The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-09-10

mont, but he was by this time incapable OF
refusing Eugene anything. It Is likewise
possible that he might be stimulated py
some degree of curiosity. to become ac-
ouainted with the mysterious tnc0gnstG
| He promised to come the following day to
he introduced to Eugenies friend. The
night before this remarkable day, Eugene
made the following reflections:
"This young man evidently possesses
solid character and good heart. His fig
ure is not amiss. At first, indeed, he
seemed not to take particular notice of me,
but he has made ample amends for his in
attention. AS for my father, has he not
told me hundred times that this was my
affair, he can have no objection? From all
the information that l have obtained the
Young mans account of himself is strictly
true in every respect; but that was mani
fest enough at the first look. The frank
ness and sincerity of his behavior inspire
confidence like his candor, but does he
like mes Perhaps his heart is already en-
gagged o, no! no! in that case he would
not have eyed me with looks so Significant
that it is impossible to mistake their
meaning!"
Eugene slept but little, rose early,
dressed herself with more than usual care,
and was more fascinating than ever. Dn-
mont appeared and asked:
ais she not come yet?"
"Noi" replied Eugene, with some
emotion.
"Well, then, I'll wait"
He then took chair and seated himself
beside her, at the breakfast table. They
began to speak on various topics, but
somehow or other the conversation was
faI1 xrh rolya of lNnr f11od
with eloquent looks, alone intervened-
Dumont colored-he was sensible Of it,
and this consciousness would have quite
COMPOUNDED him had not Eugene blushed
too. This fiattered his heart and gave him
fresh courage.
q cannot help blessing the accident"
he at length began, ito which l am in
debted for your acquaintance"
Eugenie's downcast eyes were fixed on
her heaving bosom.
"Your kind behavior, sir, said she, ''has
made deep impression on me, and will
never be effaced from my remembrance"
His eyes were now cast down in their
turn, and a painful silence ensaed. At
length Dumont formed an heroic resolu-
ton.
al know not whether do right" said
he, but in truth can no longer disguise
my feelings, which you must, l dare say,
long since have guessed"
She had in reality long discovered them,
but in such cases women never have COM
passion enough to shorten poor fellows
embarrassment it Is absolutely necessary
to speak out in plain terms and thus Du-
mont, also, was at length obliged to pro-
nounce distinctly the word Love. No
sooner was this barrier, guarded by shame
and timidity, broken down, than the con-
versation proceeded in its usual rapid
course Inquiries were made respecting
each others taste, way of thinking, family
connections, and so forth; and answers
returned with such loquacious confidence,
such undisguised sincerity, till at length
Dumont recollected that the stranger was
not yet come.
"Neither will she GOMEZ" replied Eu-
genie.
Dumont's looks betrayed his surprise.
Will you be really angry" she resumed,
Z" if my whole story concerning my unfor-
tunate friend was q fabrication? If il
were invented to procure me, if possible,
the acquaintance of a man whose attach
ment to me should not flow from any i'm
pure source?"
Dumont was at once convicted-he
started, but without any appearance Oh
anger.
"Many suit,rs," continued Eugene,
"have solicited my hand, perhaps because
they thought me handsome, or because I
am rich None of them came up to the
model which my Imagination had pictured.
l lost my mother at an early age. My
father became my friend. He permitted
me to make this trial-rather bold one,
to be sure-to which, however, could
always give such turn as pleased !"
Dumont was almost petrified.
"Then my memorials"
"That," said she, 81 will preserve as an
honorable monument to your talents and
goodness of heart !"
~ And what do you mean to do with the
author?"
"To make him my husband if he con-
sents?"
Dumont sank at her feet, but she raised
him in her arms, and a glowing embrace
sealed the happiest union that was not
organized by Cupid, though, indeed, the
little urchin had seriously interfered in the
business. The first time they went abroad
together was to pay visit to the benevo-
lent Julia.