Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-02-09
N | S G L L L A N Y /.
4 THRILLIgG STORY.
ANU Ell A..

OR TIE FLOWER GIRL OF lf.tDRID.
Tie happy state of Spain--that land
where ardent feeling mskes every disagree.
7a,ea ssd hfnblit as fsrh-dFove many af
neighboring territory Of France. In Bot
deaux alone, as many as twenty thousana
Spaniards fixed their residence during tile
struggle between the Carlists Christmas ~
The natives aad the Strangers managed on
on the whole, 10 do very we'll together, and
many permanent connections were formed
in consequence Of their being associated III
one place, by the accidents Of fortune and
war.
In 1884. the Countess dc Villa Fuente
came to live in Bordeaux 1t was known
that she came from Madrid, but few or none
seemed to be acquainted with her private
history, or with the causes Of her exile No
one accompanied her with the exception Of
an infant bay, on whom she lavished the
most tender cares, and in reference to whom
the character Of u widow was very generally
assigned to her, despite Of her youth and un
impaired beauty. She appeared rich and
kept up handsome establishment, 50 than
the best soriety Of bordeaux was open tb
her at all times. But though not stunning
company altogether, size Lived oa the whole
an a retired manner, aud the most uncharI
table could attach no nppropriety to her
name. although she was single and Aunpro,
tected woman, aud though more than one
sutton aattefed aroand her aud sought her
graees -
Such was .the state Of .matters during The
first three. years al .lier stay IN Bordeaux =
At the end sof that time, the countess, with
out any kasEn cause, assumed all the out
ward inarks4of' deep mourning, and threw
sber establishment. into the.sanle sablec coll
iears Within asmonth OF two afterwards il
was noticed BY -ob setvant eyes That she seem
led TO distinguish rncrslhanInsualls CERTAIN
SIeDsier. LO1spre, aWsaltty gentleman Of
Bordeaux, who bad pursued herwIth unabal
ted .ardor for three years, ID spite Of all rel
gserveS aud even her csldness The altera+
ton in her manner 10 him was sufficiently
pointed to, lead people to conclude that be
would PROVE The happy man in due time y
But his own thoughts about the matter were
very unsettled, as the following words from
! his lips will partly prove Sailing an .ecea4
sion to press his suit, when the countess all
lowed him the honor of. an interview, he
broke forth at length 10, half reproachful
tones Inesilla. why prolOng this state o.
suspense, SO torturiug to me 2 Unless l de
ceive myself, you favor me above Others
around you yes. you lore me / own
have happy belief What, then, causes hest
tation, since you are widow. and free II
is not SOP If yeu are moved by feeling re-
specting ysur child, you know that love
him, and for your sake viii love him always
The countess, at these words. rose from hel
seat walked to whore her guitar lay and ran
heedIessly over its strings for q few me
ments
She then turned to the little boyfwho wa:
PLAYING near her. aud said to him ! Juaai
10 .Juanito GO and drive your humming
tep elsewhere the noise gives me head
ache The boy came and soughtla earsss
aud then ran sheerfaHy away. After bis de
parture, there was a pause for minute o.
two. which the countess broke inupoa b,
saying Let US talk. Monsieur LoRgpre, OF
q subject different from the last This gui
tar has reminded me Of Spaia-of Madrid -
and Of Masaela, poor girl there. He
StoTy II m iutcfcSbnS Onc- tistcus duu
will tell i to ysu-thatis, II you choose +
hear IL Tbosgh tie lover was BY 20 mean
pleased e us eEasion Of the subject Whicl
ie haA - ssash nt heart, there wasss0 mnel
Of gr.ss swestssss IN the tones With zhiel
the eoantsss nsds the request, tbst be a
ssce expressed his BiIlingnsss t. ksar &.
story
There lived at Madrid, fra ys.rs ~
bsgan the countess, ! q merchant nas1sd Ne
rales, whose fortune was 50 considerable
that his only daughter vas considered on