Demoine courier., 1854-08-17


ing Of other ,hings than giving away
sous II she saw an old man approach
she ven,ured to implore his aid but age
is bard hearted and miserly. and the old
man would turn away and pass on. The
evening had been chilly, rain began to
fall, i, was growing late, and the night.
waichmen we're going their rounds, when
the young girl. ready to fain, with hun
ger and disappointment. held oat her
hand once more /, was Ia young
man. who stopped and drew from his
pocket a piece Of money. which he
dropped into her hand. as il afraid OF
the contact of SO much misery.
"A policeman. who, no doubt. had
been watching the poor girl, suddenly
appeared, and seizipg her rudely by the
arm, exclamed-'Ah! | have cargb,
you at last; SO you are begging in the
street; to the station. house, old witch !
Tie young man Immediately inisrfered,
taking her part with the greatest " arm,h
he drew within his the arm of the
beggnr. whose hand he had momen.
before feared would soil his gloved fin
gers, cay ing to the policeman as he did
u-''rhe woman is no beggar; you are
mistaken; ! know all abou, her. But.
SIR said the entorcer Of the law agains,
stree, begging, Il saw her hold out her
hand to you, and Il tell YOU said the
young man. steadily. Il know her ard
shall protect her. My good woman
said he, whispering in the ear Of the
young girl. whom he supposed old and
ugly, take this FIVE FRANC PIECE, and
le. me lead ou to the next street, that
you may get away from this fellow, Who
will continue 10 watch you !! The five
frame piece slipped from your band into
mine, and as we passed under lamp.
which, until then, ! had taken care to
avoid. saw your face ~
my facet" exclaimed Frederick.
"Yes. my dear Frederick, your face.
II was YOU who thus preserved my hon
or and my life; you gaee five francs in
charity to Lady Melville, to your future
wife"
.Yoa!'' said Frederick. "you--ycupg.
beautiful and rich--you a beggarr'
Yes said Madame de la Tour,
..once ! was indebted TO charity, once
only. and il was oyou. The morning
succeeding this day of misery. which !
now look upon as The most fortunate one
Of my life, a kind hearted concierge
took pity on me, land she had cause to
bless the hour she did so. and found me
place as seamsiress m the establish
men, of rich nobeman. Ny cheer
fulness and good looks returned with my
ability 10 support myself, and althous b
my unhappy parents were sincerely re
gretsed, time. which acconplishes all
things, gradually soolhed my grief, aud |
fortunately became fayorite with the
respectable housekeepsr.
'.One day, Lord Melville came into
my lille room, as WAS at work, and
seated himself BY my side. He was no,
far from sixty-fve, tall, thin, of severe
expression of conntenance. and his ordl.
nary manner was haughiy, cold and re
served.
".Young woman said he, Il know
the story Of your life; will you marry
me!'
"'Marry you 2 exclaimed. Your
lordship is jesiing.'
81 never JEST said his lordship. Il
ask again. will you marry me! | am
rich. aud am determined my wealth
shall MOI go to unworthy nephews. who
would bury me tomorrow if they could.
am martyr TO the gout, and would
rather be nursed by wife than by mer
cenary servants. II | am to believe
wha. hear in your favor, you possess
elevation Of mind and correc. principles
lit is in your power to become Lady
Melville, and To prove to the world that
you a.e as fitted for admiration 10 pros
peri,y as you have been praise worthy in
struggling with ad.ersi,y.
II loved yon.' continued The bride,
"and, although had seen you ba, for a
moment. could no, banish your image,
and something whispered to me from the
inmost recess of my hear. that our lives
we're TO be passsd together.
"When | looked a, Lord Melville,
and observed attentively his stern, un-
yielding coun,enance. his piercing grey
eyes. aud The determination shown in
carrying out the plan he now medliaied
! wac unwilling to lend my aid in lis ac
complishmen,. IL appeared to me ,ha,
ough, not to encourage this cunning dc.
vice. by which he would dismheri, bis
nephews; and thus. although The noble
Lord did no, receive an immediate fefu
sal YET he saw my hesisancy and aeila
lion. and like mos, persons who NEE
wih unexpected obstacles in accomplish
ing their views, he became more eager
and pressed his sult with unwonted ar
dor. Those with whom lived. and ev'
cry body knew. advised me 10 prof, by
this freak of an English Lord, with mil
lions; part. at least of whose fortune
in the even, Of my doing SO, must soor
become mine. As tor myself, though
of you; my gratitude lent ,housant
graces to your person. ] recalled con
1 tinually the kind tone of your voice, al
though heard bu, FOR an instant Yo,
had never looked in my face. and ye
| was near sacrificing to this dream o
the Imagination MY good fortune and YOU
own; but had taken too severe lessor
- t,, of n life IF nnvevtu an