True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-01

and Lucille were married and very
happy, prosperoS Slnenage that at Numero
13, Rue des CapAhins, proved for u con-
siderable time adversely had greatly i'm
proved Madame Verdot, than whom a
more kind, prudent, notable, industrious
wife, could scarcely be. She was soon
able to manage the business, and guide the
house much better than her husband could
pretend to do, and every body said Paul
had obtained aljewel Of partner. He
thought so himself; the brightest and
most precious in the world-but for one
flaw there, which, in his eyes, gradually
overgrew and dimmed its radiance. Lu-
ellie was, he felt, dissembler, in one i'm
portant particular at least; the child whom
she kept in such rigorous seclusion, always
appearing restless and agitated if even he
addressed few words to her! What hon
est cause could there be for that? His
grand-mother's warning of the deceptive
impenetrable character of the Borlase FAM
lily, constantly securred to his mind in
spite of himself. Then the child, who ap-
f peared to be about six years of age, did not
in the slightest degree resemble either of
her reputed parents. They had both olive
compilations, and dark hair and eyes,
r whilst the young Lucille was beautiful
blonde, with finely chiselled patrician fea-
tures-Iike,' Paul would sometimes MUIR
muir, like the naughty impress of himself
with which proud aristocrat might stamp
with shame an honest family. Worse than
all, it came to Paul's knowledge that his
wife had received several letters through q
! private channel, with respect to which she
!, would only "A 8en y, questioned, say they
: came from relative Of a daughters, and
did not in the slightest degree concern any
: one else, certainly not her husband. All
this had an evil effect upon Paul Vordots
$ habits. He began to frequent much more
than he ought to have done, wine-shor
near the Pont Neuf, kept by one Bontemps,
and this led, of course, to fresh alterca-
tions with his wife. One morning, after a
late breakfast, during which he had listen
ed in moody silence to his wife's earnest
remonstrances upon his growing habits Of
: intemperance, he raised his pale, almost
haggard face, from the hands in which it
had been buried, and looking at her with
something of sad sternness, said Lucille,
when we were married, I gave you every
thing; | do not mean alone my worldly
substance-though that was considerable,
y and has been ever since, as you know,
more yours than mine. [ gave all; my
! heart, my confidence, my every thought
was and is open and plain to you. You
cannot say the same, Lucille; and yet
, must know it is the weight of the accurscd
p secret you so jealousy guard, that is sink
ing in me the abyss Of low vice, which I
, abhor as much as you do
What accused secret? Surely -
G The childp cried Paul, starting to his
V feet, and addressing his wife with passion
A ate and imploring voice and gesture >
Tell me in what way it is connected with
you-who the mysterious correspondent of
yours is; let me know the worst, if worse
there be I will bear anything for your
: sake, beloved Lucille-even shame-if
7 you will but be frank and candid with your
husband
Shame! repeated the wife, rallying
with the sting of the word. "IIow dare
you address such word to me? | will
, tell you nothing
: Then I am a lost mani exclaimed
= Paul; and seizing his hat he rushed out
, of the house, and in a few minutes was
seated in the wine-shop. He was still
there when evening fell--very early-for
the month was January, and the weather
unusually dark and cold-and had been
drinking freely all day, when message
arrived from Madame Verdot, who wished
to speak with him without delay. Paul
: rose silently and followed the messenger
homo. The establishment he found was
closed, the work-people dismissed, and his
wife dressed as if going out. She was
very pale, and seemingly excited, but her
manner was unusually kind and caressing
Paul she said, laying her hand on his
arm as he fell into chair, Il am going
out and the child a facre is waiting
for us at the back gate, and l shall not
probably return for several hours The
husband made no reply, and she went on :
4 have given Jeannett leave to go home,