Connecticut western news., 1872-12-06
VALERIAN'S LAST GIFT.

VALERIAN'S LAST GIFT.
 My darling stepped out from the little inn-window on the wooden balcony draped with vine-leaves and heavy bunch. es of half-ripened grapes, which overhune the door of the oste,.ia. It was a lapis lazuli night, such as only known in Italy Below us lay great water, calm as the bay of contentment whereinto our lives had now glided. Stars trembled there and the moon swung her fulfilled lamr on the very edge of the ripple that wash ed the shore. There came heavy odol ot orange-blossoms from the gardens above us, blent with the less rare odor ot tobacco from the pipes of ostlers and wayfarers seated around the door below The murmur of their voices was all that broke the silence.
 Between the oster'td and the lake rar the dusty high-road, where the diligence half an hour ago had passed, and stopped there to change horses. But there was not much traffic saving a cart or two oxen drawn and laden with maize, and { curious old vehicle, half gig, half chaise bearing notary from the neighborine town to the bedside of some village Dives, cumbered in his last hours witt the disposition ofhis wealth, (so the waiter informed mel Saving for these the dus had slept undisturbed, in layers severa inches thick, upon the road. during al the hours we had been there. And nov the night had come, and even such un frequent traffic would cease.
 But, contrary to our expectations, al we stood there hand-in-hand upon tn, balcony, listening to a cicala in the dust, roadside grass and frog in the water weeds, and the hum of the smokers voices. below us, there fell on our ears tn, distant cracking of 8 post-poy's whip with the familiar accompaniment of ing ling harness. A minute more, and in tn, white moonlight we saw an open travel ing-earriage coming rapidly toward us There was rush among the smokers t, the front; the position worked up hi whip to a state of frenzy as he neared hi goal, and finally swung himself lightly t. the ground, as he pulled up exactly un der our window. The carriage was occu pied by two persons-a gentleman ant lady. The head of the caleche bein, thu own back, could see the mans fac very distinctly in the moonlight, whicl was as clear as day. I thought I re Fcognized It; SO, perhaps, did my com panion, for she drew yet closer to me and felt her little hand tremble in mine The doubt, if it was one, lasted but minute; the lady threw back her vail the small black-lace bonnet framed it did not shroud-that carved ivory fac on which the moonlight flooded. Go forgive me! had reasons to know too we'll; and so had she who stood be side me. My poor little darling nestle close to me like 8 frightened dove. an she pulled me quickly back under tn shadow of the vine-leaves, as she mul mured-" O Valerian! that W oman agair That woman here!"
 "My darling, what are you afraid of She can do us no harm. Depend on f she is not troubling her head about n,e. |"
 "Why does she come here? Oh, Valel ian, we were so happy!"
 Hush! Let us hear what they say.'
 ' Bring out the hUre des etramgers. W will see who has been passing this way. It was the gentleman who spoke. 3 "Just the romantic spot for love sic couple" laughed the lady; and her fin musical laugh fell on my ear like di cordant peal of bells. 1T should nt $ wonder if there was some one stayin here."
 n We saw the greasy strangers boo handed to them by their courier, and tf lady, by the light of the moon alon turned over the pages and read the nam written there. A dear little curly he's was hidden on my Ire lst, and a sms voice whispered, plaintively:
 You won't go down to her9 YC won't see herr Promise me. She'll u to take you from me, as she did befor I shall die if you go, Valeriani'
 "Never fear, darling. She bewitch, c me once; I was mad then, I believe. B " have I not something better now2 Whi l hold my treasure here in my arms, wh to me are all the fairest women in t world9"
 |. "Ah! you didn't think so once," s sobbed; land know nothing can res her-nothing Even now, you cam take your eyes off her. An! Valerian, ss she drags you away from me this time I, put my hand across her mouth, al D. listened with hungry eyes and ears. Mon DieU /" cried the lady, claspil her hands and laughing. "Look her what rencontre tread this: 'Mor VGteriG7, foe11at7'e PGriS, dvee SO .fenan, Only think of his being here! I ha not seen hlm since he threatened to blc out his brains."
 "Poor,devil You treated him ve badly, Cora. Who did he marry9
 70, some little English model, to who he had been engaged for years-ever sin he was 8 child. I wish her joy of hi Have you mind to see them9 Shall stop the night herei You wanted
 sketch of the lake; he shall make me h e dozen."
 "That sort of fellows bore," said gentleman, lighting his cigar. "Besid
 you'll have to make the fellow belle you're in love with Illm again, in order get your sketches: and it isn't worth