The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-07-17


it was necessary to pass George in order t.
reioin her mother. Turning, he bowed witt
all the timid awkwardness Of college youth
and soon was lost in the crowd Of auditors o
| the viscoInt.
! Helene advanced to her motLcr, who hal
not even noticed her absence.
4 ssMy beautiful cousin" said Henri de Will
1 ers, perceiving her, 81 am curious to know il
| you share the general incredulity."
| ssSince mamma has permitted me to reaf
Walter Scott, my cousin answered she, iii
has so much amused me that have never
thought to ask myself if all those beautifu
adventures were true, or invented to please
| The yiscount bowed. George Leslie was
leaning against the mantel of the chimney
| at the sound Of Helen's voice he trembled
and placed his hand upon his brow. His
hand was cold-his brow burning.
Il could pass my whole life in listening to
my cousin said Madame the Marchioness dc
Boistrudan, with earnestness. "We have no
histories equal to these. :
IF NJ. de Villiers would publish this, ad-
ded yiscount who had publisheda few light
poems in LA Mode, cit would be great
success.
<Extravagant =
Twenty editions. !"
Henri wore proud smile.
II do not recount my travels except to my
friends" he answered. 10 write is to talk
with the reader-and find the world of read
crs not select enough to talk with"
SAYING this, he abandoned the position Of
an orator, which he had held up to that time,
and made amotion as if tossit down. An APP
pearance Of disappointment spread from gronp
to group,
'sYou see, cousin exclaimed the march
ioncss ssnobody here desires you to leave off
yet,
s.An adventure, viseount, an adventure
cried out three or four sweet voices Of women.
"When tell you what have seen with
my own cycs," replied NJ. de Villiers, ''You
cry out exaggeration aud deception. You
Parisians who have never lost sight Of the
towers st. Sulpiee, except to make a journey
to Wiesbaden, or pass the harvest time in the
country, are naturally incredulous.
s ct is because we know nothing, inter
rupted yiscount, smiling. 1--WE offer you
our anea cnlpa, but recount us an adventure.
:sHenceforth we will believe everything"
they all added in chorus.
IF there was some one here" replied
Henri, siwho could criticise me, | would be
more at my ease. But fell you Of things
SO completely unknown"
Swear to nothing, viscount, said Cen
eral OfBrien, touching him on the shoulder
behind
~, Il ", ,,z-o<l IT A. y-;1l;or. s.Laro ,.,,
come back from the mountains, my excellent
friend!"
Il have seen some one who came back from
them, replied the general, Sand say this
especially because his narratives agree exact
lywith yours.
The features Of the yiseount Hea,i COP
tracted impcrceptibly, while he said
"W hat is the name of your traveller
George Leslie" answered the general.
turned quickly. and looked at George The
eyes Of George were fixed upon the Eiscount
Henri. He remained erect and immovable
in the corner Of the chimney. The express
ion of his face was SO strange that Helene re
NAMED with open mouth. contemplating him
s'Indeed," cried Madame the Warehouses
':Ayr George Leslie has seen wonderful lands
Let him, also; sAen. tell US his adventures p
At the name of George Leslie the Viscount
Henri had exhibited emotion, as if he feared
to hear another name produced. With a
smiling air, like the rest, he looked at the
stranger. He had time to gain the usual
expression Of his features.
II have no adventures madame replied
George, cor, at least, my adventures may be
told in few words. | have gone far off to
seek for gold-I have not found it,
These words were pronounced painfully,
and with timid accent,
See what fate is said the Viscount Hen
ri, Il, who have not sought for gold, have
found it by tons
Curiosity, which had been, for a moment,
excited by the stranger, fell fat. One would
have concluded that he could undergo the
pain of being questioned further. This young
man who could not speak without a blush
mounting to his cheek, was condemned with
out appeal. The marchioness turned round.
When Helene did the same. her eyes, for the
second time. met those of George Leslie, and
she trembled
can adventure An adventure p replied
the chorus Of curious viscountesses
Henri placed his hands under the skirts Of
his black coat. 1t was sign which was
meant to say ;.listen.' A murmer of salts
faction ran through the boudoir.
mo one can be better satisfied than am
to have witness" said the Yiscount Henri.
MAY / ask Mr. George Leslie on which SIDE
of the mountains he has opcratedS'
ssOn both sides answered George.
aNorth of Sacramento, or south of it 2
aBoth north and south"
| Everywhere, then Y
Everywhere
The Tiscount Henri slnilingly bowed, and
opened his pocket, in which appeared sort
Of poiegnard, encased in q sheath OF coarse,
twisted straw. The handle, Of black horn,
was covered witha profusion of ornaments
aIn that case" said he, does "Mr George
Leslie know this Z"
George advanced as if he wished to throw
himself upon the yiscount. lie restrained
himself, and answered coldly:
st is Golden Dagger
Henri drew out the knife The blade,
| large and sharp, wasof steel, inlaid with gold
The mounting was Of massive gold.
..Show it Show it = cried everybody, from
all directions.
1 Henri offered the knife to the Glafch!oness
and it passed from hand to hand At last q