The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-12-29
Selett Storu.
Frcm Pcterson's Magazine.)
DFATH IN LIFE.
By AGNUs JAMES

''For love is strong as death: jealousy is
cruel as the grave"
The soft September sunlight fel
witt, mellow evening upon TIE gray
walls and broad terrat es st HautIieu
The old chateau itself was sombre
1 SEA s.nIsafirrsA Aaz-n <prisssl.Z ZbitS ier
parks and terraces were very lovely
in the fair light Of evening. The
brilliant flowers glowed in their mar
bic vases, the fountains tinkled mu
sically in their wide basins, the shad
ows of the great oaks heightened and
deepened into the emerald grass.
1t was the sweetest, idlest, dreami-
est of weather, and the great chatteau
seemed to have fallen asleep in its
noontide of splendor," and to be slum
bering still, so profound was the quI-
ct that rciSned within and around it
But one living figure appeared amidst
this love'y scene. Up and down
the terrace gIlded lady, passing
through shadow and sunlight with
bowed head, and loosely, liztlessly,
claspcd hands. Her rich dress of
pearl-gray silk, with gay trimming of
scarlet velvet, swept in gorgeous
train over the grass. Rare, filmy
lace covered her White neck and arms
and the sunlight that fell upon her,
fingered, quiveIipg and glowing, in
the hearts of the blood,red rubies
that hung in her cars, fastened the
lace on her bosom, and encircled her
slender throat and rounded arms
These were the ''Hautlicu rubies-
priceless, peerless; drops Of restless,
undying flame, and their wearer WAS
the young Narquise de HautIieu--
The "Child Marqnise," they had call
ed her at court whittier she had gone
not six months before, just from her
convent school. glowing with the
roses of youth, health. and Eigh
spirits, radiantly beautiful young
girl of sixteen, and the bride of Il man
ofsixty years. -.... ..,. ...
She was the only chile of gentle
man who had dissipated an immense
fortune by n series o: wild extrvagan-
ces, and had died leaving his widow |
and daughter in utter destitution.
Madame de Beranger, a gentle, |
timid woman, bowed down with grief |
and despair, saw no refuge but the
for herself and her child;
and it was with untold emotions OF
gratitude and joy that she listened to
made to her by the Marquis
de Hautlieu, a powerful and wealthy
friend of her husband.
These proposals were for the hand
Of her young daughter, not yet four
teen, but already renowned for her
beauty, her intelligence, and her
vivacity. Mademoiselle de
Beranger was placed in a convent, by :
.he Marquis, for the completion of her
.ducation, and her mother, mean
while, lived in the enjoyment of everv
luxury the wealth and respectful af-
ection OF the marquis could supply.
Co the young Vivienne he was kind
md gentle as q father; to Madame s
lie Beranger as thoughtful and de-
-oted brother, So the child was {
'ery happy when, after two years in {
he convent, she came to court with t
ler gray-haired husbands happy as ,
bird set free; and the stately gar
lens of the palace echoed with her
lear laughter and singing, and the :
ound of her flying footsteps. o.: It
She set all decorum at defiance /;
he shocked the grave mistress Of GER t
into speechless despair and ,
he decorous court-bred beauties |
'ursed up their rosy lips, and looked
scorn and wonder. But i
he gay cavaliers raved about, her
parking hazel eyes, her bronze
rown waving hair, that almost swept G
he ground when in some wild, child j
sh race or game she had shaken it S
rom its fastening, and it fell glitter s
,g around her, about her cheek, with i