The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-03-26

| 10 thop VIC Vail SNtt tIluil
promised TO tell you the reason of my
refusal sit beside me, Monsieur, upon
this rustic seat, and listen, while l re.
late what shall tear open afresh the
wounds of my own heart, and what
shall, perchance, cause chord In your
bosom to respond to the touch OF PHYS
fingers, for me-"
/ sat down beside her, and it was for
the last time. She then narrated to me
n story in, as nearly as can reproduce
them, the following words: g. t.....
Three years ago lived at Troyes, in
Champagne, with my father. was as
joyous and happy maiden as lived
anywhere In France. Ny friends said /
was as beautiful as picture of the Vir-
gin, and | myself knew that sang the
livelong day like bid. My father, as
you know, is u member OF that depart
mcnt of the Government which has the
care OF the mechanical interests Of the
Empire, and, consequently, has for
many years cultivated the society OF
such persons as are acquainted with the
parts and the practical workings of all
kinds of machines; and, while we lived
at Troyes, our visitors were chiefly men
of that class, whom my father would be
closeted with for hours, engaged i'll ma
king drawings and models. One of our
visitors was younggentleman, "a men,
ber OF one of the decayed families Of no.
bility. He, learned casually, came
also on business connected with my
fathers office. He soon began to be very
attentive to me, and he was all that was
good and noble. 1 gradually came to
love him; but, being naturally coquet
tish, when he offered me his heart and
hand, refused, although my heart was
bleeding for him all the time.
Oh, how he was stricken when told
him l would not love him and how he
went about talking with the air for
weeks! did not, however, cast him
Off no, no, loved him too we'll for
that. 1 gave him my sincere and sweet
est SMILES, knowing that after while,
would scrept him and then L would
frown and pout, just for the pleasure it
gave me TO see him temporarily miser-
able for my sake. Well, monsieur, /
would not tire you, and l will hasten.
M. AleXan Ire Gerard-for this was his
name--on three separate occasions, fell
upon his knees before me, and prayed
that would have mercy upon him |;
and for the third time, l affected to
spurn his offered hand. Still he flutter.
cd about me; but l could see that a
change had come over him. He was
not so light-hearted as formerly ; his
eyes began to appear grave, and l had
just come to the conclusion when he de-
clared his passion again to me would
accept, because knew I had pressed
him with coquetry about as far as was
safe.
just then Alexandra disappeared. He
was gone for more than q week, when
as expected, and as l had SO keenly
desired, came back. Now there were
smiles upon his beautiful features when
heasked Inc to ride with him, and l
was happy in the thought than when
he had driven to Some romantic spot he
would again request my hand, for
was sure Ishould not deny him again.
Oh, monsieur,it WAS heaven to me to
be thus near him again Ills soul seem-
ed to have divined the true state OF my
feelings for him; and all his words were
love for me, aud of the paradise OF a
home to which he would lake me.
After while we came to point
on one side, and my lover stopped tho
carriage. ...-'.. t.. .l'.
"Let us descend" said he, my own,
my darling; let us alight, and walk
among the shadows OF the grand old
forest, for here we may meet face to face
with Natures self, and hold sweet con-
verse with her"
Then we alighted from the carriage.
How suprernely happy was thus to be
alone with him that loved best of all
else on earth! leaned upon his arm.
He was strangely eloquent all the time
that we trod the mazes OF the woods.
Everything is beautiful" said he,
Everything ethereal; the earth, the
trees, sky, all, all are glittering. The
birds warble their softest songs, and the
flowers exhale their sweetest odors for
you. But oh none Of these will com
pare with the enhancing scenes and the
ravishing sounds that await you in the
enchanted home to which | shall ere
long bear you, my own, my darling
Marie. -"
Our walk led us to fairy spot where
grew many sweet flowers and one Of
them became more sweet, more price
less than the others, because Alexandra
plucked it and gave it to me-"
"Smell the fragrant bloom," said he,
"sweet Marie; it is odorous and fair,yet
not half so fair as YOU"
took the flower and smelt it.
"The scent is very sweet, indeed"
said.
"You love it, then, Marie" said he.
II have here the triple distilled extract
Of that same blossom" ...
And Alexandra took from his pocket
a vial of perfume, and poured some up
on white handkerchief. ...E 4
my love-" he said, "the odor Of the
flower is too gross for so angelic a be-
ing. Take you this handkerchief and
inhale the same fragrance, divested Of
all impurity, and concentrated. The ef-
feet you will find to be exhilarating-j
nay, spiritual" r......
could refuse no request of his now,
and complied.
remember that the odor was surpris-
ingly sweet, and the effect, as Alexan-
Dire had declared, exhilarating. 1t was
more, Intoxicating! continued to
breathe it. The more inhaled of it,
the more desired. Soon all things be-
gan to recede, growing smaller, like