The mountain Democrat., 1865-02-04
Row Woman Had Her own Wa

Ishs& NSHSS ,se~Oee-. &on .k;- NSS1.
said M. Coulaineourt, rs his friend lee
him from the room in which he had beer
gazing for the last time on the body o
his dead wife. ..
Henri.AHgrer sighed deeply, bot though
ne had lived to know that time finds fol
all consolation, he did not attempt to con
sole.
Husbands have lost their wives before
| know-wives that they Ioved-but re.
; member how Cecile and I have loved each
other since our childhood remember oil
the obstacles that separated us for many
years; remember how | toiled to make
home worthy Of her, and now but two
years of happiness, two years of enjoy.
ment for the work Of q whole life. Oh
; it is frightful! Cecile, my poor Cecie
how her eyes yearned towards me, till al
last they closed forever. Oh! Henri,
can never know happiness again
Henri Augrer led him silently to hi.
study and there sat by him whilst the
widower paced the room, now talking Of
his dead wife now sobbing like child,
now exhausted and weak, throwing him
self on the sofa, and lying in the stiffness
Of despair.
The laws Of France prolong but twcn.
ty.four hours the survivors, watch over a
dead one loved. Nine. CouIaincourt was
next morning borne from her home, and
in few hours her husband returns to his
desolated house his heart nearly broken,
his nerves worked up to the highest pitch
by the horrible ceremonies he has wit,
messed
Madly and with wild shrieks he now
PAGES the room, thrusting from him all
his friends; even Henri, who has asked
to be left alone with him, is repulsed.
At last the door Of the room opens
slowly. and lady in deep mourning
robes, her face calm and solemn, but with
red, fearful eyes, enters the room. She
has in her arms an infant, whose long
white robes form q contrast with her
mourning garments.
CUulaiRcOurt does not notice her, but
she goes up to him, and as he stands beat
ing his breast and sobbing wildly, she
holds up to him the fair, sleeping child.
She is another Cecile,' said the lady
in low, calm voice and the Cecile that
is gone left her to you, memorial of your
love and Of the two years Of happiness
you passed together
| M. CoulaIncou t sunk down on q sofa,
gazed on the child as it was lain across
| his knees, and for some moments spoke
not. Then at last, extending a hand to
| each of the friends who watched him.
Sister said he-'Henri, for the sake
Of the child, | will try to live
! kho of
this same room was opened, and a young,
bright. beautiful face, with shining braids
Of chestnut hair around it, was thrust in
'Ila: Father mine, why are you so
long, exclaimed fresh young voice, and
a light form bounded from the door to
the sofa where Coulainceurt was seated.
'Cecilc!' said Coulaincourt, looking
up, smile Of joy beamIng on his face.
Yes, Cccile,' said the young girl. 1T
really is very strange cannot make you
more obedieut to your daughter, yet Im
sure spared no pains in education. -
Don't you know that breakfast is ready? '
No, yes had forgotten it Twas
thinking
Thinking about what"
well
Now, sir, If you dare to have thought
you have not communicated to me, you
had better look out
Indeed, have not
Let me cross examine you
'Wen'
Are your affairs in order5'
Has no house where you had money
failed:'
None
Are you prepared to meet oil your
notes?'
Yes
Have you made any bad speculation
no.
Are you not satisfied with Adrian p
Absurd! You know Adrian 10 devot-
ed to me, heart and SOUL
well, then, what were you thinking
aboutI'
You
'Me--about me? And you dare to look
serious, almost sad, when you are think
ing of me9 This is worse than anything.
Pray, what thoughts could inspire you
with that could make you look sad and
serious Y
Thoughts inspired by last nights ball.
'Why, they should be merry thoughts;
wasn't the very queen of the ball 7
didn't dance every dance. and were you
not surrounded by all the young men in
the room!'
Yes, greeted vas and overwhelmed
with wine and refreshments handed me
on all sides, and that has made me melan-
choly, for am afraid Of losing the trea.
sure for which have toiled these many
years
why? Do you think these young
gentlemen were robbers in disguise, or
amt you sure Of the lock Of your strong
box
'Cecile, Cecile, you are laughing at
Jour father, the treasure | mean is your
self
Have these men any intention of car
ryng me Off What pity they should
be such dangerous characters, for they
waltz so WELL
Don't pretend to misunderstood me.
CeciIe, you know exactly what | mean.
| You know that you were admired by ev-
erybodv, and you know what is likely to
follow this admiration of pacel Of young
men,.
NO, don't
1T is too bad to think that after a life
spent in loving you, in making you what
you are-beautlul, amiable, good. accom-
plshed, just because you are eighteen |
am to give you up yes, give you up. to
domestic invader called o son in-law, a
man who will carry you off from me, a
man who will presume to love you, and
what is worse. man you may probably
learn to love yourself: it is dreadful I