The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-05

u, with MS experience, nho AZ nfSt
imagined that the story of the young widow
was but a feigned one, aud was preparedto
discover an adventures in the very pretty
woman who had selected him from all the
actors to be her teacher. But Clara's mo-
desty, her refinement, her education, and
her accomplishments, had convinced him,
strange as it may be, that she had spoken
the truth.
O. was charmed, aud 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 i'm comparison with her, and
each year that added to his name would
add TO his fortune.
Why should she not be his wife2
This wasthe question he asked himself
one morning, and which, two hours after,
he repeated to Clara.
II will be II wife" she said. "You
are not afraid of q poor wife without q
dowry; ont now, in ali the happiness hat is
before me, / have one deep regret"
'Regret, Clam2'
Yes, l have deceived you"
Deceived met exclaimed O., scrut-
inizing Clara. 'In what way2'
II can not tell you now. Promise to get
into the carriage | shall send for you to the
theatre, and obey the directions of the ser
want who will accompany 1t, and you shall
know all.
o. promised, but IL was startled
Could he have been the dupe ofsome adroit
%lorette2 They, he knew, were recruited
from all classes, and were such actresses as
no stage had ever produced.
n -Iu.aI a.wv- IalI.s NI.N vg.IN a,T
would even have forgotten the words had
il required any effort Of the memory TO re-
tain them; but, having said the same thing
for a hundred and seventy-fye consecu-
two nights, they were so stereotyped upon
his mind thatthey came to his lips mechan-
ically.
At last the task was over; his dress re-
quired no change the carriage was there,
and o., trembling with impotence and
suspense. got into il. The carriage, Of
course, drove to the Hotel de Florac, aud
in the vestibule o. was received by n
row of ~lacqueys, in full livery. The valet
lie chambre, throwing open the door, ush-
cred him through a long suite of magniii-
cent rooms, brilliantly illuminated, but un-
occupied, till at length a last door was
thrown open, and, in a beautiful and per
hmed boudoir, the bewildered actor found
himself in the presence of Clara. Helook-
ed at her, as she stood in her pink MORE
dress, with diamonds on her arms, and
sparkling in her bright chestnut hair. He
gazed in silence, scarcely feeling she was
the woman he loved.
''Who are your" he exclaimed at last, as,
overcome by his emotion. he sank back into
n chair. "Who are your
'Your wife" said Clara, kneeling before
him and putting her arms around him.
'NOt yet, said O. "What do they
call you now2'
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. She moved not. A vague fear
was at her heart.
Comtesse, - said he, with emotion, "forgive
me-
Henri, said Clara, rising, what do you
mean?'
"Do not call me Henri, " said o., in
constrained voice, and taking her hand.
"All that must be forgotten. You can
not be my wife. An nctor-an actor at a
second-rate theatre, too-becomes poor
from the moment he ceases to be an actor,
dependent upon his wife, whom he idolizes,
yet whom he idolNtes from her family, de-
grades from her station of rank, whom he,
poor child Of chance, las ne family 10 shell
ter her, and scarcely II name with which TO
endow her. No, my beloved such love as
ours can be but a day dream. Do not weep;
do not forget mo; do not hate me because
1 love you too well to cheat you of your
self"
Il, too, have loved you disinterestedly,
for yourself alone, and Henri, I can never
love but you"
Perhaps, said o; 'but women in
your station have so much 10 supply the
place of love. Parting from me now, Clara,
will be but a passing cloud TO marry me
would be the sorrow of life. FAREWELL
Here is your portrait that might betmy
you. Give me the lock of your hair and
this ring from your fnger-it is a 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
memorable, and tore himself from her en-
brace.
Nine. de Florac was inconsolable for two
months. The third she grew weary ofBoli-
tude, and went to n grandfancy ball, in the
costume Of Niobe, but not 'Rll in tears"
for there she met an attache Of the Russian
Embassy, and was all smiles.
Soon after the invitations for the mar
riage Of the Countess de Florac and Prince
NJ were issued. The Prince. with the
magnihcence offs 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 a sigh
and smile, burnt the lock Of hair, but kept
the ring, which he always wears.
'They IRE like this ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
the great world" he would say to himself:
brilliant and rejecting all things, but
feeling nothing. In three months she has
forgotten her love-in three months she
would have wearied of her husband. Now
she is grateful that l did not marry her,
and 30 / have loved her for herself,