The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-04-19

strongest passion OF our nature-lovc
is the most selfish. Love requires
entire possession. Say To a man of
the most generous instincts, your friend
cannot recover from his Illness unless
you give him up the woman you love,
and the generous man will let his
friend die. Say to woman, your
lover cannot exist unless you give
him up to- another woman, with whom
he is i'll love, and she will answer, 1
would rather see him dead than an
others"
Then you do not believe in love?"
believe in no emotion believe
in insensibility."
And are you happy 2"
Perfectly"
Monsieur dc ST. Floy was so agree
able a companion, accomplished, witty
and SO exceedingly good-tempered,
that it was impossible ever to get
angry with him. Nevertheless, this
very amiability and apathy, added TO
the strange principles he had protessed,
had produced sort OF irritation
against him, and plot had been form
ed and wagers laid as To who should
first rouse him from his insensibility.
Mime. de st. Ange, it WAS agreed,
should first try the power he had ac-
knowledged TO be the greatest, the
power OF love, aud for this she used
every art which Parisenne possesses
inssinctively, but winch until now,
Mime. de st. Agne had disdained. She
was prepared even TO 90 beyond the
bounds of coquetry, secure rs she was
in the protection all around her.
She succeeded AT last in drawing
the Count into what might have been
considered Il Irritation. IL was even
ing-they were on the terrace-the
Count, If not tender, had ut least
grown poet:cal, and gradually Nine.
de 81. Ange allowed her love To be
evident, till both sunk INTO that ST
lence which is loves eloquence.-
Finding it but little beyond the usual
limits, Nine. de st. Ange laid her
head on her lovers shoulder, and
breathcd his name in low aud loving
accents; but there was no answer, for
the Cheyalier dc St. Floy was fast
asleep.
My dear friends exclaimed Mime.
de st. Ange, entering the lighted
drawing room, where all were assem-
bled, Il have lost my wager; | leave
him now i'll your hands-you car try
your skill"
When, after few minutes, the
Count entered the drawing room ap.
parently unconscious OF the rudeness
he had been guilty of, the gentlemen
were at cards, aud immediately pro-
posed to the Count TO join them.
II it is agreeable TO you; for my
self it makes no difference"
w nat stakes"
Exactly what you like"
NJ. Canilac, who was very fond OF
showing oil his riches, challenged the
Count TO ecdrfe.
They played on for some time, at
last Nine. de St. Ange, leaning over
his shoulder, inquired whether he was
losing or winning.
Il really don't know" said de Floy,
with the utmost indifference.
The count wins twelve thousand
francs
Really, 1 am sorry. Suppose we
play double or quits, eh p
''As you please"
The banker, OF course, would not
give IN, but the sum was considerable,
and tho emotion was visible on his
features. AS for the Count, he pre-
served the same smiling conntenance,
turning the cards carelessly, almost
mechanically over.
You have won!" exclaimed the
banker, trying to hide his quivering
lips.
Then we will talk of something
else" said de FIoy, turning from ths
card table.
But suddenly General Simonet
came forward, and taking up the cards
threw them into the Counts face.
''Can;lac," said the General, "you
have not lost your money. The
Count cheats you at cards, for | have
been watching him, and he has not
fairly won"
General" ;" exclaimed the BARONESS,
"are you mad? Count, / beseech you,
keep calm"
MY dear madam, | am never any
thing else. am only sorry that
some OF the cards struck you. So,
General, you really think | cheat?"
Most decidedly; and, if you are in
clined, am read to give you every
satisfaction"
THAT means that because you have
taken the fancy to call me cheat, l
must risk my life by fighting duel
with you'll"
'Precisely."
"Well, as you please; it is perfectly
Indifferent to me; | leave it all in
your hands; and now I will retire,
for | really am weary; even believe
I went to seep on the terrace. Good
night to you all. P"
And, smiling and humming tune,
the Count, with his usual ease and ell
egance, left the room.
"Well, I never saw anything to
equal this man." said Nine. de st.
Ange; "but, General, l think you.
went little too far"
"Yon understand, of course, that it
was mere trial. Now l will try HIM
with duel. II he stands fire as he
stands everything else, l shall say
that he is not human. l shall tell him
that the arrangements are five PAGES,
with one pistol loaded and the other
not, and chance to decide the one
who gets the deadly weapon; if he