The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-08-26

her feet was a lover pressing her hands to
his lips ! but it was not the Count de
Verac, but his cousin, the Count Henri
de Simiane. aa Ht
Yes" murmured Henri between his
ardent kisses; "yes, my beautiful Pauline
| feel, appreciate ali the sacrifices you
have made Tor me. l know how pure and
immaculate was your life till l knew you.
| know how you must loved me to forget
the stern principles that hayc hitherto
ruled your llte." .st
"Henri," said Pauline, blushing or
seeming 20 do so by means OF the pink
curtains that shaded her, '.someumes /
start in my sleep aNd wonder whether ali
can be true; but l love you; Igave my
self to you that you might not DOUBT me. ="
AT this moment tootstep was heard
approaching, Nine. Huln started up, and
pushed Henri away; but he elapsed her
closely to him, and at the same moment
the door opened, and the Count de Verac
stood before them.
Nine. Huln screamed and hid her face
in her hands, but Henri did not rellnq uish
his hold on the contrary he clasped her
closer.
Monsieur de Verac rushed furiously up
to them, but Henri, then, placing her be-
hind him kept the Count back. -
"Monsleur de- Veracp he excllimed
"what do you want here 2"
"What right have you with your arm
round that lady 2"
'What right have you to ask you took
81, 4, L
been my wife, sureIy it is but fair retala-
tlon that l should take your mistress"
"What do you mean I" exclaimed Pau
line, disnantly.
81 mean that | have known all the time
that you were the mistress of NJ. de
Verac."
slow dare you say this"
"Simply because L am the cousin of
woman whose name should not be me, :
toned hers but as her husband is here
to defend it, do not mind saying that
the Countess de Verac, my cousin, told
me the great sorrow OF her life. " ''
"You shall atone for this" excla, med
de Velac. 81.
ANY way you like, dear cousin, only l
will not give up my claiming Iauhne /;
we are going to Italy together, are we
not z"
Pauline, is this man speaking the
truth r. ...-,..
Monsieur de Verac," said Nine. Hulin.
seeing that she must love one or the other
now turned boldly to Nerac, 'some time
ago you showed me u letter from your
wife; that letter made IA deep impression,
it made me reflect on the guilt OF our al
tection now Monsieur Henri is not mar
ried. ."1lt Z iHa5atHt:
"Not in the least !" exclaimed Henri,
"Monsieur Henri is rich, independent,
generous, it is better to cling to hin, my
beautiful Pauline"
Here de Verac came up to Henri, and
laying his hand on his shoulder, looked at
HIM with fashng eyes.
I" Enough, enough r said he, "but M.
de Simiane, l suppose you understand that
this eannoC end Aere." aais'4a alst
Certainly not, and / am prepared for
any eidng that you may condescenl to
propose .ialr5ris .sni s.l.l ...t at.S5
The Count turned with glance of con-
tempt at laul.ue, and stroqe from the
room. Henri could not getaway So easily
ly for he had to encounter Il series of hys-
ter o., reproaches, and protestatlons, ana
to do great deal OF comforting before he
could get away.
"AliLe, said Henri that VIII ch,
Ike every other evening for the last three
months he had spent with her, ''if should
die before | see you again 7" I.a.f s.li ssa-
"Henri, what do you mean YiJu.b
"No, Will not put it SO. Suppose I
were On my deathbei, would you forgive
a confession would not dare make if 1
tn h1ughtI were going to liyeF
"a confession"
"Yes, that l love you-not as sister.
but is the wUmln to whom was once be-
trothed--love you, worship you, adore
you, as my firstlove, thelove of my youth. .
Henri, do you wish never to see me
again, that you speak thusP yoi
II pray God cousin, that Imay see you
again, and that when we meet YOU NAV.
once again be happy, aye, though 1T shou d
cot me my life, / would see you happy"
So Henri departed. The next mo, ng
he received the Counts fire, but did not
return 1t, though he might haves done SO,
for the Counts ball penetrated his right
side, but left his right arm uni jured
but Hcnri fred in the air. d A
The duel made great sensation in
Pars, though Henri, as soon as he was
able, left it, nl4
As for NJ. de Verac within few hours
OF the duel he was on his road to the iron
tier, by railroad which, in few hours,
convey ed him to Brussels. -
1t was from this city Of exiles and refu.
gees that two months after his duel Mon
eur de kerac wrote to his wife.
= "Aline, some months since you bid me
come back to nay home and my child |
Then was blind and mad, now / have
recovered my senses and know the value
OF all l have lost. Aline, my wife, will
you receive me2 20 w EpouRp."
''Eorr your child's sake REJOICE la the
change you speak of. Yes, come back to
you. h me ami your ehiln, bus not now
L miil summon you by telegraph, tne..
come Instantly. ts.i s.f... ALINs.'s
Wearlly the Count waited, walled for
ov Two month";, then at last the summons |
Came aud the Oouut h.lsteuel 70 Par.s.
Ills house was closed-ail within husb. |