, some years ago, to the neiehborng terri
tory OF France. In Bordeaux, alone, AS man
as twenty thousand Spaniards fixed their resi-
dence during the struggles between the Car
lists and Christinos. The natives and the stran
gers managed, on the whole, to do very well to
gether, and many permanent connections wer
formed in consequence of their being associate,
in one place, by the accidents of fortune AM
war.
lu 1884, the countess de Villa Fuente cam
to hive in Bordeaux 1t was known that sh
came from Madrid, but few or none seemed t,
be acquainted with her private history, or will
the causes of her exile No one accompanied
her with the exception of an infant boy, OF
whom she lavished the most tender care, and il
reference to whom the character of a widow
was generally assigned to her, despite of he
youth and unimpaired beauty. She appeared
rich and kept upa handsome establishment, sc
that the best society of Bordeaux was open te
her at all times. But though not stunning
company altogether, she lived, on the whole, iI
retired manner, and the most uncharitable
could attach no improperly to her name al
though she was single and unprotected wo-
around her and sought her good graces.
Such was the state of matters during the first
, three years of her stay in Bordeaux. At the
end OF that time, the countess, without any
known cause, assumed all the outward marks
OF deep mourning, and threw her establishment
. into the same sable colors. Within month or
two afterwards, il was noticed by observant
eyes that she seemed to distinguish more than
usually certain Monsieur Longpre, wealthy
gentleman of Bordeaux, who had pursued her
with nnabated ardor for three years. in spite of
all her reserve, and even her GOODNESS. The
alteration in her manner TO him was sufficiently
pointed to lead people to conclude that he
would prove the happy man in due time. But
MS own thoughts about the matter were very
unsettled, as the following words from his lips
Will partly prove. Selling an occasion to press
his SUIT, when the countess allowed him the
honor OF an interview, he broke forth, at length,
IN half reproachful tones-"Inseila, why pro-
long this state of suspense, so torturing to me?
Unless | deceive myself, you favor me above
others around you; yes, you love me! own
have this happy belief: What then, causes
your hesitation, since you are widow, and
tree! Is it not SO! If you are moved by any
feelings respecting your child, you know that
love him, and, for your sake, will love him
always
The countess at these words, rose from her
seat, walked to where her guitar lay. and ran
edessly over its strings for few moments.
Then turned to the little boy who was playing
near her, and said to him:-"Juanito. Juanto!
go ard drive your humming top elsewhere; the
noise gives me a headache" The bov came
and sought caress and then ran cheerfuly
away. o After his departure, there was pause
fora minute or two, which the countess broke
in upon by saying: "Let US talk, Monsieur
Longpre, on subject different from the last
This guitar has reminded me of Spail-of Ma
drId-and of Manuela, poor girl there. - Her
story is an interesting one, listen will tell it to
yon--that is, if you choose to hear it." Though
the lover was by no means pleased at this eva
sion Of the subject which he had so much at
heart, there was so much of grave sweetness in
the tones with which the countess made the re-
quest that he at once expressed his willingness
to hear the story.
"There lived at Madrid, five years ago." be.
gan the countess, "a merchant named Morales,
whose fortune was so considerable, that his
only daughter was considered one Of the best
matches in the city. Dolores, as she was call.
ed, joined to her pecnniary advantages, a coun.
!enance and form which the young men of Ma.
1rid declared to be of superior beauty. A ca
7alier, the flower Of the noble youths OF Spain, !
saw and loved her. will spare, my friend, an |
recount Of all the concerts and serenades by |
which Dnn Miguel sought to excite recipro-
al passion in the heart of Dolores. Young.
loble, accomplished and rich, he soon made the |
lesired impression, and no obstacles being in
exposed, he was received in the house of Mora.
es as an accepted suitor. Like others of her
ace and sex, Dolores was jealous of possessing
owe, where she gave love; and again. and again
0 please her, Don Miguel vowed that the
aughter of Morales was the only woman who
ad ever touched his heart, and that she should
e bis last love, as she was his first. The mar.
age day of the happy pair was fixed; it came,
nd before the priest and her friends, Dolores
ave her hand to Don Miguel.
"A ball followed in the evening. 1t was vet
arly, when Dolores, overpowered by the
'armth of the dancing rooms, and agitated by
,e all-important event of the day, retired for
w minutes with some Of her female friends, in
rder to rest herself and calm her spirits. She
as still seated in her chamber with her com>d
anions, whensa footstep was heard at the door ,
her apartment. "You cannot enter-do not
,ter Don Migueln' cried one of the two ladies', {
arting from the easy posture into which, fa.
gued by the dance they had thrown them.
Ives. They conceived that DON Miguel had
Used Dolores from the dance, and had come T
inquire after her. But when in spite oftheir t
the door of the chamber was t
,ened, they beheld-not Don Miguel, but Ma. a
'ela, the fower-girl.
"Manuel, the dower.girl, was so remarkable a
r her beauty and handsome figure, that few
en- who were in the habit Of walking on the t
ode were not acquainted with her by name
d appearance. But when she entered the b
amber ofDolores on the marriage evening of Q
e latter, very unlike her usual aspect was
at presented by the flower girl. Her long