The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-02


which he must return. The lady had
good fortune, which he insisted on hav-
ing settled on herseIf-so there was one
baseness the less on has part.
The marriage was solemnized with all
the ostentation which the proud bride
expected. A fortnight passed in u round
OF pleasurable excitement, and then the
happy couple started on a tour-lor
Italy, as the lady was told, but. really
for Montelimart, an old town in Prov
ence, in which Perourou had been born.
| Several of the conspiring engravers,
liproperly disguised, were she attendants
Hand couriers of the magnificent equip
age, which was made 10 stop at the door
ofthe mean cottage in which Perourou's
aged father still carried on his humble
trade.
The lady, politely handed out, recog.
nizeu her former acquaintances, the en-
grayers; anu he whom sue had SO scorn-
fully refused said:
| "You were not born to be an engrayer's
wife. Know, madame, that your hus-
band is a. poor beilOws-mender. This
poverty-stricken old man is his father; /;
this humble cottage is The only palace
he possesses"
Then, with mock courtesy, the con-
spirators saluted her, and quilted the
place.
The proud woman suffered intensely,
and reused to listen to one word from
Perourou.
The niece Of the cuEate Of the parish,
who chanced to be by, remained by her
side all that night, trying to comfort
her.
Next day, husband and wife had an
interview. Her stormy passion was
calmed down. but she refused to con-
tinue with Perourou and returned to
Lyons, whence she wrote, comhunicaI-
ing her purpose of entering u convent,
Until avenging justice had broken the
chains which legally bound her to him.
The suit came before the court, and
Aurora, telling her story, awakened
great sympathy. The qualification of the
marriage. on the ground that it was
based ON fraud, would have been pro-
nounced. but one of the engrayers said
to her:
"rhe laws may declare that you are not
his wife, but you have been. The CON-
tract annulled, no stain Will reston you;
but stain may be cast ON another. Be-
ware lest YOU throw the blot Of iIleeiti-
macy upon one even .more'lnnocent than
yourself-upon your unborn chilu!'
The appeal touched her heart.
ssNo, no!' she cried.
| Ana WltnuraNlHS INC SUN VIC udTrlaRe
was not annulled.
Perourou had the grace to leave her
unmolested, and he quilted Lyons.
The etu,rayers who mad caused the tic-
titious eXaitation and terrible fail OF tue
bellows. .mender subscribed a considera-
bic sum, which they presented to him.
He went TO PARIS, where, under a
eigned name, he went into business. 1t
seemed as if everything he touched
turned into gold. Tue widest specula-
lions were those that most attracted
him, and all succeeded. In five years
he Was head of great commercial firm
and master OF ample wealth.
He mad no hope of reconciliation with
his wife. Having rehuered, in the
course OF business, great service to a
banker of Lyons, who pressed him to
paw him visit, he dfd SO, and there
learned that Aurora continued to live in
u convent, with the little boy who had
been born to her after the trial; that her
lather had just died, SO poor that she
was lett almust wholly dependent on the
charity of Jne abbess, and that her pro-
priety OF conduct was greatly admired
Perourou visited one OF tue engravers,
/ who scarcely knew and was very lac
to see him. The creditors of the de
ceased picture merchant we're Assem-
bled, and all their claims paid, without
their knowing the source, from funds
supplied by Perourou, whose desire &c
see his wiie and embrace his little sor
became so Irresistible that he revealed
!, himself to his friend the banker, who
was astunished to find the notorious
bellows-mender in the rich Partisan
merchant. s'
/ Knowing the abbess, the banker wa.
, able to obtain the admission OF PerouroI
4 l too a,
simply as Il Partisan merchant. Thu
1 conclusion of the story may easily b.
guessed.
Y Perourou Deheld Aurora seated in tn
4 convent parlor, with lovely child aslee
: in her lap, in conv vefSaJiUn with her au
i, mirable irlend the abDesS. Being thel
), only twenty-tnree years old, her lowell
S ness had not diminished-nad gained, in
: deed, in expression. Sne did not recug
b niZe her husband, disguised as he was
e though something in his air startled heI
: The chile, ,,awaAening, gu tied his moth
: er's lap and came forward 10 Perourou
e whom it tenderly embraced. THROWN
!; himself at Auror,l's feet, he exclaimed
e "Aurora, Aurora, your child claims
: father from you. Grant me your pal
donw
l just tlien, the child clasped the motr
o er's knees, appearing to plead with he
also. There was snort pause, AM
e then, bursting INTO tears the wife thre
i herself into the husbands arms.
/. "You may deceive me again." sh
$ sobbed, but our child pleads too power
& fully. l am yours forever"
u Tnis time there was no deceit, an
j. Aurora returned to Perouroy, an al
tered and improved woman, with be
t terrible pride cast out. The happy fan
e lily went to live in Paris, but, by Aur,
l. ra's wish q country house near Lyon
o was purchased for her, which tney oite
:, visited.
e One day she surprised her husband b
giving a party there, the ten engravel
;, being the principal guests, to whom til
! iappy wife and motuer gave heart
:, thanks, as the original cause OF all thu
q had passed.
| Henrietta Held, a Young German gi