The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-01
Gbs storp Geuer.
THE CROWN
OF A HUNDRED SOUS
lrrOm the French of Eugene GulrOtl

ltrom the French OF Eugene uulzotl
1t was past midnight, and tho bride had
already been some time in the nuptial cham
Der, when the young spouse succeeded at
last in escaping from his friends and leaving
the ballroom, when he assembled the stairs,
upon one OF the landing places of which
waitins-maid met him, and told him to en-
ter.
The now husband raped lightly upon the
door, and threw himself at the feet of wo-
mau, who was waiting for him, seated near
the fire, in an elegant nisht-drcss, such as a
rich widow might be expected to wear,
whose desires had been satisfied by new
marriage.
Rise, my FRIEND said sho to her spouse,
giving her hand.
NO, no, madame, replied the young mar,
sciring upon white hand which he claspcd
between his own, and carried to his lips
No, leave meat your lcet, and do not with
draw your hand, for fear lest you may es-
cape me; fear that all this is only illusion;
il seems to mo that am the hero ot those
fairy tales used to hear when child, and
that at the very moment Of being happy the
malicious fairy is going to fly away, to laugh
with her companions at my sorrow and de-
sPair.'
DO assured, my friend, that yesterday
was Lord Melyillers widow and now, sir, l
am Madam DO Ia Tour, your vile. Dispel
from your Imagination your childhoods TAI
~. The tale is but fable
NJ. Frederic dc Ia Tour had some reason
to suppose that q superior genius interlered
with his afhips, for within the last month
either chance or inexplicablc good fortune
had rendered him rich and happy beyond bis
desires. His age was twenty-five; he was
an orphan and barely lived upon an employ
ment in which he was engaged, when pass
ing one day through the rue St. HonOre, a
splendid coach stopped near him, and an ell
elgan,ly-dresscd lady leaned over the car
rage door and called out to him, though not
by name.
The driver descended, let down the foot
board, and, hat in hand, respectfully invited
NJ. Frederic to be seated by the side OF this
woman, glittcring with jewels. The coach
man then drove oil.
Sir said the lady who had thus spoken
him up, with sweet voice, Il have received
your letter, but Notwithstanding your refusal
| vet hope to see you tomorrow ut my eve
ming party
Me, madame,' replied Frederic.
Yes, sir, you. All! beg your pardon,
cried the lady with surprise, Il beg your
pardon, sir; but you so much resemblcd
person of my acquaintance that took you
for him. All, sir, excuse. What must
YOU think? Indeed the resemblance is 50
striking that any one in the world would be
deceived Us have been.
Before this explanation was ended, the
coach stopped in the court OF superb man
sion, and NJ. Frederic could not but ofEtr
his hand to Lady Melville. Frederick, dal'
lled by 50 much grace, was easily subjugaiod.
lie congratulated himself upon the happy
chance which gave rise to his acquaintance
with Lady Melville; he accepted her invita-
ton, and IN few days became one OF her
most frequent visitors. The rich widow wa'
surrounded by admirers ; but they dropped
OF ono by one, and things were 50 arranged
before week had rolled by, that the little
clerk had made the widows house his home
Marriage was agreed upon' but II was SIT
who first proposed it.
, Frederic would sometimes place himself IN
the morning before his little glass, and con-
Q slider himself with some attention. lie was
not ugly, neither was he handsome. Ills
dress, moderate, as must be that OF clerk
with a salary Of eight hundred francs, did
!, not permit him to attribute his good fortune