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

ed book praised.
Look at me Monsieur St. Aubyn.
Is paradise composed of such y
Victor raised his eyes TO her face;
those lips were bideous indeed, but
from them had come words of praise
and encouragement to cheer him on
ward in his efforts to reach Fame's
proud temple. Those cheeks were
thin and yellow, but perhaps they had
glowed with enthusiasm over his
poetry.
AT you will excuse me Mademoi-
selle, | will say that the houris are
not quite so plain"
Don't mince matters, Monsieur St.
Aubyn; my glass tells the truth, and l
want you to do likewise"
"But, Mademoiselle, it is not custo-
mary for gentlemen to speak SO plain
ly to ladies about their personal ap.
pcarance.
"Monscur Victor St. Aubyn, |
want you to understand, once for all,
that Emile Lamont is not like other
women. Therefore do not hesitate TO
say what You think of me"
well, then, if you insist upon it, |
can only say that you are bitter ugly"
Bitter uglyl like that, indeed;
that is quite refreshing-bitter ugly
very good" cried Emile, with laugh
as sweet and musical Us silver bell.
II am glad my plain language has
not offended you. IL is certainly
venturing upon rather dangerous
ground to tell lady that she is
ugly
You must remember that am not
like other women"
| Emile rang the bell, and ordered
the servant to have everything ar
ranged in the blue room.
You have n harp, Mademoiselle -
do YOU play aud sing Z" asked Victor,
drawing her attention to a superb in
strument in one corner of the room.
Sometimes, to while away weary
| hour"
"Will you favor me with some
music:" he asked, handing her the
harp.
With pleasure" said Emile, light
ly touching the strings. eliciing strains
that might have come from the in.
spircd fingers of st. Cecilia. What
shall ! sing"
Your iavorite; | am sure what
pleascs you will please me"
Thank you. Listen" And Emile
sang one of his own songs with Il voice
swectly pathetic.
Victor was deeply affected, and
when the last sad notes had died
away, he said: "Mademoiselle, ]
thank you OH my knees for your swee,
kindness in singing that and calling
it your favorite."
AS he spoke door at the lower
end OF the room glidcd back, display.
ing an inner apartment arranged for a
rcpast.
Monsieur, will you partake OF
some fruit which is served III the next
room y
THANK YOU" said Victor, raising
and offering Eemilie his arm TO escort
her To the next apartment.
Monsieur" said Madcmoiselle La
mont, as they sat down to tempt.
ing array of delicacies, Monsieur, i
wish you to see what Larose can pro.
duce. All the fruit on the table
comes from my garden"
They are like everything else here
delightful, said Victor, tasting a lus.
cious peach. Indeed, / can barely
believe all that | have seen to-day is
real and substantial. In walking
through your splendid grounds !
could have imagined myself in the
garden of the Hesperides. Seated in
your Gorgeous saloon. / could hardly
help fancying that ! saw an enchanted
vision which would soon dissolve, leav.
ing me nothing but the dull realities
OF life
"You poets are like that ethereal
bird, the huma, which never touches
the ground; you are always flying in
the air, and dislike to touch this poor
earth of ours"
"Had | the wings of an angel
could not fly to more delightful
abode than / have found to-day. moi
reeve a more gratifying welcome
than that which you have SO kind
! ly given me-"
Victor returned to his books and
studies from his visits to Larose witt
feeling of satisfaction to which he
had long been stranger. His pros
poets looked brighter. lie had secur
ed powerful friend in the Lady o
Larose. Her kindness to him had
touched his tender heart, and it seem
ed as natural for her to be agreeabl.
as it is for the flowers to bloom and
birds to sing
Emile had invited Victor to visit
Larose by moonlight. He did so on'
beautiful evening. They strollec
about the lonely grounds. He tolc
her of his struggles, of his golden as
piratIons and of his disappointments
She consoled him with sweet ant
gentle words, and she pointed to tn,
. great future and assured him that hi
hopes would be realized. Victor fel
the influence of that delicious voice
, and in that soft hour he knelt at he
feet and told her that he loved her.
To shorten the story, the day ap
! pointed for the wedding arrived
everything was ready. Victor, hand
J some and expectant, advanced t.
) meet the bride, when lovely girl Q
, nineteen,' with a face and form whic
, might have served as model for Ap
! pelles when he painted his picture O
: picture of Venus, came forward an,
took the hand of the future husband
This beautiful being was no othe
than the Lady of Larose, who had S