Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-11-11

received visit from his uncle. New
propositions on the part Of the young
widow, renewed reflections on the part
of D'0rville.
Chow odd is my lott" said he to
himself. ssA womap who has never
seen me has determined to espeuse me.
and am determined in loving woman
whom have never seenl 1t would
seem that they have combined to en-
rage me. the one by her silence, the
other by her opportunities.
Whether he had OWNED justly or
not, the two ladies continued the same
course. and poor D'OrvilIe, after hav-
ing vainly waited for news of his dear
unknown during three entire weeks, de-
livered himself from the prosecutions
of his uncle. by leaving Paris. He had
communicated his project to one of his
friends, who secured him mansion two
leagues from the city. There he took
refuge, without other company than
that of La Fleur, his valet de cham
bre.
One day as he was walking in the
neighboring woods. he saw two young
peasant girls seated under a tree. The
propriety and even elegance of their vii
lage habit attracted at once, his re-
CARDS. One held book, which she
appeared TO read with interest. The
other, her elbows on her knees, and
her face resting on her hands, was in
the attitude of one who listens. The
whiteness of her hands reminded him
of his unknown's.
"Heaven s'' cried he, eff the face
should correspond"
The exclamation interrupted the
reading.
"My sister, Babetl Get up. Some
body is here"
Babet rises confused, and discovers
such beautiful and iugenius features
that the brush of Creme alone could
give an idea of their grace.
What discovery for romantic i'm
agination! So much beauty, and in a
forest, how irresistible! D'Orville had
not even the desire to resist.
Enchanted by an adventure so com
Portable to his character, he yields
without effort to his romantic inclina-
ton.
"Whoever you may be-" said he to
the villagers do not be alarmed at my
presence l do not come to trouble
your solitude, nor your innocent pleas
ure, but allow me to share them, and
be sure that will not abuse your con-
fdence."
This speech was not brilliant, but it
was pronounced in tone so timid that
it had effect; for in love timidity is al
ways persuasive. Babet and her COM
panion, treasured little by little, con-
sent to resume their places on the
grass, and the happy D'Orville obtains
permission to seat himself near them
He requests them to continue their
reading; but Nicole, the elder, prefers
D'Orville learns from
her that she is the widow of the far
mer of the land of which her friend is
the owner, that she remains there with
her cousin Babet; that this poor Babet,
although nearly eighteen, had not been
able to find husband who suited her;
that in truth she wase little difficult to
please; that she would wish such an
intended as we read of in story books,
but everybody cannot expect that good
fortune.
"That shall be your fortune, Babet,"
said D'Orville, in a low tone, eff your
heart can respond to mine"
Nicole was willing to continge a
which could not but be
interesting since Babet was its sub
iect, when the shadows began to
gather, and warned them to retire, af-
ter promising to meet at the same place
the next evening.
D'Orville returned home, gave him
self up to all the ideas which a like ad-
venture could create in romantic
mind. He directed La Fleur to go
early in the morning to inquire after
the health of the two cousins, to in
form himself of their manner of liv-
ing, and above all, to discover if Ba-
bet had any secret inclination. The
skillful valet fulfilled his commission to
the delight of his master, and returned
with the most satisfactory report.
The evening came at last, and the
two villagers appeared at the same
place.
La Fleur gives his arm to Nicole;
D'Orville profits by the example, and
offers his to Babet. The promenade is
long without being fatguing. Dor
Vile speaks of love, and she listens.-
On the morrow this conversation is re-
peated, and although repeated, becomes
still more interesting. From day to
day love makes new progress, and Ba-
bet finally makes the confession which
completes the happiness of her lover
Upon this touching avowal O'Orville
decides, without hesitation, to brave
the preiudices of birth and fortune,
and to follow blindly all the feelings of
his heart.
He flies to the chateau to give La
Fleur orders to make preparations for
a fete ehampetrs, where Love and Hy-
men should preside. Suddenly the
noise of carriage is heard in the
court 1t is our Uncle.
"There you are found at last" said
the good man, throwing himself into an
armchair. "Is it thus one should
quit his relations, his friends, his mis-
tress, to bury himself in the woods?-
l have learned of your pranks, of your
little flirtations at the opera bal"
"Howl my uncle. you know"
81 know all, but l pardon you
Learn that the charming unknown
with whom you are so much in love, is
no other than Madame de Faven-
tine"
Heavens! Can it be possible?"
"ohl very possible. and to convince
you of it will hear it from her own
mouth, for she has come with me-"
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