Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-02-07
NUMBER 26.

| speclmen~-ene nnaly consented, ana obtain
ed a 6ue resemblance and beautiful picture.
Before departed, sought the hostess, Il
engage accommodations for myself as haG
not yet taken any definitely. Did Annette
have anything to do with that determination
| found the hostess exceedingly affable ant
| loquacious. A bargain was soon struck, anC
| considered myself fortunate man. Before
retiring to bed that night, learnt from he,
! something further relative to the old gentle,
man and his daughter Tbey had arrived but
a few days previous from Dauphiny, evidently
| in humble circumstances; but seemingly not
| always thus; from one or two expressions the
hostess had heard, she judged the old gentle"
man had been ruined by the inundation. She
thought they were on their way to Paris--but
she was not sure.
Several days had elapsed, and the old gem
tIeman, whose name had learnt was De Beu4
vais, was evidently getting much better. An.
nette was consequently more cheerful, yet slili
sad. had visited them frequently, and the
was an intelligent man, and conVersant; cons
sequentIy learnt some items of his past hiaA
tory and present intentions. He had owned
cotton factory in the inundated district, which
had been swept away; and it was true, he was
on his way to Paris, if be ever lived to get
there. He was guardian for Henri d'Alencon,
whose name ! had heard mentioned at nv fret
interview. It seems, from questions had my
own reasons for asking, thas Henri was an or
phan who had been brought up in the family.
He was the son of a friend Of great wealth,
the greater part of which lay in Paris. De
Beuvais loved him as his own child--and from
the manner in which the blood came and went
on Annettes cheeks whenever HenFi's name
was mentioned, he had double reason to do
so. Henri was conscript; and if not dead,
had returned with the balance from the Crmea,
the last of whom had already arrived in Paris.
This information, the truth of which did
not doubt, had interested me very much.
1t was about two weeks after my first inter.
view, that was sitting in my room one morn-
ing reading the Paris Pays, and was much ins
terested in an account of a review by the En-
peror on the Champs Ulysses. ,.of the wounded
at Sebastopol--the medals distributed by his
own hand, promotions, &c. Suddenly my door
was opened rather abruptly, and in walked
young man wearing the undress uniform Of
Lieutenant of Voltigeurs--in fact an elegant
looking young soldier, beneath whose vest /
could see the ribbon of the Legion of Honor.
His left arm rested in swing, and across his
chin was the scar of deep sabre cut, which I
somehow imagined rather added to than dee
tracted from his good looks and one of the
heroes Of the review, occurred the thought,
probably now stands before me.
The reader must not conceive that had
time to make all this observation and reflection
before the stranger spoke. He lost no time in
speaking, after entering the door:
ado speak with the agtist!" said he quicks
ly in manly but somewhat authoritative tone,
while his eyes seemed to glimmer with ntense
anxiety or passion--I could not tell which.
answered in the affirmative, and as did
so, observed he held in his right hand one of
my.specimens, taken from the door
"Then tell me, sir, in Heavens name, where
you obtained this picture" he continued, at the
same time showing me the portrait of Annette
le Beuvais.
1t was now my turn TO feel surprised as we'll
as interested in the little episode that was beA
ng enacted in my room; and must acknows
edge il, shade of regret, anger or jealousy
suddenly passed over my feelings, and my an
IweS, consequently, was not very satisfactory;
'Thc picture obtained from the lady's face,
vi" replied, and not in very pleasant tone.
The features Of the young officer became
still more flushed, and for few moments he
seemed to be pondering whether to become
.ngered at my remark or not; but the cloud
passed away, leaving more placid though
lot less anxious countenance.
'Pardou me, sir" he said at length, 10 tone
more subdued but one not less dignifed, 81
nave entered your room in an abrupt and una
authorized manner; my only excuse is the ass
constituent consequent upon suddenly seeing
his picture of one who Il fain acknowledge
) dear, very dear to me-"
motioned my guest to seat; new light
md new feeling burst upon met was
ceiling Of indescribabIe delight. Ny percep.
i've faculties-the faculty of understanding 3