The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-07-21

At this tune JEAN Louis was On the
road to fortune and honor.
The Marquis of II c. had
at this time reached fifty-two years,
though he scarcely appeared forty.
He was fine looking, but hadled a
life of excess. A man of bonues for
tunes, desperate player, a sports
man eadaable, luck had perpetually
smiled upon him. But one morning,
he learned that his mistress, the
Countess B, had eloped with
one of his friends, younger than
himself. At first he was furious !;
then burst into laughter and went to
breakfast. At night at the club, he
played I'm jeu d'enfer, saying to him
self, ualucky in love, lucky III cards.
At two in the morning-he had lost
100000 francs. a is e
sab, ali !" said he, as he returned
home, sis the hour of retreat sound
ing?" The next day he took part in
9 steeple-chase of gentlemen riders.
He was thrown from his horse,
breaking his leg in two places. AS
they picked him up, he smiled and
cried Women, cards, horses, oil
have done with me clearly it means
retreat" s rs 1ag
At the end of d month he arose,
still dragging his limb While dress
ing, he looked at his hair, and turn
ing toward his valet de chamber :
Here wretch" he cried, "you did
not tell me that my hair was turning
gray"
Because" said that poor fellow
trembling, Monsieur would have
beaten me. Besides, before the ac-
cideht there We're but few, which I
concealed in dressing the hair
"Oh, oh!'' said the Marquis to
himself, as he threw himself upon
the fauteuil, "gray hairs and q limp
ing leg-it is worse than retreat.
1t means, the Invalides. must
marry" And then he gave way to
his reflection "To marry! to take
AN old woman? horror! a young
one2 They have. just taken my mis-
tress, and I have laughed at it. But
my wife-the devil! that would be
more serious" So
Two months afterwards, while
Jean Louis was at work in his atel-
Ter, his servant announced q visitor.
"Ask his name" I have, but he
says you do not know him." Twas
the Marquis. Hewas somewhat pale,
and looked with strange air at the
fine young man with frank coun-
tenance, who offered him seat, and
who said to him F" I must warn you
Monsieur, that; If it is to my paint
ings of the exhibition that I owe
your visit, they are sold and taken
away" "No, Sir, it is for a personal
affair."" said the Marquis, "that /
have taken the liberty to trouble you.
Monsieur" he continued, at have
just come from Torcy-sur-Aube,
where I saw your adopted parents,
and of whom I have learned your
history" 31.'.' z
Jean Louis Redeemed q little.
"What interest can my story have to
your My productions regafd The
public, as wish them to do but my
life regards myself, and, moreover,
my story involves no shame to me. .
II know it, sir so, if you viii per-
nit. I will instruct you as to some
passages Of it tina you do not know.
You are acquainted with the Mar.
quis de L. c."
"By name2 an old dandy, I be.
lieve, a hunter of green-rooms, o.
gambling-rooms, and Of the race
course"
The Marquis blushed and fesum
ed. @
"well, sir, in 1926, the Marquis
then %, had love affair with th.
wife Of a diplomatist, then on a mis-
sion to South America, where impor
tant events detained him. A chile
resulted from the connection. Tn,
event embroiled our two lovers no
that Madame de H feared tn,
scandal, but she was worldly wo
man, and her condition deprived he
of months of festivity and pleasure
She retired to await the event to al
estate che had in the Department 0
the Aube. and at tie appointed time
directed her servant to abandon tn
child OH the outskirts Of the village
She directed that upon the swathin
clothes should be pinned q locke
with the name of Jean Louis.
0Trdoa1 cold <ha po;rIo, uh,.