The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-13

The day came upon the earth the
next morning with all the rich and va
riod glories that dawn ever brings tn
sunny France. The landscape was
gorgeous with comnlingled tints of the
early sunbeams and the emerald of the
vegetation, and the groves were vocal
with the glad carols of the birds; but
there was no joy in it all for me. The
sun assembled to its fervid meridian,
and 'slowly-oh, so slowly passed
over westward in all its golden SPLEEN
dor: declined, finally, and sank below
the horizon, like great fiery ball.
That day seemed to last for hundred
years.
Just at the setting of the sun, I leap
ed oyer the wall ofthe fence belonging
to Marie's father. She was there, faith
full as ever to her promise.
ooh, speak, Marie!" cried, wildly.
"speak quickly, and say you did but
trifle with my feelings yesterday. Say
that I may yet have hope that you will
one day be mine"
calais !" she replied, "Monsieur Ray
nor, you know not how impossible it is
that we can ever be more than friends.
] promised to tell yon the reason of NY
refusal /; sit beside me, monsieur, upon
this rustic seat, and listen, while / re-
late what shall tear open afresh the
wounds of my own heart, and what
shall, perchance, cause chord.in your
bosom to respond to the touch Of PHYS
fingers, for me-"
sat down beside her, and it was for
the last time. She then narrated to
me story, in as nearly as can repro
duce them, tie following words:
"Three years ago lived ut Troves,
lin Champagne, with my father. l was
as joyous and happy maiden as, lived
anywhere in France my friends said l
was as beautiful as picture Of the
Virgin; and /, myself, knew that l
sang the livolong day, like bird. My
fatler, as you know, is member OF
that department of the government
which has the care of the mechanical
interests of the empire, and, conse-
queltly, has for many years cultivated
the society of such persons as are ac-
quainted with the parts and the prac-
teal workings of ali kinds of machines,
and, while We lived at >Troves, our Wis
TORS were chiefly men of that class
whom my father would be closcted with
for hours, engaged in making drawings
/ and models. One of our visitors was q
young gentleman, a member of one OF
the decayed families of nobility. He,
learned casually, came also upon bust
ness connected with my fathers office
He soon began to be very attentive tr
me, and as he was all that was good
and noble, l gradually came to love
him. But, being naturally coquettish
when he offered me his heart aud hand
refused, although my heart was bleed
ing for him all the time.
ooh, how he was stricken when
told him would not love him! and
how he went about talking with tn,
air for weeks! did not, however
cast him off; nay, loved him too wei
for that. l gave him my sincere ant
sweetest smiles, knowing that, after ;
While, I would accept him and then
would frown aud pout, just for thu
pleasure it gave me to see him tempo
Tarily miserable for my sake. Well
monsieur, I woald not tire you, ant
will hasten. M. Alexander Gerard
for this was his name-on three sepa
rate occasions fell on his knees befor,
me, and prayed that would have mer
cy upon him and for the third time
affected to spurn his offered hand
; Still he fiuttered about me but I-conlt
see that a change had come over him
He was not so lisht-hearted as former
ly; his eyes had begun to appear grave
and mad just come to the conclusion
that, when he declared his passion
again to me l would accept, because
knew that pressed him with coquetr,
about as far as was safe.
"Just then Alexander disappeared
He was gone for more than week
when, as | expected, and as / had S
keenly desired, he came back. Nov
there were smiles upon his beautiful
features when he asked me to ride wit
him, and l was happy in the though
that, when we had driven to some 70
mantle Spot, he would again request q
me my hand, for l was sure shoul
not deny him again.
ooh! monsieur, it was heaven to m
to be thus near him again! His sou
seemed to have OWNED the true stat
of my feelings for him; and all hi
words were of love for me, and of tn
paradise of home to which he woul'
take me.
"After a while we came to q poin
where the forest bordered the road up
on one side, and my lover stopped tn
carriage.
j "Let us descend" said he, "my owr
my darling; let us alight, and wal