Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-01-16

though he endeavored to persuade Beau
SAINT to release him from it, it was all in
vain. The consent of Madame Deschap-
pelles was easily gained indeed, it ra'
ther anticipated the formal request, fol
she was completely taken with the title
and the style of the Prince of Como, who
she pronounced to be the most accom-
plished person she had ever known.
There was an honest, rough old gentle
man, cousin of the family, a colonel in
the French army, resident at this time in
the family man who had a supreme
contempt for princes and all dignitaries,
other than those the army recognized and
created. He was led by some slight cir
cumstance to believe that the Prince of
Como was humbug, or rather that he
was no prince at all; and in course of
some conversation with Claude, in which
the latter outwitted him, he became SO
enraged that he challenged him to fight.
Claude at first refused, but being pressed,
he at length took the proffered sword pro-
duced by Colonel Damas, and after a
short contest, disarmed him but sparing
his person, he returned him his sword
This gentleman!y act on the part of Claude
was seed which took root, in the Colo
nel's heart and bore fruit in after time to
Claude, of deep and honest friendship.
Melnotte, in the practice Of his charac-
ter as a prince, scattered the wealth that
Beauseant had placed at his command,
with lavish hand. secretly enjoying the
irritation that it caused those whose tool
lie now felt he was. In vain did he beseech
Beauseant and CLAWS to release him
from his oath. Having now enjoyed the
society of Pauline, her confidence and af-
fections, he loved her more dearly than
ever, and would rather make almost any
sacrifice than 10 deceive her into au alii-
ance, which would, perhaps, break her
heart, and at any rate render him hateful
in her eyes ever after. But at each turn
and pass there stared him in his face his
dreadful oath-there was no reprieve
In his converse with Pauline, Claude,
although he was obliged to support an
aristocratic character, yet endeavored to
inculcate the principles he would have her
governed by, were he in his own station
and thus without her realizing it, there
were placed in her heart, the germs Of an
honorable regard for merit, be it found in
what class it might. He taught her the
folly of being persioner on the dead,
and that.braVe deeds were tho ancestors
of brave men. Yet all the while was he
deceiying the beautiful girl. who had
learned to love him with passion near
akin 10 actual devotion. Ever and anon
as he held converse with her, and listened
to her devoted language. his conscience
would smito him almost beyond endu-
rance.
AT length, by we'll arranged plan OF
Beauseant's it was determined that it
should be made to appear that the prince
was in danger Of being arrested by the dl-
reclory, and that he must depart imme~
diatcly, thus compelling Pauline to mar
ry him at once. or lose him, perhaps, for
ever. This scheme, SO cunningly devil
scd, was successful, and the great haste
necessary was the excuse for an immedi-
ate wedding, without the customary set
Elements and other ceremonies, those
things being left for an adjustment. The
arrangements were SO made that the We
hicle which bore the prince and his bride
from Lyons, should pass through the vii
lage Of Claude's nativity, and Rt the door
of the Golden Lion it WAS to break down,
and there end all his greatness. Pauline
was then to be conducted, as though
merely for shelter, to his mothers cot,
hard by, and then all was to be explained
to her, and she to know that she had
married a peasant.
The plan was put in execution, and al
nightGall Of the day on which they were
married, Claude and Pauline were seen
walking along the path from the Golden
Lion to the Widow Melnotte's cottage,
the pretended accident having occurred
Claude suggested that they should
seek a private roof for shelter, rather
than the tavern, and also that he knew
of an honest one near by, where they
might rest in safety. They passed the
little path towards the cottage, and soon
entered under its lowly roof. The mos
ther rushes to clasp her son in her arms,
who has necessarily been long absent from
her she calls him by name, and presses
him to heart strange thought enters
the head Of Pauline.
"Does the old woman know thee,
prince 0. see you have done her some
kindness-another evidence of thy good
hearts, it not SO %
"Would that the earth might swallow
me-" said the guilty. half-distracted
Claude.
Madame said the widow MeInotte
to Pauline, II fear it is you who know
him not"
The truth broke upon Pauline. and she
was driven. in her brOken>hearted pas.
sion, almost to madness. She could hard
ly believe it was not all dream, anc
begged of Claude to undeceive her, to say
it was but trick to try her, a jest, any
thing but no !! it was truth, stern reality
and Pauline Deschapelles was the wife Of
seJ!
There stood Glaude-no less miserabl,