The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-03

O"h way III Hcr OWn mousse. am QulUe
sure she passed off Marie on him as a
foundling.'
"That will do, my good man. You can
go now, and pray be discreet, and don't
say word of this to any living soul, until
the hour arrives when l decide to make it
public. And here are a couple of louis for
your trouble"
The baroness now sought an interview
with Bonneville, and told him she was very
much interested in his daughter, and of
fered to take her to Paris with her, and
give her a situation in her own household.
Bonneville, who was very much attached
to Marie, at first refused to listen to the
project, and when he impaired it to the
young girl herself, he found to his poignant
disappointment, that she was as eager to
quit his roof, under such brilliant auspices,
as he was to retain her. Therefore, with a
sorrowful heart he was compelled to assent
to the proposal of the baroness, and Marie
was directed to convey the intelligence to
that lady.
When she entered the baroness room
the latter rose and took both her hands.
"My dear girl, she said, "I am so de-
lighted that you are willing to come and
live with poor old woman"
"Willing, madame?" replied Marie,
blushing, l am overpowered at the honor
clam deeply your debtor, my DEAR"
said the old baroness. "And don't think
I design to make ser want of you. Not at
all, my dear; you shal, be my companion.
You shall change this sordid dress for the
garb of a lady. You shall queen it in satin
and brocades. That is beautiful hair of
yours, but, without powder perfectly odious.
You have too high color; but late hours
and dissipation will soon give you more
genteel complexion that patches will rem
der perfectly dazzling. And who knows
/ may get you presented at court?"
Powder, patches, brocade, the court
Marie was ready to fall down and worship
the benevolent old fairy who promised her
those splendors. Without sigh, she bade
adieu to the humble old roof that had shell
tered her infancy and girlhood, the good
old man who had been father to her. and
Guillaume, who had always given her the
vAy best, though not always the most pal
atable advice, and entered the gilded car
riage that was to carry her to Paris-dear
Paris-the capital of fairy land.
The Baroness de Monfort was as good as
her word. All the adornments and accom-
plishments that money could command
were lavished on her young protege. She
dressed, powdered and patched like
duchess. A willing and ready pupil, she
soon learned to dance with grace that
would have made sensation in royal
ballroom. Then it was that the baroness
presented her to a select circle of her male
and female friends to whom she impaired
in confidence the secret of Marie's birth.
The Dowager Duchess de Longueville
thought her perfectly enchanting; the old
Countess de Vautrien admired her, the
baroness nephew, made up his mind to
sacrifice himself, and to marry tho young
beiress
Meanwhile, Guillaume had, according to
his promise, acquainted his young friend,
Gaspar, with the change in Marie's fortune,
and enlarging on her pride and ingratitude,
urged him more strongly than ever to for
get her. But the young dragoon was too
deeply in love for that. Whenever he
could obtain leave Of absence he posted to
Paris, and hovered about the hotel of the
baroness, in the hope of getting glimpse of
his early and only love. But he was disap
pointed. Once he saw her at carriage
window, and dared to bow to her-he,
common dragoon, and she lady of the
land. She did not even know him, either
because his uniform had disguised him, or
change Of circumstances had changed her
heart So he went back to the barracks
mole sorrowful than ever.
And now,o one evening the elegant hotel of
the Baroness de Montfort was in the wild
est confusion. The long-expected Countess
de Rosefont had actually arrived, and the
Dowager Duchess do Longueville, who
thought Marie perfectly enchanting, and
the Countess de Vautried, who admired
her, and Captain Fontaine, of the queens
dragons, who had secretly resolved to
marry her were assembled in the salon, to
meet the distinguished exile after her long
absence. Marie was kept back for the
proper moment. ,st.
After the warmest congratulations and |
compliments, the baroness approached the
subject nearest her heart. ,.f.aa
Ny dear countess" she said with |
mysterious smile, "you are among friends |