The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-01

BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,


80 wcalthy-you have begged
YES, my friend, received aims once, and
that was from you.
The next day after this, and which ] now
reckon among the happiest days Of my life,
an old woman, whom had inspired with
some pity, took me into her house, as seam
stress. My gayety returned by labor; be-
came the friend of the respectable lady with
whom I lived. One day Lord Melville came
into the room where was working, and sat
down by my side. He was man Of sixty,
tall. spare, and Of repulsive aspect.
Miss said ho, i know your. history
Will you marry mc7'
Marry you' cried.
Yes; | have immense property, which l
do not wish to leave to my nephcws-and l
have the gout, which do not wish to be
taken care Of by my domestics. From what
I have been able to learn of you, your char
acter is upright and elevated. And it is in
your power to become Lady Melville. and to
prove that you are destined for good for
tune since you know how to support mislor'
tune.'
'Ilovcd you, Frederic, continued the young
woman. Il had seen you but once, but it
was impossible for me to forget you, and
something in my heart seemed to say that
our lives ought to roll together. As | looked
at Lord Melville, as saw his melancholy
countenancc, and his sharp and almost wary
eye, ! said to myself that tho step he was
taking was nothing else than step of rc-
yenge, and | was 10th to be the instrument
in it. If the noble lord did not receive a
refusal, he at least perceived it, from my ag-
itation, and like all men, who are only rend-
cred more ardent by rejection, hc redoubled
his solicitations.
MY companions induced me to profit by
the folly of an Englishman with his millions,
n part of whose fortune could not but soon
be mine. As for me thought of you-l
adorned you with all my imagination could
lind to my memory-and tho image of
man whom had seen but for an instant al'
most induced me to sacrifice my fortune. as
we'll as yours, Frederic. But had passed
through too rough school for romantic ideas
to have the better of reason. You were re.
jcctcd by the young scamstress, and i became
Lady Melville.
1T was fairy tale, my friend! la poor
deserted orphan, was the wife of ono of the
richest peers IN England Seated IN car.
riage loaded down with servants, was able
to pass thro' the streets where | had begged
few months before, and clothed in glitter
ing silk and diamonds to mark the curb.
stones whercon ! sat. Tho sport Of chance,
the capriccs OF fortune, the passions of men,
my friend, are tho fairies of this world
Happy Lord MELVILLE cried Frederic, 'hc
was able to enrich you
He was in truth very happy continued
Madame do Ia Tour, 'and he proved to me
very clearly that, since my intentions were
honorable, this marriage, which looked up.
on as very foolish act, was the most reason.
able thing in the world. Ho was rich beyond
my desires.
lie could never expend his income, so that
ho had no need Of new possessions; and be
thought very justly that gratitude would at
tach to him woman whose fortune he would
make. IIc never rcpented Of having married
French woman.
Il intrusted to the noble lord the care o
my fortune, and assisted him in his last days,
When he died bo left me all his property
and I then made myself an oath never tc
marry any one except the man who aided
me in tho most miserable moment Of my
life.
'Ingrate! y added Madame de Ia Tour, Civ
ing her hand to her husband, who yet CANT
no nearer to her who wished to love and en-
rich him.
But, sir, do you never 60 into the world
Do you not attend shows and concerts? All
If had known your name.'
So saying. the new bride detached from hcl
neck collar of rubics. and drew from small
bag Of silk. which was attached to it, crown
of hundred sous, set in gold.
This is the very one said she, putting /,
into Frederic's hand. AT the sight Of thi'
crown, ] was furnished with sufficient bread
to support me till the next day, and alsc
obtained credit for few hours. The next
day things were so arranged that was able
to preserve your crown. II has never left
me. All, how happy | was when met you
about month ago. With what quicknes
did stop my horses leaned over the car
riarc door, and to attract your attention
seized upon the first pretext which presented
itself to me. had hut ono fear. feared
that You might be married IL tina: had
been the case. you would have known moth
inc ,f this story, aud poor Lady Melville
would have enriched you in secret; she
would have returned to England, where she
would have grown old in scclusiOn, at her
castle in Wales
Frederic let 60 his wife's hands, he let fall
from hi. grasp the embroidered muslin Of
her nicht.dress, and he seized the crown, the
cause Of his fortune and hi, happiness.
so YOU sce.' continued Madame do 10 Tour,