The constitutional union., 1861-03-08
{" NJ. Vatry, my brother-in-law, shall have

book" exclaimed Madame de Vileboys, laughing aloud.
 The notary interrupted her jocularity.
 Madame" said he, (which of these lots do you choose 7"
 '' The two hundred thousand francs in money"
 |" Have you quite made up your mind ?"
 '' Perfectly so.'
 "The man of the law, addressing himself to the good feelings of the lady, said:
 ( Madame, you are rich and Anne has nothing. Could you not leave her this and take the book of prayers, which the eccentri- city of the deceased has placed on par with the other lot ?' .. < You must be joking, NJ. Dubois," ex- claimed Madame de Villeboys 'you must really be dull not to see the intention of sis ter Egrie in all this. Our honored cousin foresaw full we'll that her book of prayers would fall to the lot of Anne, who had the last choice"
 And what do you conclude from that ?'' inquired the notary
 II conclude that she intended to intimate to her sister that repentance and prayer were the only help that she had to expect in this world"
 As she finished these words, Madame de V. made definite selection of the ready money for her share. M Vatry, as may be easily imagined, selected the chateau, turn- ture, and jewels, as his lot.
 Monsieur Vatry," said NJ. Dubois to that gentleman, ' even suppose it had been the in- tention of the deceased to punish her sister, it would be noble on your part, millionaire as you are, to give at least portion of your share to Anne, who is in want of it"
 "Thanks for your kind advice, dear sir, 2 replied Vatry, the mansion is situated on the very confines of my woods, and suits ad- miraby all the more so that it is ready fur nished. As to the jewels of sister Egrie, they are "reminiscences which one ought never to part with"
 Since it is so" said the notary, " my poor Madame Anne, here is the prayer book which remains to you
 Anne attended by her son, handsome boy with blue eyes, took her sisters old prayer book, and making her son kiss 1t after her, she said:
 {. Hector, kiss this book, which belonged to your poor aunt, who IS dead, but who would have loved you we'll, had she known you. When you have learned to read, you will pray to heaven tosmakc you wise and good as your father was, and happier than your untortu- nate mother"
 The eyes of those who were present were l filled with tears, notwithstanding their efforts to preserve an appearance of indifference.
 The child embraced the old book with boy ish fervor and opening it afterward-
 "Oh, mama," he said, "what pretty pictures. !"
 '' Indeed p said the mother, happy in the gladness of her boy.
 {, ,yos The oood Viroin in red dress holding the infant Jesus in her arms. But why, mamma, has silk paper been put upon the plctures|'
 !" So that they might not be injured, my dear
 < But, mamma why arc there ten silk pa pers to each engraving W
 The mother looked, and uttering a sudden shriek. she fell into the arms of NJ. Dubois the notary, who, addressing those paesent said
 Leave her alone, 1t won't be much peo- pie don't die of these shocks. As for you, little one" addressing Hector, give me that prayer book you will tear the engraving
 The interiors withdrew making various con lectures as to the cause of Anne'S sudden illness, and the interest the notary took in her. A month atterward they met Anne and her son exceedingly we'll, yet not extrava- gantly dressed taking an airing in barouche This led them to make inquiries, and they ascertained that Madame Anne had recently purchasded a hotel for one hundred and eighty thousand francs, and that she was giv- ing frst-rate education to her son. The news came Ike q thunderbolt upon her Madame de Villeboys and NJ. Vatry hastened to call upon the notarv for explanations The good Dubois was working at his desk.
 "Perhaps we arc disturbing you" said the arrogant old lady"
 '' No matter, was just in the act of set ting purchase in the State funds for Mad ame Anne
 What" exclaimed Vatry after pur- chasing house and equipage has she still money to invest?'
 < Undoubtedly so.'
 " But where did the money come from ?'
 Where, did you not see :"
 "When?"
 "When she shrieked out at seeking what the prayer book contained which she inner ited
 We observel nothing"
 "Oh, thought you saw it. said the sar- castle notary. ' Il he prayer book contained sixty engravings, and each engraving was covered by ten notes of a thousand francs each '
 "Good heavens" exclaimed Vatry, thun- derstruck.
 If had only known it, shouted Mad anne de Vllleboys,
 z You had the choice" added the notary " and l myself urged you to take the prayer book, but you refused"
 " But who could have expected to find a fortune in abreviary.
 The two baffled egotists withdrew, their hearts swollen with passionate envy
 Madame Anne Is still in Paris If you pass by the Rue Laftte, on a summer even ing you will see charming picture on the first floor, illuminated by the pale reflection of wax lights.
 A lady who has joined the two fair hands of her son, a fair child of six years of age, in prayer before an old book of Heures de la Vlerye, and for which cross in gold has been made.