The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-02-16
THE LADY OF LAROsE.

and highly accomplished in mind and
manners, announced to the world that
she would bestow her hand and for
tune upon any gentleman who pleased
her, but that he must be willing, in
consideration of her wealth and other
attractions, to put up with a face of
unparalleled ugliness. A certain time
each day was appointed to receive the
visits of the suitors at Larose, Made
moiselle Lamont's beautiful residence
in the vicinity of Paris.
Among the first who responded to
the singular announcement was Sir
Charles Dashington, young English
man of noble family, who had squan-
dered princely fortune in the gam
bling house of the dissipated capital
of France. He eagerly seized upon
the opportunity to mend his broken
fortunes, and to establish himself
again in the world of pleasure. Dash
ington was possessed of that beauty
of form and face which attracts the
gaze of artists and wins the love of
women. His self-conceit led him to
suppose that no woman could resist
him; and he thought it only necessary
to present himself before the Lady of
Larose in order to win her hand, and
what he valued more, her fortune.
With this object in view he attired
himself'in magnificent suit fclothes,
hired carriage, and proceeded in
dashing style in search of wealth and
wife.
1t was delicious day in June, and
the gardens and grounds OF Larose
presented scene of ravishing beauty.
| TO the eyes of Sir Charles Dashington,
who looked upon himself as soon to
be monarch of all he surveyed" AZ
ter drive of quarter of an hour,
through winding roads bordered with
sweet, brilliant flowers, and shady.
cool groves, the superb villa of Larose
burst upon his enraptured sight. As
he drove up he was met by servant
in handsome livery, who conducted
him through an elegant marble gallery
into the spacious reception room.
The matchless splendor of this
apartment dazzled the eyes of Sir
Charles Dashington. The floor was
composed of exquisite mosaics,
wrought into quaint and curious pat
terms; the walls were beautifully ires-
coed after the manner of Raphael;
before the crimson-tinted windows
hung purple silk curtains, which trem-
bled in the vibration of low, melan-
choly music, whose origin could not
be discovered; tables OF pearl and
agate were placed in different parts of
the room, some of them loaded with
richly bound books, and others hav-
ing on them gorgeous vases of flow
ers, whose odor pervadad the whole
apartment In one corner stood a
massive cabinet containing curiosities,
and surmounted with busts of cele-
brated authors, among whom the En-
glishman was pleased to see "Shake-
speare," crowned with immortelles.
While he was admiring the splendid
saloon door glided softly back, and
Emile Lamont was announced.
Dashington arose and advanced to
meet the person who entered. He
was prepared to see a face ugly, in
deed, but when his eyes fell upon the
frighttul features ofthe lady he shrunk
back with an exclamation Of horror.
Her lips were withered and bloodless;
her eyes were sunk deep in their sock
cts; her large and mis- shaped nose
was revolving object, and her skin
was dry and yellow as an Egyptian
mummy.
Without appearing to notice Dash
| ington's embarrassment Emile well
coined him to Iarose in few sweet
ly-spoken words; and, to his surprise,
she spoke in English, with slight but
charming accent; for among many ac-
complishments of this singular crea
ture was perfect knowledge of the
modern languages. Sir Charles was
somewhat reassured by her kind well
come and winning voice, and he sue
ceeded in overcoming, or at least in
concealing, the disgust which the hor-
rible ugliness of her face had at first
occasioned. After long preliminary
conversation he ventured to approach
the subject which had brought him to
Larose.
sMademoiselle," he said, with bow,
"if l did not know that the Garden OF
Eden was in Asia, | should think that
had found it to-day in your delicious
retreat"
":Sir Charles Dashington is pleased
to fatter my poor Larose."
"Mademoiselle, it is not fiattery; the
beauty and splendor of your grounds
far surpass all my expectations. Oh!
how dream-like my life would be pass
ed in this lovely spot. With con-
genial companion to share its sweets,
this place would be a paradise on
earth"
what do you mean by congen
ial companion?n Emile asked.
zone who possesses an approaching
love of nature; one who finds great
er delight in books than in balls; one
who prefers meditation and study te
the frivolities of modern society"
"Y ou say nothing of beauty-is moi
that requisite?" demanded Emile
who saw the serpent lurking beneath
his flowery language.
i "Give me the lasting beauties ofth'
mind, and | care not for the fading
beauties of pretty face," cried Dash
ington.
Soon after this the interview ended
and Sir Charles rose to depart. Emf
lie told him he should hear from he
I in a week.
81 shall expect your communication
with impatience," said Dashingtor
houino himself from the room