Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-19

i crime aid bloodshed-he yet clung to it as in
his. first honr of youthful enthusiasm, and
trusted everything 10 its power when the first
iutoxicatioE should have passed away, apd be
succeeded by an age of reason and nationality.
Lestelle loved her husband too well not to
have imbibed his principles; and the costly
saloons Of Ia belle cheyenne, as she was called,
were nightly .hronged with the leading poitl-
cal characters of the times. But Lestello was
no longer girl, laughing from the overflow
ines of gladsome spirit her smiles we're
less frequent, and had often purpose to
answer which those who looked upon her fair
and bright face never dreamed OF. There
was many q. proud aristoerat who, althoughhe
knew it not, owed life and fortune TO that
beautiful and resistless pleader. ~ .ssi 8
The only cloud that rested on the happiness
of Lestele was occasioned v the scrupulous
reserve of Aubertin oD :. affairs connected
with her p.., .,r could her fondness
and devotion remove the unpleasant feeling
which consciousness of bis total dependence
upon bis wife was likely to engender in his
proud and sensitive spirit and although she
tried to obviate, the difficulty by q liberality
which panied far more than it pleased him,i
still there were moments when be bitterly
felt the want of funds which could only be
drawn through her instrumentality, and which
he would have died rather than asked for.
Of late it had been observed that Lestelle
was much altered; she would sit for hoursin
an attitude Of deep thought, and was peevish
and abstracted when reused, as if the plans
which she was evidently arranging in her own
mind required the concentration. Of every
thought and energy. She. would be absent,
too, for hours together, no one knew where.
accompanied only by her attendant-sEe, the
gentle, and timid, who, but few months be-
fore, had feared to venture from home with
out the protection of her husband. But Au.
bertin, although he felt the alteration, asked
m questions he had too much faith in her
affection to have the remotest idea of the
fearful shock that awaited him.
One morning, contrary to her usual custom,
Lestelle took ber breakfast in ber own apart
ment, sending message by her maid, re
ouesting the presence Of her husband at
twelve exactly in her boudor; ard Aubertn,
not being able at the moment to invent any
decent excuse for refusing to comply with her
request, reluctantly promised to attend her at
the hour appointed, determined that the
meeting should be as brief as possible, as he
imagined that it merely related to matterso of
pecuniary nature, subject Of which be
always entertained a nervous horror.
ais it possible" thought Claude, that she
can have generously anticipated my wish TO
possess sufficient funds at my disposal to
prove of beneficial service to our country?
And yet, even if itwere so and her guardian
consented, ! would never accept them!"
AT the appointed time, Aubertin presented
himself at the door of his wife's boudoir, the
first glance at which confirmed bis previous
suspicious as to the purport Of bis visit Les
telle vas not there, but NJ. Dumont-the
same whom he had met once before at her
guardian's-stood bending over q very busi-
ness like sheet of parchment.
spray, be scuted, Monsieur" said the lit.
tie notary "Madame Aubertin will be here
directly"
Claude bowed coldly, and took the offered
chair in silence.
"Glorious times, Monsieur !' said Dumon:,
rubbing his withered hands together; " glo-
rious times we live in now! The age Of lib
crty in every sense Of the word !"
Claude acguicsced by another bow.
"You have doubtless heard Of the new law
Of revolutionary divorcc?" continued NJ. Du-.
mont; "a very good-a very excellent law,
Mouslcur!' p
"a very convenient one, should think
replied Aubertin, laughing in spite Of himself
at the solemnty with which tie old man
spoke,
"Claude Aubertin," said the notary, after
q pause, IL am man Of lew words--a man
of business-and it is as well TO come to the
point at once. Lestclle would avail herself
of this opportunity to be divorced from yoa,
and has purposely left us together in order
that might inform you of her wishes. to
which she entreats that you will cfler NO OPP
position"
"Accursed liar it is false ~ exclaimed tbc
euraged husband; ~ will never believe it,"
"Claude," said gentle voice by his side,
" as hope for your forgiveness hereafter, he
has spoken nothing but the truth And
now for both our sakes let this scene be
brief one; at future time all shall be ex-
planned, If you will only sign the paper that
sets me free to act as please"
.Lestelle 7" exclaimed the bewildered Au-
bertin "can it be my Lestelle-or do /
dream? What have / done that you should
deceive me thus2 Have l denied You aught
in reason? Have loved you less? Have l
ever spoken one harsh, ono unkind word to
YOU, that did not strive the next moment to
atone for, and obiterate from your memory
by nv carcsses? Have not for your sake
prostrated my proud spirit, aud dared the
sneers of the world ay, and deserved them
for trusted-I consented to be dependent
upon a woman-and now she scorns, despises,
deserts me-"
"Dumont" said Lcstelle looking impo-
ringly towards him, II cannot bear thisr
Aubertin had forgotten the presence Of The
little notary, but he now looked proudly up,
and recovering his usual calmness, said -
zone more question, aud will sign. Les
telle, as you hope in Heavens mercy, do you
this deed willingly ?"-
~ do said the girl, family.
"And our divorce will insure your happi-
ness 2"
at will'm she replied more firmly.
cThen be it so" But as the pen trembled
in his hand, he looked once pore upon the.
flushed countenance Of her who was so soon
to be lost to him forever, and added, in
hoarse voice, "Do you remember the last
deed we signed in this mans presence?"
Perfectly" replied Lestelle; and it is
that recollection which gives me strength to
act as 1 ain doing"
Adbertin bent down his head, and hot
tear fell upon the parchment but there were
no traces of it as he returned the document,
with low bow, to the trembling girl.
"You are obcyed, n,ademoisellc!" !" said ne,
With mocking smile, as he moved rapidly
towards the door.
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