The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1862-06-14

the sea, Michel could not have adored her
more thau he did Madlle. D; but
her position, SO far above his, presented
insuperable difficulties to the ultimate
realization of his hopes. Nevertheless,
love, which sleeps not, found many oppor-
tunities for being near her, kneeling to as
sist her into the saddle, or tremblingly
aiding her to dismount.
cit is said that a woman can always
read the heart Of man that loves her,
and Madlle. D-had no need to look
deep, for she saw the devotion of Michels
soul written in his eyes. I cannot tell
you-for | scarcely know myself-how
she came at last to recognize his love but
one morning he came to me and told me
that, on returning the evening before from
ball given by Madame la Comtesse de
F., he had walked by her side as she
rode home on her favorite Arab. They
were little behind their friends, nought
to hear him but the bright moon and the
twinkling stars that looked down and told
him to hope. In a moment, almost Of
madness, he poured into her ears the story
of his love. She listened and answered
not; but the gentle pressure of the hand
for the first time at parting, as he lifted
her from the saddle, told him he was loved.
The extravaganza of his joy at one mo-
ment knew no bounds, while in the next
he was plunged into the very depths Of
despair. He knew that the proud and
naughty spirit of Madame s would
permit no connexion between her relative
and her husbands dragoman. Could he
fly to some solitary spot on the mountains,
where he might pass his life alone with
her, secure Of his prize, he would do SO
but then one so luxuriously nurtured as
she was could not support such hardship.
He acted at the time wisely; he deter
mined to wait and hope.
"About this time Mons. NJ, consul
at Jerusalem, arrived >at Beyrout, on Off
cial business with the consul-general. -
He had seen Madlle. D.; and Cupid,
who plays such fantastic tricks, wounded
him to the very heart. Madame S.
encouraged his suit in every way; and as
they were about retiring for the summer
to Beit-Miry, she invited him to join
them, and altogether interdicted the pres
cnce of Michel.
"You can imagine the despair and
agony which filled his heart He con-
triyed, however, to see his beloved before
her departure, and received further
avowal of her affection and pledge of
unalterable fidelity; and each evening at
the same hour, when night spread his sa-
Bile wing over Beyrout, you might see a
bright star ascend towards heaven from
amidst the gardens Of mulberry and or
ange, and if your eyes happened to look
towards Beit-Miry, you would behold
another appear for moment in the sky
and vanish.
tMadame S. soon discovered this
means of communication between the low
ers. Poor Michel looked in vain for the
starry messenger. Reports came to Bey.
rout from time to time of the attentions
paid by the consul to Madlle. d., and at
last rumor, which always loves to exagge-
rate, said that he was accepted, and that
they were about to be married. 1t is
now well known that Madame S. her.
self caused these reports to be spread,
hoping thereby to place mademoiselle in
such an equiyocal position, that she would
be obliged to confirm them in reality.
"Michel, driven to despair, after re-.
counting this last report to me, mounted
his horse one evening and rode madlys to
Beit.Miry. ] followed him, but alas too
late. He had tied his horse to tree
and walked through the pine grove which
grew thickly up to within few feet of the
house. His heart beat so rapidly as he
saw the form of her he loved standing
near the balcony, that he leaned against
d tree as well for support as to conceal
himself from view. But oh /! the accursed
sight! The next moment he saw his ha-
ted rival stand beside her; he saw bis
glances sow roses on her cheeks, and fam
cied him possessed with power to pluck
them. Suddenly be drew q pistol from
lis scarf fired -oh, horror the lifeless.
form Of her he loved fell bathed in blood.
& At that moment arrived. I saw
him rush suddenly forward towards the
balcony, but the next mohent the Ka'yass
appeared, followed by the servants, and
lie fled precipitately towards the convent.
\ Thought he wished to seek protection
within its walls, but was mistaken. a
He passed towards the ruined temple,