Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-01-05
THE LAST TRICK or A PAGE.
From the French.

In ITO, at Versailles, lived the Mar
quits Of Charnay--a gallant nobleman--
who, forty-fve years before, had been
one Of the Young pages OF Louis XIV.
The Marquis, in his youth, had been
one Of the most dissipated mobiles Of the
court He had been favorite with oil
the various mlstresses of his sovereign;
had been friend OF Madame de Pom
padour, and follower Of DubaTy; and
growing gray IN pursuit Of pleasure,
grew weary of the chase and reformed.
BY way OF alternating the hardships
of reformation, he married young and
beautiful woman, whose union with so
venerable a spouse afforded much mer-
riment to the courtiors of that excellent
monarch, Louis XIV, who, like his
subject had grown old, but, unlike HIM,
had not grown virtuous.
Doubtless the Marquis ran the same
risk as all men who mate their bleak
December with beauteous May; but he
was still handsome, accomplished and
witty; and, to gam the affections of
his young wife he was determined to
put forth Ell his attractions
Happily for him she was disposed to
be pleased and he, being neither jeal-
GUS nor careless, succeeded in inspiring
her, ifnot with passionate love, with a
sincere and respectful attachment. He
made no stern regulations for her de-
pertinent; she was allowed to receive
visitors without restraint, and the Hotel
de Charnay was us attractive as youth,
beauty, wealth and station could make
it; while the tone Of society That fre-
quented its mistress was in perfect har-
mony with the age and dignity of her
husband.
Among the lorlhnGa admitted to the
Hotel de Charuay was the Baron de
Breuteull, u young officer who was
making his entrance into society, and
who, for the very reason that he had no
record wherowith TO frlghten the scru-
pies of Il woman of principle, was the
very sort Of u man Should he under
tuke to grow sentimental) that might
also grow TO be dangerous.
He was tall and graceful, had melan-
choly eyes, couvorsed III melodious
demi-tones, aud was given to gentle
pressures Of hands. The MARQUIS de
Charnay saw with terror that the young
officer was falling III love with his
wife; and his heart beat with apprehen-
sion, when following this discovery, he
perceived that the Marchioness was
losing her appetite and her emb0n-
point, and was looking weary and dis
pirlted. Her husband was quite as
much concerned at Ter detection as at
has suspicious OF its cause He was
gust as anxious to make her happy as to
be happy himself
After revolving n his head CITY
schemes, each one leaving him more
perplexed than before, he conceived the
novel idea of making an appeal to de
Breteuil and, by generous candor,
awaken y reciprocal generosity in the
heart of the young man himself.
With this intention he drove TO the
Baron's lodging. He had Just finished
the elaborate toilet with which he was
accustomed to arm himself for CON
quest in his daily visits to the Hotel de
Charnay, and, in the fulluess Of salts
faction, was thinking he was more at
tractlve and MISUNDERSTANDING than
usual
an. de Breteuil, began the Marquis.
"you are falling IN love with nv wife
You are violating the sanctity of hap
Ply home, and, in the thoughtlessness
Of extreme youth, are periling the
happiness Of an excellent and virtuous
woman Were / younger man, my
tone would be different, perhaps but
have lost my agility as q swordsman.
sir, and cannot measure weapons with
you. The years that have robbed me
of strength, however, have taught me.
] hope, discretion. My dear wifes
home shall he compromised by no work
on act OF mine; be you equally geuer-
GUS, and spare her reputation, by leay-
ing this place at once join your reyl.
ment ut Stenay, and let me owe TO yau
honor the restoration of my domestic
happiness,
Instead of denying his love for the
Marchioness, and swearing, after tn,
manner Of the gali&uts OF the day. that
he never had presumed to give hel, a
thought, de Brcteul burst INTO teass
vowed that ne loved hoe to distraction
and poured the whole story Of his pas
sion into the ears of the aston;shel
husband.
"What p sobbed he, ask me to pau