The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-18

possess sufficient funds at my disposal to prove
of beneficial service to our country? And yet,
even if itwere so, and her guardian consented,
| would never accept themp'
At the appointed time Aubertin presented
himself as the door of his .wife's boudor, the
first glance at which confirmed his previous sus-
picions as to the purport of his visit Lestelle
was not there, but NJ Dumont-the same whom
he had met once before at her guardians
stood bending over very buslness-llke sheet
of parchment.
'Pray be seated, monsieur" said the little
notary: madame Aubertin will be here direct
ly." z...
ClaSde bowed coldly, and took the offered
chair n silence.
"Glorous times, monseur!' said Numont,
rubbing his withered hands together, "glorious
times we live in now! The age Of liberty in
every sense of the wordl'
Claude acquiesced by another bow.
"You have doubtless heard Of the new law
of revolutionary divorce?" continued II. Du-
mont, ga very good-a very excellent law,
monsieur!' ..,
ga very convenient one, 1 should think, -
replied Aubertin, laughing in spite Of himself at
the soemnity with which the old man spoke,
"Claude Aubertin," said the notary after a
pause, Il am man Of few words--a man of
business-and it is well to come to point at
once. Leste]le would avail herself of this op-
portunisg to be divorced from you, and has pur-
posely left us together in order that | might in
forrn you of her wishes, to which she entreats
that you will offer 70 opposition"
"Accursed liar it is fase!' exclaimed the en-
ragged husband, q will never believe it''
"Claude," said gentle voice by his side,
tas hope for your forgiveness hereafter, he
has spoken nothing but the truth! And dnoW for
both our sakes let this scene be a. brief one at
future time all shall be explained if you will
only have the patience to watt
''Lestele!'' exclaimed the bewildered Au-
bertn, 'can it be my Lestelle-or do I dream?
What have done that you should deceive me
thus? Have | loved you less? Have l even
spoke one harsh, one unkind word to you, that
| did not strive the next moment to atone for
and obliterate from memory by my caresscs:
Have ! not for yopy sake Frustrated my proud
spirit and dared the sneers Of the world? Ay
and deserved them-for trusted-I consented
| to be dependant on woman-and now she
scorns, despises, and deserts meH'
"Damont," said Lestelle, looking imploring
| ]y towards him, Il cannot bear this!'
Aubertin had forgotten the presence of the
little notary, out he now looked proudly up
and, recovering his usual calmness, said:
Gone more question, and will sign. Les
telle, Is you hope in heavens mercy, do you
bis deed willingly?"
Il do" said the girl. family.
"And our divorce will ensure your happi
ness?"
"ItwiI!' she replied more firmly.
"Then be it so.' But as the pen tremblet
in his hand, he looked once more upon the flush
ed countenance Of her who was SO soon to be
lost to him forever, and added, in a hoarse voice
edo you remember the last deed we signed il
this man presence?''
'sPerfectly," replied Lestellc; ''and it is tha
recollection, which gives me strength to act a
I am doing.'
Aubertin bent down his head, and hot tea
fell upon the parchment; but there were n
traces of it as he returned the document, wit
a low bow, to the trembling girl.
"You are obeyed mademoisele!' said he
with mockng smile, as he moved rapidly to
wards the door.
The white lips Of Lcstelle moved fast, bu
they uttered no sound; she attempted to rusl
forward and arrest his progress, and her fee
seemed glued to the floor; but M. Dumont I'm
derstood her wishes, and fastened after the of
Tended Aubertin.
"Well, | never could have believed it, so at
tached they seemed to each other!' said young
citizen to his companion De Tours--the same
aristocratic count who but short time before
would scarcely have condescended to breathe
the same air as his pheban friend, but when
proper regard for his own safety had conformee
to the equallsing spirit of the age
II always told you how it would end" sale
De Tours; F'the romance of the young hcires
has had time to cool, and she seeks the first op
portunity that presents itself of becoming free
again?' R
"And poor Aubcrtin, what has become o
him?"
"Why, they say he takes it very much tc
| heart; and no wonder, seeing that her fortune
is scarcely reduced, and Lestele, herself, if pos
sible, is more beautiful than ever.'s
At this moment they were interrupted by tht
entrance of Claude Aubertin himself, with Les
telle leaning on his arm, or rather clinging, ii
her sweet graceful manner, while her brigh
eyes sparkled with a flushed cheek to the whis
pered accents of her husband, on whose counte
nance was smile of triumphant exultaton, min
gled with deep love.
"Whats this?'' inquired De Tours Of per
son who stood near him, and who happened tt
be the little notary, NJ. Dumont; 81 though tha
the Aubertins had availed themselves of Tie
new law, and were dvorced?'
"And so they were, and married again this
morning." said the notary, with knowing twin
kle of his cold grey eyes
Chow strange'' said De Tours thoughtfully
'Not at all; according to the first marriage
settlement, which took place when Lestelle was
a minor, the whole of her property was so tied
up by her guardian that without her permission,
Aubertn had no power to draw single sou of
it, but on her com ing of age she has avaied her
self of our new lay of divorce, in order that the
money may be re-nyessed in her husbands S
name only"
''It was noble deed!' said De Tours; but
Aubertin did not at first know her reasons for
wishing to be separated from him for | met him
late last night in the rue st. Honore, without
his hat, and singing the Marsellaise hymn in a
frenzy of despair and excitement
''The brief trial which his feelings had un-
i 1.l1a ~