The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-31
LUCIE ST. CROIX.

10 plcrce VIC 8Aoou Cli"V h0Ao VSAeA""o"'
nine.
LUClE ST. cROIx.
It was in the winter of 49, that the
wealthy Count Maxine St. Croix and his
wife, the Countess, settled in Paris
Lucie st. Croix, their only child, had
reached the age of eighteen, and was to
be introduced TO the gay world OF fash
ion.
Warmly solicited by his daughter, the
Count st. Croix had yielded to her wish
that her friend, Antoinette Leroux
should accompany her to Paris.
The Count and Countess had antici
pated that their daughter would create 8
very great sensation by her youth and
beauty, and, occupied by society, did moi
as closely as usual observe Lucie. A
month had barely elapsed after their ar
rival when Antoinette saw that o cloud
shaded the brow Of her friend. When
questioned upon the subject, Lucie
would smilingly deny the charge, and
for a time, shake off her look OF sad abb
straction, and, by change of the current
OF the thought, invite attention to some
object foreign to herself.
No effort on the part Of Antoinette
l
explain the trouble that seemed to brood
upon her mind; but assured that she was
not deceived in her conjecture, she de.
termined to cease all questioning and
watch silently, hoping through her affec.
ton to arrive ut the cause. But vigi.
liant as she proved Lucie St. CroiX
guarded her secret with jealous care.
The carnival season at length arrived
and the Countess st. CroiX determined
| to give a ball which, in its splendor
should eclipse the magniticcnce of Pari.
sian extravaganza.
Among the many names upon the Wis.
iting list of the Countess, one alone had
been excluded, namely, that of the Count
| Henri Leroux. He was of noble descent
and in all worldly respects the equal o
many invited; but although this was ad
mitted, the Count st. Croix nevertheless
declined to invite the nobleman, assign
ing as a reason his disapproval OF the
| life of dissipation led by the young man
and his entire disregard for established
prejudice.
No little scandal owed it's origin to LIE
rouX; consequently as result to his
reckless defiance OF all moral restraint
many regarded him with displeasure
The gay life led by Henri LerOuX was
| ii 4
by him were noted for their brilliancy
but while celebrated for their magnifi
cence, they were pronounced to be orgies
| of shameful and ignoble character.
At many balls during the season
Lucie st. CroiX and Henri Leroux haC
met, and his marked attention to the fail
debutante had provoked more than once
the displeasure OF the Count and Count.
ess. In order that his annoyance should
be clearly understood by LerouX, Count
St. CroiX declined to send him an invita-.
ton to his entertainment, although the
same had been urgently requested by O
mutual friend.
1t had been decided that, in honor Of
the carnival season, it should be fancy
mask ball, and many handsome costumes
heightened the charm.
ducie had chosen an odd, fantastic
dress, the style of which she had copied
from one Of TiLan's immortal works
Never before had she looked more lovely
and been surrounded with more adj
mirers; but while all around were gay
and joyous, Lucie st. CroiX appeared
sad and preoccupied. Weary of thu
| sound of the music and the sight of til,
dancers, she stole away from the crowd
and at length reached dimly-Hghtet
boudoir that opened upon small bu
elegant conservatory. Yielding to
sense of fatigue, Lucie seated hersel
upon low couch, and, lulled by tn
sound of the distant strains of music
and the flow and fall of the water in tn
small fountain, she gave herself up t
thought. Suddenly she felt the touch o
q hand upon her arm, and, turning, sh
saw beside her a man dressed in the sc
we're costume of Dante, his face hidde
by mask.
81 have hidden my face," he said in
low voice, clearing that the sight of nj
would chase your smiles"
For an instant NJ ademoiselle st. Croi
was startled, but recovering hersel
ment greeted the stranger.
| "Your face is hidden,' she responded
"and thus you have the advantage {
me; but your voice is not strange to me
although l can not remember you
name."
"Do not fear me-" he continued; "w
are not strangers. If do not unmasi
1T is because there is good reason tina
my face should remain covered. l al
here to speak to you, and you alone
| Will you listen to mew
! 81 will" murmured the girl timidly
and yet controlled by the music Of hi
| voice.
~ have come," resumed the stranger
"to lay before you the story of my life
with all its faults and its foliies. Recl
less of all things until now, have will
| fully grasped each fitting pleasure, an
drained with avidity the cup of life
many joys. At thirty years of age, Luci
st. Croix, l find myself disappointe
man, tainted by my own vices, and yet
lprey to feelings l had thought foreve
dead. /, the scotfer-the disbeliever i
purity and TRUTH, the man VIII
scorned an emotion that sprung fror
tenderness, am conquered. l love, an
by that love am tortured. A reckless
willful man, met you, and, for the frs
time, learned to blush in the presence {
woman. Yes, blushed for my own u
ter unworthiness. Do not tremble, Lucit
when tell you that love you; in you
presence, only such love as Heaven ma
smile upon dare be expressed. When
knew you, your character became know
to me. The Beatrice OF Dante's low
guided him to regions Internal, to teac
his soul great light. You the Beatrice {
my love, of my worship, have led IN
from darkness ro,light."
| AS he gaid these words he removed hi
mask, aud Lucie St. CroiX instantly n
cognizcd Henri LerouX.
"You, you here~ exclaimed the youn
girl in tone of fear.
+" Yes, Lucie," he whispered, 81 al
here because l must learn from you