Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-04-13

iate oul, feCkouiuS upon MS DelnS lorewarn-
ed. he hoped he might escape the snare that
had been fatal to so many others. The fifth
day, towards three O'Clock in the afternoon,
young Lecoq, in all the eclat of his fine
clothes, was sauntering on the terrace of the
garden of the Tulleries next the river, when
a remarkably beautiful young woman passed
close by him. She was walking alone, but
was followed at some distance by kind of
humble friend, or gourernante. She appear
ed to be about 25 years of age, was elegantly
dressed, and had not only much beauty in
her face and shape, but a certain foreign grace
or piquancy in her air and manner. L'Eveile
gazed, or pretended to gaze, with great inter-
est upon the fine form and striking features of
the unknown fair one. His glances were not
thrown away, but were answered by timid and
half-downcast looks. He drew himself up,
arranged the frill of his shirt, disposed in
better order his lace ruffles-in word, gave
himself the airs of man who had the presen-
timent of an adventure, hoping all the time
that it was that for which he had bis instruc-
tions already. To make sure of this, he pass
ed and repassed several times before the lady,
and at length took a seat upon one of .he
benches of the labyrinth which then existed
in front of the Champs Elysees. Ee had not
been there many minutes when he saw the
friend, or suiyQnte, of his beauty approach the
spot there he was, and, after n few;turns seat
herself on the same bench. He took off his
into conversation and, thinking the game
already in his hands, he asked the suirante
who the young lady was in whose service she
appeared to be. ssOh, Sir" replied she, ssthe
history Of my mistress is almost romance"
ga romance!" exclaimed L'Eveille, ssyou in
terest me deeply; probably your mistress
is-'' eyes, replied the suiuante, in a
confidential tone, s'you have guessed right
she is that interesting young person, of whom
all Paris is still talking; and, since you have
readily Glanced upon her name, l will no
longer conceal from you her history. You
must know, my dear sir, that the father of my
mistress was a rich Polish prince, who came
to Paris incognifo, and whilst there formed a
connection with the daughter of tradesman
in the Rue St. Denis; child (my mstress)
was the result of this intercourse. The prince
quilted Paris. and never returned. 1t was
said that he had been set upon by brlgands and
murdered. The King of Poland, however,
having been made acquainted with the unwor-
thy conduct of the prince, wished to repair,
as far as in him lay, the evil he had done; and,
for that purpose, sent a confidential agent to
Paris. But, alas before his arrival the moth
er of my mistress had died of a broken heart,
and he found her infant orphan alone in the
world. The King of Poland, on being inform
ed of the circumstances, caused the child to
be declared heiress of the vast wealth of the
Prince. Happy the man who shall call her
L'Eveille, s'the man who could entertain even
hope Of pleasing her," at the same time
heaving deep sigh. "Ah, young man, to
please, you must sometimes dare" s'To do
what ?'' asked L'Eveille. ssHow should /
know ITO be amiable.'' ssAnd how is that
to be done?' ssOh, you question me too
closely; and, for an intelligent youth, as you
appear to be, you ask singular questions. A
dieu, monsieur
ssOne word more,'' cried L'Eveille; GONE
word more, | conjure you" The sHivante, who
had risen, sat down again. 1t was now LIE
veile's turn to speak and he told the old wo-
man, with as much apparent righteousness as
he could muster up, that he was the son of
wealthy physician of Mans, and that he had
been sent to Paris to attend the course of lee
lures at the university and added, ssHere
have been for the last ten days, and, as you see
not i'll provided; for my father is generous,
having no other child but me; and, besides
Watches chains, and rings, have two hundred
pistoleS in my purse, and leisure and DISPOSE
tion to devote myself to the task of pleasing
so charming person as your Mistress
The old sorceress chuckled and smiled, with
a mingled expression of pleasure and contemp-
tuous pity. She then took L'Eveille by the
hand and said, sYou have entirely won my
heart, and feel a kind of motherly affection
for you, of which l will give you proof List
en- to me. You have not escaped my mistress
u.
manners, and desired me to find out who you
we're. | am charmed that her choice should
have fallen on one so worthy of her. Station
Yourself, this evening, little before nightfall,
in front of the principal door OF the church OF
ST. German L Auxerrois. l will meet you
there, and bring you, l have no doubt, good
tidings Take care to come well dressed, and
with all your finery for it might spoil all were
YOU to appear before my mistress in the gulse
of a threadbare-coated, pennyless student"
This point being settled they separated.
L'Eveille, in his joy, scarcely touched the
ground along which he hurried home, as ne
felt convinced that he had discovered the de-
coy that had lured SO many young men to their
ruin. On acauainting his father with what mad
taken place. Lecoq shared in the suspicious
and hopes of his son; but, as the hour OF trial
drew nigh, paternal tenderness filled his heart
with fear and he trembled at the danger the
Young man was about to encounter Ho"eV-
er in order TO diminish that danger as much
as possible he summoned a number of his most
trustv police agents, to whom he briefly e2-
plained the nature of the service, and recon-
mended them to keep close to his son, WITH
ont. however, compromising. by their too near
approach the success of the coup de man ne
was about to attempt. He himself was 10 walk
short distance before them, resolved ,hat,
as far as in him lay, the expedition should not no..
fail, A little before nightfall L'Eveilie, still
more richly dressed than in the morning, pro-
ceeded to the place appointed: The church
doors were about being closed when an old wo-
man meanly clad, and with her face nearly
concealed under hood, emerged from the
church, and after throwing fnrtive glance a.
bout her, recognized L'Eveille, and made a
sign to approach her: 81 should nese, nave
nown Won. cried L'Eveille. cav hat a strange
smure Won have made OF yourself7' "Oh, it
Is a necessary precaution, my son, in.order to
escape the eyes of the numerous adorers OF
u,v mistress. who, hoping to gain me to their
;nterest. beset me whenever they see me IN