The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-08-21
UNION, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST a. 1861

"A gentleman dlShOnOred, he though
aloud, "falls lower than any other man."
\ There was a great noise among the foa
ing masses of ice in the river. It SCENE
} that they were freezing to each other. The
there was profound silence The ice stor
ped running under the bridge, and the para
lyzed river became still and motionless. TIL
Seine lost, at once, its movement, its voice
and its reflection.
This moment, when the cold arrested tn
river, had something striking in it. TIL
heart stood still in seeing this spectacIe-thi
war between the cold and the current. I
was one Of those polar nights when the Pari
sian prefers the cornor of his fireplace.
The viscount remained for a moment dis
tracted by his thoughts.
s;See the giant throttled," said he. eth
hand Of God is strong"
"Thus it is with man., he pursued. "For
tune serves him for an instant. The cours.
of his life is smooth and easy This is hi
summer. But the hour comes when Fate
changes. Destiny seizes him as with the
claws of vulture. lie struggles in vain
His blood congeals, aud his spirit dies. Il
is winter"
eBut," he resumed exposing his naked
head to the cold wind, ssthe river, awaking
will burst its barriers. Spripg-time succeeds
to winter Man has his seasons Of unhappi-
ness and joy have overcome very difficult
obstacles since came to the age of reason.
do not believe my hour is yet come, and ]
will fight with all my power before acknowl-
edge myself conquered"
ID L .,,ko
must know what to say and what to do, for
that man is coming"
He reused himself and took a few steps
upon the foot-path, but his brain rebelled
against the effort Of his will
ut is very true that she resembles Ellen"
thought he with a feeling of terror, aand I
believe that I love her perhaps because she
is the only woman who never trembled under
my look She has accepted me for a husband;
but how different it was with Ellen. Ellen
loved me"
"My ears tingle," he said, interrupting
himself again, and leaning back against the
parapet to keep from falling. 'sWho then
has, called me thief and scoundrel 2"
Thus he remained for several minutes, his
head bowed upon his breast
sMonsieur le Viscount," said voice near
him, s'here I am. I obey your orders" Geo.
Leslie, clothed in mantle, was at his side.
Il am waiting for you," stammered Henri.
Then he. added, without knowing that he was
speaking: II love her It is certain that I
love her.
sAh, well, Monsieur Viscount," said Geo.
mildly, $50 much the better, since she is 60
ing to be your wife. When is the wedding Z"
.sGive me your arm, and let us Co." said
Henri, without answering the question.
sLet us Co." repeated Leslie. ssThese are
good nights to talk about matters. One is al
most certain Of not being interrupted by the
curious" e]t
He passed the arm of the viscount under
his own, and felt him tremble.
"Ah," said he, 'syou put on bold face at
the Hotel de Boistrudap. If you are sick
now, let us postpone the interview until to
morrow. have time. Do you wish that l
conduct you to your house 2"
The yiscount quickened his step, and said
Il am coldv'
'.Ten degrees" replied George. cit was
colder than this the day when we met at the
foot Of the Golden Dagger"
Henri trembled violently and stopped.
sAt this moment" he said, with difficulty,
"a child could kill me. Profit by your ad-
vantage, if you are the Count de Rosen."
Leslie smiled. II was sure that you would
have this idea" he said.
ssYou say" stammered the viscount, "that
VIC met at the foot Of the Golden Dagger"
ssLook at me well-do you not recognize
me?"
They were passing then under the solitary
gaslight which lighted the Place du Carrous
ell The viscount had not risked much in
speaking Of murder, for this place, open and
surrounded with sentinels, was not fayora-
BILE one for an American duel.
George took off his hat, and presented his
face in the light Of the gas-lamp. Henri
looked at it attentiyely. What he regarded
most was the lower part Of his forehead and
around his eyelids. 5s.ss ~
"Nothing" he murmured. "Can 1t be
possible that neither the wound nor the treat
ment has left tn least trace p
"You are always thinking of the Count
Rosen," said Leslie, with hooking smile
"You are in the best frame OF mind that l
could desire. I have come from the land Of
gold as poor as Job. / believe that luck has
turned, and that shall make my fortune
this night. Have you looked at me enough!''
"Let us co." replied Henri. 81 do not re-
cognize YOU But you are not the Count Al
bert Of that / am sure"
eff we're the Count Albert, asked Leslie,
Eat how much would you repurchase your
life?" -3
eve will talk about that presently. Come"
He carried him in the direction Of Rue de
Rohan. George perceived that he straighten-
ed up, and that his step became frccr
You are cured sir" he said. "Be good
enough to tell me where you are carrying
me-"
care you afraid ?" asked the viscount,
whose voice had become firm
cas- to that, nor
eDo YOU wish to make fortune, as you
said just now 2"
Very earnestly"
"Follow me then, and do not ask me any
questions.
George Leslie obeycd and kept silent.
They assembled Rue Richclieu, which was
completely deserted Then La6tte, and then
Martyr street. The viscount marched now
with firm step. Near the barrier of Martyr
street he stopped and let fall the arm OF Les