The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-09-11


of the loungers Of Boulogne. having heard
OF their arrival, had presented themselves in
the neighborhood of the chateau, the ladies
gave up their strolls, and never showed
themselves without the walls Of their dwell
ling. One Of the females was elderly, the
other young and exquisitely beautiful, and
the attire and department of both evinced
that they were no inferior pelsonages. Such
was the report at least, of the intruders, al
Iuded 70 who saw the parties once, but new
er enjoyed the same pleasure again. All in.
quires about them, in the neighborhood,
and many were made, proved frui,Iess ex-
cept in so far as peasants of the little ham
let close BY, who carried victuals regularly
to the chateau, declared the old servant
there to have once called her young lady
Miss Blakep Upon this hint the Bouloe.
mites made q new trial, and various invita-
tons, duly accredited by lady-signatures,
were carried to the English stranger, Miss
Blake by whom they were all declined vcr-
6ally, through the mouth of the old servant.
lhe discomtitted messengers, after some vain
attempts to extract word from the servant,
were fain to return whence they came
These circumstances caused the ladies of the
chateau to be the subject of much talk
and the object Of much curiosity, part of
which was no doubt owing to the idle stu
alton and habits of those who entertained
the feeling. What could cause young and
beautiful girl thus to immune herself, could
not be comprehended, and guessing bu,
made curiosity keener. Such was the state
of mystery in which the matter remained
when Otway came TO Boulogne. His ro
mantle and adventurous spirit was at once
captivated by the story, aud this led 10 the
engagement already described.
Though not quite pleased with that en-
gagement, as has been said, Otway had still
curiosity enough to resolve upon prosecuting
lie adventure, though he also made up a de,
termination to desist at once, if he saw any
danger of hurting the feelings of the parties
duly concerned. Ills first step was to take
his drawing portfolio, and visit the chateau.
1t was an ancient solitary mansion, dark and
gloomy in appearance, and rendered more so
at this time, because the autumn had Just
passed, and the leaves were already begin
ming to fall from the trees around. Stephen
Otway gazed long from little distance up.
on the old house and its precincts, about
which there was not the slightest sign of life
or motion. lie went away home that day,
calling himself a fool and doubling even
whether it would not be better to stand the
laugh at once, and pay the bet. But the
second day saw him again near The chateau,
and on this occasion he felt rs il rewarded
for his trouble. The sounds of harp, play.
ed by skillful and delicate hand struck up
on his ear, and charmed it so much, that he
remained on the spot long after the melody
had ceased. 1t would be tedious to detail
the progress Of his adventure day by day
Suffice it to say, that he ventured in time 10
leave his secret stand and take up new
position, within sight from the chateaii-
The harp was silent at his approach, bu: lie
busted himself so intently 10 appearance with
his drawing. or in reading, that at length
his presence did not impede the music. Nay,
rs day after day went on. his presence seem
cd to excite less and less alarm, and he saw a
female figure fit sometimes backwards and
forwards, across the light blinds Of the win.
dows. A little ruse enabled him to know
whether or not, he was the object, mean
while, Of any attention to the inmates Of the
chateau. He absented himself one day from
his usual place, and took up another station
behind a tree. TO his inexpressible delight,
. female figure came several times 10 the
window, and pecped timidly towards the
spot where he should have been.
Restless time was running on all the
while, and heavy fall Of snow broke up
Otwav's visitations, telling him, besides, that
many weeks Of his time had now passed.
But, in truth, he had almost forgotten the
bet, having removed from Boulogne to re-
tired country lodging for some time back,
and having his imagination entirely occu-
pied with The fair unknown of the chateau,
whom he, Of course, clothed with aii man
ner of virtue, mental and personal. AS soon
as the snow had partially melted, he flew to
the old spot. Near to this place, he saw a
number of peasants engaged in clearing the
snow from pathway, leading between the
chateau and n wood ut some little distance.
What could be the purport of this 7 An
idea struck him. 1t might be to permit the
ladies TO walk; but, then, il they did walk
they must either break their old rules, or
walk by night. Otway now remembered
having heard it said at Boulogne, among
other hints that the ladies did walk some.
times by night. lie resolved to watch by
the side of the patti.
Night came, and Stephen still kept his
place. But he was rewarded. From the
point where he stood, lie could see by the
dim moonlight the front of the chateau, and
tNn GouraO lar,,,b ;.sYn,I f.o.>, 81. =. ~