The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-05-18

make miSinkc.'
"Ncvcr fear" said Henry, as tho clfSm.
iSt glued the halves together. "IIut how
long does it take to effect its purpose -
"Thrcc hours and leaves no trace, my
Young friend You ordered this To he
made ready three weeks ngo, nn1 ms you
have not called for it. ! brgan TO think
that your courage had failed"
"Thc time Ind not arrived" said Hen
ry, aS he placed the almond IN his vest.
But, tell me, old man, have we not met
before :"
"Where, until three weeks since!"
"ln Italy, where lived some five years
ago There j. mn nir-n tome in your
voice. that reminds mc 0f some one TINT
! once knew in Romt," said Henry St.
Maur.
"Ah! ! had relative there perhaps
YOU knew her" said Carlo, gazing sharply
into his face. "She was very beautiful,
all ~Said, and her name was Blanca, the
Flower Girl"
ST. Maur grew nshy pale, but in n mo
mcnt he replied, al hive seen her. What
has brcomc Of her."
She is dend. She gave her love to
some young and heartlcss villain. H. dc.
serted her and she died -snlnc twelve
months or 50 ago. The destroyer Of her
young life was n German count, ! have
heard lie had left Rome three or four
years before Blanca died in my arms. ]
wish could find the Scnundrcl. So long
as Blanca lived she loved him, but now
that she is no more, | think that | would
give all my gold to have an Italian's ven.
gcance!"
"And justly, too" snid Henry, "thc
reprobatc! We'll, good night"
Good night, my yonng friend. Do
not eat the unmarked almond"
Not |, indeed" laughed the hCartlcSS
Henry, as he turned and sped rapidly
away.
When he again stood in his uncle's
house, twas throngcd with guests, among
whom he was soon scattering jest and
compliment
"lla!" said his old uncle, as he met
him near the centre Of the main parlor,
"you nre n lnggard again. William and
Clara became man and wife just five min
utcS since"
al claim kiss from the brilr," snil
Henry, ms he Salutrd the new made wife,
and then graSpcd the hand Of the happy
husband.
al wish you hundred years Of mutual
joy, Cousin Clara and you too, William
said he, with smiling lip and DEVILS heart
and all that .jnhilpnt evening, who SO gay
as Henry ST Maury
At length, the festive time came on,
and sparkling wine and wit, ovrr.irostcd
cake and dainty viands, ruled the hour
plate with almonds, "Comr cousin viii,
since we arc ncwly,madc kinsncn, eat n
phlopWna with me; and who loses shall
forfeit To the bride"
"Asrccd," laughed the joyous bride.
groom, "Serk double almond"
"Ah! am sure have one here, said
Henry, crushing the almond for which hc
had paid in gold. "rhS is yours now
We eat together, md forfeit sngly."
All unsuSprcting, the gallant young
warrior, nearer death than when British
bullets had famed his manly check that
morn, ate the unmarked almond kernel
while st. Maur, half unconscious of the
net, so fierce were the guilty throhbings
Of his heart, swallowed the other kernel
Two hours after, when Henry stood
aloof, watching the bride md her spouse
as they moved in grace andiny in the lively
dance, a servant approached him aud told
him some one wished to see him ut the
street door. Henry impaticntlv followed
the call, for hr had hoped to see that hand.
some face grow deadly pale, that manly
form relaxed in sudden death. aud to hear
the crash of his rivals fall, at the very
feet Of his blooming, blushing bride. He
found Carlo Berhi ut the door.
"You did not eat the unmarked kernel"
asked the old Italian, eagerly.
No, ! ate the one chipped at the ends"
replied the traitor.
at is WE'LL" said Carlo "Now go
read this" and, ns he spoke, he placed a
billet in his hand and hurried away
CarclcSSly, for his mind was upon the
bridegroom, Henry St. Maur opened the
note MS he entered the hall again, aud
read these woldS:-
"With her last breath, Blanca told me
the name Of her destroyer. She knew
not what she told, for delirium ruled her
speech, She said the true namO Of the
pretended German Count was st. Maur,
of New Orleans. sought that villain
found him in you-your likeness, 81 long
worn on the bosom of Blanca, guided me
in my search. Blanca is avenged, for
Henry st. Maur shall not live to see to-
moirOw's sun. He has swallowed the
poisoned almond BlANcA's FATHER"
How pale, how ghaStly looked Henry
ST. Maur then! What sight SO pitiahlr
aS the traitor Stranglcd by his own treach.
cry? lIo said not IL word. lie fled to
the house Of the chemist; the door was
barred, he clamorcd in vain. When the
next day came, the corpse Of Henry st.
Maur lay cold aud stark upon the ground,
and the letter which theicy hand graSped,
revealed the mystery.
Bianca'S father was never moro seen in
New Orleans. His task was done.
| -------.~ ~O~S
FOURTEENTH STREET To PA CORES.
pondcnt sends uS the following good
story" as he calls it, appropoS Of the re
tiring President. We can't see the point
Of il, somehow, but perhaps our readers
can:
An amiablc fiirnd-an NJ. D. Of your
city-vi>ited Baltimore last summer, aud
while there called upon dignihed old
maid acquaintance, whom he highly CS-
teemed. The meeting was cordial, and
after old times and old friends had been
sufficiently discussed. and the weather
Settled" the conversation turned OF
President Buchanan.
"I have heard" said she, "that no is
a very industrious old gentleman"
"Nery much ST." said he; indeed,
know that it is his constant practice, when
quartcrcd at tho White House, TO walk
out Fourteenth street every morning be-
fore breakfast to p"
"Oh, DoctOrl" said she, bluShing and
turning her face; "Oh, DoctOr!"
"l-ah-bcg," said the Doctor, slightly
confused, =" beg vuur pardon. Madam.