Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-03-10

discover an adventures ia the very pretty
woman who had selected him from oil the
actors to be her teacher But ClarnPs mo-
desty, her refinement, her education, and
her Accomplishments, had convinced him,
strangeas 1t may be, thot she had spoken
the truth. g
o. was charmed, and before long fell
desperately in love with the beautiful,
modest and intelligent woman, so totally
unconscious of her superiority over the rest
Of her sex, particularly that portion which
he usually saw. The widow was poor, but
he was-rich in comparison with her, and
each year that added to his name would
add to his fortune.
Why should she not be his wife2
This was the question he asked himself
one morning, And which, two hours after,
he repeated to Clara.
81 will be youF wife, she said "You
are not afraid OLA poor wife without q
dowry; put now, inllfthe happiness that is
before me, I have one, deep regret. I
"Regret ClAEa3sEF
''Yes, | have deceived you"
Deceived mep exclaimed O., scrut-
inizing Clara. "In what way2"
II can not tell younow. Promise to get
into the carriage / shall send for you to the
theatre, and obey the directions Of the eer.
want who will accompany it, and you shall
know all.
o. promised, but it was startled. :
Could he have been the dupe of some adroit
lorette? They, he know, were recruited
from all classes, and were such actresses as
no stage had everproduced.
o. played very badly that night and
would even have forgotten the words had
it required any effort Of the memory TO re-
tain them; but, having said the same thing
for q hundred and seventy-tve consecu-
tive nights, they wersBo stereotyped upon
his mind thatthey came tohis lips mechan-
ically.
At last the task was over; his dress re-
quired no change the carriage was there,
and O., trembling with impatience and
suspense, got into 10 The carriage, OF
course, drove to the Hotel de Florac, and
in the vestibuleU- was received by a
row of lacqueys, in full livery. The valet
de chambre throwing open the door, ush-
cred him throhghz long suite of magnif-
cent rooms btilliantlyilluminnted, but un-
occupied, tilfAt length last door was
thrown open, and ina beautiful and per-
ftimed boudoir, the bewildered actor found
himself in the presence Of Clara. He look
ed at her, as she stood in her pink moire
dress, with diamonds, on her arms, and
sparkling in her bright chestnut hair He
gazed in silence, scarcely feeling she was
the woman hesloVed.E9
"Who are youE he exclaimed at last, as,
overcome by his emotion. he sank back into
q chair "Who are you?"
"Your wife, said Clara, kneeling before
him, and putting her arms around him.
'Not yet, said O.. "What do they
call you now2" h,.
"The Countess de Florac, said Clara de
Florac, almost afraid to pronounce the title,
O. bent down and buried his face in
the masses of her hair. She felt his lips
upon her forehead, but they were cold and
trembling. Shemoved not, A vague fear
was at her heart.
Comtesse, said he, with emotion, "forgive
me" d. ta{
"Henri, said Clara, rising, "what do you
mean2"
''Do not call me Henri, said O., in
constrained voice, aud taking her hand.
"All that mus be forgotten. You can
not be my wife. tAn actor-an actor at a
second-rate theatre, too-becomes poor
from the moment he ceases to be an actor,
dependent upon his wife, whom heidolizes,
yet whom he idolntes from her family, de-
grades from her station of rank, whom he,
poor child of chance, has no family to shell
ter her, and scarcely name with which to
endow her. No my beloved! such love as
ours can be but day dream. Do not weep;
do not forget mo; do not hate me because
I love you too well to cheat you of your
self"
II, too, have loved you disinterestedly,
for yourself alone, and Henri, can never
love but you."
"Perhaps," said O.; "but women in
your station have 80 much to supply the
place Of love, Parting from me now Clara,
will be but passing cloud; to marry me
would be the sorrow offs life FAREWELL
Here is your portrait; that might betray
you. Give nae the lock Of Your hair and
this ring from your fnger-it is diamond.
The smooth, soft hair will recall my Clara
the ring the Countess de Florac, and so
both loves shall be united in one.
Clara wept and implored, but o. was
inexorable, and tore himself from her EN-
brace.
Nine. de Florac Was lnconsolable for two
months. The third she grew weary OF soil
tude, and went to grand fancy ball, in the
costume of Niobe, but not call in tears"
for there she met an attache of the Russian
Embassy, and was oil smiles
Soon after the invitations for the mar
riage of the Countess de Florac and Prince
M we're issued. The Prince. with the
magnifcence of o Russian, took boxes at
the theatres for the Season, but Nine. de
Comtesse declared that she hated every
thing but opera, and would never see an
other play.
O. heard of the Wedding with n sigh
and smile, burnt the lock of hair, but kept
the ring, which he always wears.
'"They are like this diamond-women Of
the great world" he would soy to himself
brilliant and rejecting all things, but
feeling nothing. Inthree months sh has
forgotten her love-in three months she
would have wearied Of her husband. Now
she is grateful that did not marry her,
and so ! have loved her for herself,