The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-01-26
5, SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 2e 1856

OPELOUsAS, SATURDAY M
that You are not his wife, but you have been
the wife Of his own BOSOM The contract may
Be annulled, and no stain may rest on you.
But a stain may rest upon another. Can you,
will you, throw the blot Of illigitimacy upon
one even more innocent than yourself?"
The appeal was understood, and it was not
in vain. The trembling Aurora exclaimed:
"No!no!" and the tears fell fast as she
spoke.
The marriage was not annulled. But while
the contract (which l had signed with my own
name, believed by them to be the family name
OF the Marquis de Rouperon) was declared
valid, it was also determined that Aurora
should remain unmolested by the advcnturer
who had SO far deceived her, and every legal
precaution was taken that l should have no
control over her or her affairs. 4
After this event did not remain long in
Lyons, where I had heard my name branded
every where with infamy. Master, by means
have related, of q considerable sum, went
to Paris, where l assumed q foreign name. ]
entered into business, and more to drown re
membrance than for any other cause, pursued
1t with an ardor which few have evinced under
like circumstances. The widest speculations
were those that attracted me most, and fortune
favored me in most remarkable way. be-
came the head Of fourishing commercial
house; and ere five years passed away had
amassed considerable wealth. At times, how
ever, the remembrance Of my wife threw me
into fits Of anguish and despair. dared not
think, nevertheless, of attempting to go near
her, until it CHANGED that had it in my power
materially to serve a banker in Lyons, who
pressed me much to pay him visit. After
much uncasiness and anxiety, resolved to &C
cept the invitation. Once more l entered
Lyons and on this occasion with an equipage
that was not borrowed, though as handsome as
my former one. My friend, the banker, on be-
ing questioned, told me that Aurora still lived
in the convent, and was admired for her re-
served propriety Of conduct and for her unre-
mitting attention to her child, her boy but he
told me that her father had just died, leaving
her almost dependent upon the charity Of the
abbess. The recital excited in me the most
lively emotions. took an opportunity, soon
afterwards, of visiting one of the engrayers, who
scarcely knew me, SO changed was I, but who
received me warmly. l requested him to as
semble the creditors of the father of Aurora,
and to pay his debts giving him funds to do
so. told him to purchase some pieces of fur
niture, which I knew to be priced by Aurora.
Every hour Of my stay at Lyons strength
eued my desire to see my wife, and, at last, to
fold my boy in my arms. The feelings became
at last irresistible, and revealed myself to the
banker, heseeching him to find some way to
take me to the convent. His astonishment to
find in me the poor, much spoken OF bellows
monder, was beyond description. Happily,
acquainted with tie abhess, he assured me it
was easy for me at least to obtain sight of my
wife. Ere an hour passed away, my friend
had taken me there | was introduced as g
Partisan merchant, and bched with inetfabls
emotion my wife seated in the convent parlor
with lovely child asleep on her knee, in con
versation with her venerable friend. Aurora, mo-
twcnty-three years of age, seemed to me more
lovely than ever. | had purposcy wrapped
myself up closely, and she knew NE not, though
I perceived an involuntary start when she frs
saw me, as if my presence reminded her of scm'
familiar object. | could not speak my frent
maintained all the conversation. But the bo,
awoke. He saw strangers present, and de
scended from lis mothers knee. Locking a
ward to me- Oh what were my feelings whel
the Innocent kisses of my child An emotion
arose in me, which ! had no power to subdue
I and rising hastily l threw myself with m
child in my arms, at the feet Of my pale an
| trembling wife.
"Aurora Aurora!" I exclaimed in broke
accents. "your child claims from you iather
q pardon! rardon!"
, The child clasped her knees and seemed t
, plead with me- Aurora seemed ready to faln1
! Her lips quivercd, and her eyes were fixed, a
if in stnpor, upon me-; a flow of tears came t
f her relief. and she answered my appeal b
i throwing herself into my arms.
AZ know not" she sobbed, whether 20
, again deceive me but your child pleads to
; powerfully. Aurora is yours"
: This event closes my history.
/. found Aurora much improved by adversit..
0 and have tasted degree of happiness with he
+ such as no pcnitcnce for past offences cou
9 ever make ME deserving Of Only one incidel
4 in my history, after my reconciliation wit
Y Aurora, seems worthy of attention. toe
i my son and her with me to Paris; but at Il
b same time, seeing it to be my wifes wis
bought small country house for her ne'
n Lyons. Sometimes we spend a few wee
e there. and on one occasion she invited me
q 60 down with her to be present at tete, +
f which she had made preparation. Who we
d our guests? The ten engravers, who were Z
a cause Of all that had passed 1t was indeed
}. day of pride to me, when heard Aurora than
d them for the happiness, which, under t
l. agency of wonder working Providence, tn
# had been the means of comforting upon her.
y EAGLE HOTEL, formerly "Galt House