True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-29
. GagitaL 9torg.
THE PRIESTS VICTIM.
BY GIDDINGs H. BALLoU.

Swell met Nina Whittier away so
fast?"
"Ah, is it possible! A thousand par
dons count, for not perceiving you soon
err"
Sand how could that have happened,
little fairy, since you have no eyes in the
back of your head :"
GO, monsieur do not make sport of
little, waiting maid. But it so confuses
me meeting you on a sudden. And it
has been so long since-and my poor
mistress" .....
Gay, and what of her ;" said the
count, suddenly losing his assumed Ievity
of tone, whilst his companion also tripped
less gaily by his side. . q.
"Ah, my count--pardon, monsieur,
that take such liberty-but she does not
seem as Of old. She is now so sad we
know for what and for whom. She nei-
ther sews nor reads !; and you know she
can do both so beautifully! She does no.
thing but move back and forth; every
now and then looking listlessly from the
window, as if she knew not, why or what
she sought. And then al eve, she so
watches the stars |! And yet think she
sees them not Never is she out of doors,
except to go to the church and the con-
fessional. Surely, monsieur, one so good
and gentle need not so often seek pen
ance and absouIion from the priest -
GA malediction on them - muttered
the count. "Woud the earth might
swallow them all Yes, you said truly,
Nina. She has not need. And then
she goes often 10 the confessional :"
"It is true. But monsieur, do rot
frown SO, I beseech you. You know not
how it trighIens me Indeed, it is as |
have said. And have heard her speak
some strange words. mistrust that they
have been persuading her to give all her
possessions to the church and become a
nun. Would it not be a pity, sir, so
young and so beautiful ?"
" Nina, it shall not be. The mere
thought of it is torture. But how to pre-
vent it + must see her. yes, and speak
with her. Nina. You know that she
has forbid me her presence ; nor would l
intrude, were it to her injury. But meet
her | must, and you shall know the
means"
All count" said the liulle waiting
maid, while The tears danced in her mer.
ry eyes, Zone would attempt anything
for two such lovers. For know that
she does love you still, and | think as
much as ever, try to conceal it as much
as she may"
Thanks, my pretty friend. But how
shall | gain meeting :"
4" / have it. Let us hasten 10 the Pare
des Estrengeres, where lam sure that
we shall presently fall in with my mis-.
tress. tits even yet early in the morn,
'and she will not have returned from ma
AIMS as yet We will go 10 the most thick.
ay shaded path, at the right of the eastern
avenue, for it is there that she almost al
ways walks" nae' ri
Thilherward they therefore turned
aheir steps, the girl almost out Of breath
in endeayoring 10 keep pace with the i'm.
patience of her companion Thus they
reached The gate Of the noble park. once
the glory Of Lyons, though nearly two
centuries have passed since it has been
obliterated from her midst. We have
said obl.erated, although one relic we
believe still remains in the fountain over.
shadowed by an aged tree, which now
stands at the corner of Rue de Mcr. Thi;
fountain half ruined as il is, still show:
some remnant of the beauty which once
adorned it when The scnlptured NaiaC
rose in graceful shape from amid its wa
ters. Halfway placed adown the narrow
path which was the favolite resort of Mi.
mas mistress, its fitfulsheeh was never.
theless plainly dscernible from the en-.
entrance of his mimic forest-way. g,
Here leave you MONSIEUR" said