Middletown transcript., 1868-06-13
Popular GALES.
Truth Stranger than Fiction.
A TRUE FRENCH ROMANCE.

Knowing that the general class of read
ers are more interested in tales founded
upon facts than fiction, we give the follow
ing sketch, which, although rivaling many
of those romantic pictures drawn by fiction
writer's, is vouched for by an old English
journal as being founded upon real life
occurrence, and merely polished by the
pen of the writer.
"a A newly-married couple had just come
from the altar, and were about starting on
a bridal tour as the following conversation
took place: The newly married husband
took one of his wife's hands in his own.
)" Allow me-" said he, " thus to hold your
hand, for dread lest you should quit me-
! tremble lost this be an illusion. 1t seems
to me that am the hero of one of those
fairy tales which amused me in my boy
hood, and which, in the hour of happiness,
some malignant fairy steps ever in to throw
the victim into grief and despair p
" Reassure yourself, my dear Ferderic,"
said the lady. ~ was yesterday the
widow Of Sir James Melton, and to-day l
am Madame de la Tour, your wife. Ban
ish from your mind the idea of the fairy.
Frederic de la Tour had, indeed, some
reason to suppose that his fortunes were
the work of a fairy's wand for, in the
course Of one or two short months, by a
seemingly inexplicable stroke of fortune,
he had been raised to happiness and wealth
beyond his desires. A friendless orphan,
twenty-five years old, he had been the
holder of a clerkship which brought him
scanty livelihood, when, one day, as be
passed along the Rue St. Honore, rich
equipage stopped suddenly before him,
and q young and elegant woman called
from it to him. Monsieur, Monsieur"
said she. ,e -...... ty
d. At the same time, on a given signal,
the footman leaped down, opened the car
riage door, and invited Frederic to enter.
He did SO, though with some hesitation
and surprise, and the carriage started off
at full speed. ,.5-I .......
" have received your note sir" said
the lady to M. do la Tour, in very soft
and sweet voice; "and in spite of refusal,
hope yet to see you Tomorrow evening
at my party"
=" To see me, Madame p cried Frederic.
&c Yes, sir, you All! thousand
pardons," continued she, with an air of
confusion. 81 see my mistake. Forgive
me, sir you are o like particular friend
What can you think of me? Yet the re-
semblance is SO striking that it would de-
ceive any one." ..t .....
Of course Frederic replied politely to
the apologies. .. .....
Just as they were terminated the car
riage stopped at the door of splendid
mansion, and the young man could do no
more than offer his arm to Lady Melton,
as the fair stranger announced herself to
be: Though English in name, the fair
lady, nevertheless, was evidently of French
origin: Her extreme beauty charmed M.
dc la Tour, and he congratulated himself
upon the happy accident which had gained
him such an acquaintance. Lady Melton
loaded him with civilities, and be was not
ill-looking certainly; but he had not the
vanity to think his appearance was mag
nifcent; and his plain and scanty ward
robe prevented him from doing credit to
his tailor. l........ .......,..', ,..a..
d, He accepted an invitation to the party
ssspoken of. Invitations to other parties
Followed; and, to be brief, the young man
soon found himself an established yisitant
rt the house of Lady Melton. She, rich
ana beautiful widow, was encircled by ad-
9lrers, One BY one they disappeared,
giving way to the poor clerk, who seemed
to sngross the lady's whole thoughts Fl
nlaally, almost by her own asking, they
were betrothed. Frederic used to look
sometimes at the glass which hung in his
humble lodging, and wondered 70 what
circumstance he owed his happy fortune.
He used to conclude his meditations by tbe
reflection that assuredly the lovely widow
was fulfilling some unavoidable award OIL
destiny. AS for his own feelings the lady
was lovely. young, rich. accomplished,
and noted for her sensibility and virtue
could he hesitate g?