The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-09

make his appearance. He is descendant
of that magistrate who, forced by his father
and the traditions of his family, to assume
the robe, for which he had the most pro-
found distaste, vowed to decide always
against his conscience. Faithful to his Ia
cit engagement, he dismissed three times an
accusation against three men whose guilt
was proved to him, and whose crime carried
with it the punishment of death. Six years
after, the innocence of the three was fully
established. M. de Guemarec had been
right 10 violating as judge both bis reason
and bis conscience. The father of the young
magistrate insisted no longer, and the place
was sold."
Three minutes past nine! M. de Guema-
rec entered.
"At twenty minutes past nine we will
push up the fauteil for M. the Baron de
Grignoelles, continued Madame de Hacque.
vile. She was right. With the same ex-
actitude she indicated the precise moment
at which Madame Casa Blanca, the Presi-
dent de Page, and indeed each one of her
guests, would appear.
uOtlCCu tu0U ux0O0luC Ooo0 OIduC0 COu-
stantly concealed her right hand. Madame
de Hacqueville was speaking of her in very
warm terms. "Ah! Madame Casa Blanca 8
heart is full of noble qualities" said she, 81
counsel you to appreciate them"
"But why does she always conceal her
right hand-do you know ?"
II do not, nor have I ever asked. Since
she has not forestalled my curiosity upon
this point, it is probable that it would have
wounded her and prefer rather to keep a
friend, than to learn a secret, which, after
all. might but little interest me-"
Excuse my indiscretion," 1 replied; "but
you have told me so much that was valua-
BILE concerning your friends here, that was
emboldened to ask this explanation of q
fact which struck me so much"
Madame de Hacqueville leaning good
humoredly upon my shoulder, here rose to
welcome Casa Bianca-the lady of the hid.
den hand. Whilst she was thus occupied
in welcoming her, the habitues Of the re-
union were entering, group after group.
The card tables were set out, and the play
ers snufed and dealt like phantoms playing
upon the borders of the Styx.
Everybody played except Madame Casa
Blanca and Madame de Hacqueville. The
right hand of the former was hidden as
usual ; the left hand might be seen covered
with white glove, and must have once been
beautiful. The same remark might be made
of Madame Casa Bianca's foot and figure.
She appeared now to be about fifty years
old, although in reality much older; but a
naturally strong constitution. and an adven-
turous life, following the fortunes of her
husband, soldier Of the Bepublic and the
Empire, had firmly tempered, so to speak,
the features of Madame Casa Blanca.
There are generations of women, as Of men,
energetic as the times they are called to live
in. Under the Empire, the women who
amidst cannon, drums and banners, followed
the army, he Grand Army" took from
their associations singularly original and
military tone. Without losing the graces
of womanhood, they gained much Of the
strength and energy Of the manly character.
During these evenings, it was the custom
for each of the convives" to relate some
incident of his life.
Directly it was the turn of the President
de Page to relate. He related well, and q
silence almost mournful fell upon the old
room and the strange guests as be told his
story.
ave will 60 back" said he, 4" to the
days of Louis XVI. was one of the king 3
judges. But before that was scholar at
the University. My road was not smooth.
I had many trials. But I had a counselor,
Francoise, my foster sister, came not once
but often, from far away in the provinces,
to comfort and cheer me. loved her as if
she had been sister of my blood. During
her last visit q terrible circumstance oc.
Cured. I lost q valuable diamond snuff
box. I spoke loudly of my loss, and every
place was searched.
1.-THE diamond snuff:box was found.
zone of the people Of the Court discov-
cred it hidden in the paillasse of the bed in
which FRANCHISE, my foster-sister slept"
A general movement Of interest showed
itself in the saloon of Madame Haqusville.
The President de Page paused. The
recital evidently pained him.
"Francoise, my foster-sister, the fresh
checked peasant Of Monteran; she who had
trudged wearily through the frost and snow
to come and throw herself upon my nech
upon the steps of the Sorbonne; FRANCHISE
whose skin was as soft as velvet, and bel
eyes so tender and loving"
The Marquis took pinch of snuff, but
saw the snuff fall on the ground.
"They dragged her before the judges,
wished to excuse myself, but they forced m
to preside. They pretended ironically t
repose the highest confidence in my natura
impartiality. Ny enemies rejoiced, and th
populace threatened to stone me when
was known that had ordered"
Here NJ. DePage was silent. You coul
hear nothing but the cracking of the fir
and the oscillation OF the pendulum. Th
pictures upon the walls were noisier than th
guests at that moment.
NJ. DePage resumed: "That I had o.
dered the rack For Francoise de MED e.
--'-+s----.-