The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-09-18

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blind. This family, reduced to the verge 0
misery, received one day the visit fan angel
The duchess mounted seven stories to tn
garnet where Madame Lemiere and her chill
dren suffered cold and hunger. From thi
time all was changed. Bread was no NOR
wanted in the house--the young girls workc1
and the boys went to school. The Marqui
de Villiers, anxious to be connected with
generous action askedsto have the eldest son
and promised to make future for him. Thi
eldest son was named Jcan--ana jean loyec
Madame the Duchess Of Rivas as the devoted
children Of Italy adore the Virgin, the mother
of God
Jean came, about two O'Clock in the after
noon, and asked for the duchess.
Suzanne and Dalmas wished to send hin
away. but he said II will wait" They went
to tell the duchess of it, and she ordered Jean
to be admitted whenever he presented him
SELF
The two waiting women looked at each
other
tean, the little servant, remained quarter
! OF an hour in conversation with the duchess
who had closed the door.
At six 'clocl. in the evening he came back.
Suzanne, who entered just as he was leav
ing, saw that the pen Of the duchess was wet
with ink. She had been writing.
.Jean came again at ten iu the evening and
there was some more writing done
The two waitiny-womcn were burning with
desire to hold a consultion on the subject,
but they had no chance. They both thought
that the viscount had made a master stroke in
taking the little Jean into his service.
At the moment when the duchess finished
her toilet Jean came for the fourth time.
Dalmas and Suzanne were turned out Of the
room. They would have given much to put
sheir ears to the key -hole but they controlled
their curiosity.
"IIave you carried the letter." asked the
duchess. s.ites, madame" answered the boy.
sand what news is there at your masters
house Z"
"Nothins: I have learned one thing the
valet dc chamber has received orders to let Mr..
George Leslie enter at midnight"
':What did the viscount do between the time
ofdeparture Of the general and the coming Of
Mr. George Lesle?"
"Ile practiced with lis pistol and his car
bine in the garden, and then he went to
sleep"
Have you at any time seen NJ. Benoit at
the viscount's house," AZ
"Neyer"
e'Jean, my boy" said the duchess, II thank
you You have paid me to-day more than
your mother owes me-"
"My mother has told NE" replied the little
servant, ''that my blood and my life belong to
madame the duchess and there was upon
his honest and intelligent face shade Of sad
ness.
You believe, do you no" said the duchess
s'that | have not done dishonorable act z"
''Oh.. y cried the boy, ''we all know at our
house that you are a saint" He stopped,
and lowering his eyes, resumed:
aMeanwhile-
aMeanwhile ~ repeated the duchess.
The forehead and cheeks Of the child were
covered with bushes.
'.Speak. jean [ desire it.
But she blushed also, and her eye lost its
proud look.
''It is favor I would ask of madame the
duchess" stammered the little servant. ''If
madame knows Of any situation,
''IIow is this jean Are you not satisfied
at the viscount's %
ooh, yes, madame he is good to me. -
'.Then-"
"It is just this, madame. l have been lack
ing to-day in my duty to him. I feel that I
cannot remain in his house"
The duchess of Rivas extended her hand
and drew him toward her "Jean," she said,
in low voice, .it was to avert sad misfor-
tune. You shall leave this man. You have
a noble heart, Jean, and will send you to
college. From to day you are MY SON
Tears came to the eyes of the boy, who
seemed more resigned than joyous. The
greater the offer seemed the more he felt re-
morse in his heart.
Co." resumed the duchess. Your mas
ter will leave at midnight and it is necessary
that you accompany him. Reeollect that if
YOU have anything to tell me tonight, you
must ask for me, though am surrounded by
princes. Go, Jean. IF you were Older [
would tell you my secret"
When the duchess was alone she remained
a long time immovable, her head supported
upon her hand. She was Very pale.
Il am right" she said at last, raising her
beautiful head; Il am right"
The mirror which was before her showed
her her face She looked at herself and re-
peated, Il am right"
ssAh, well, Monsieur Jean" said Dalmas
to tie boy, whom she stopped, s'you are now
man You are entrusted with missions OF
confidence"
Discretion is necessary: Monsieur Jean"
said Suzanne, carressilig him under the chin.
jean saluted them very pleasantly: and ran
of.
Eat that age 2 said the Madame Dalmas,
raising her eyes to heaven.
"It was madame the duchess" answered
Suzanne, s;who placed the boy with NJ. de
Viliers. You have read many romances
Madame Delmas-is there not one which
bears the title: 'sThe Countess Ilortcnse and
the Reward Of q Good Deed 7"
The duchess bell rang, and the two wait
ing-women threw themselves forward to an
swer the CALL They found the duchess calm
and smiling.
"Aly hair" she said:
It appears that madame the duchess had
at one time had that long hair which every
body wished her now to have. What she
now called Der hair was sort CT "camali