The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-07-26
SELECTED STORY.
THE LADY OF LAR0SE.

Not many years az" the gay world OF
Paris was excited hy strange aud ro'
mantle affair. Emil. Lamcunt. young
lady with splend d fortune, and highly
accomplished in mind and mann"rS, an
nounced to the world that she would be
stow her hand aud fortune upon any
gentleman who pleased her, but that he
must be willing, in consideration OF her
wealth and other attractions, TO Put un
with face of unparalleled usiineSs. \
certain time each day was appointed to
receive the sutors at Larose, Madcnloi
selle's beautiful residence in the VIC nj
ty of Paris.
Among the FIRST who responded to the
singular announcement was Sir Charles
Dashinstcn, a young Englishman OF
noble family, who had sq"andered
princely fortune in the gaming houses
of the dissipated capital of F'a"ce. lie
eagerly seized upon the opportunity to
mend his broken fortunes, and to estab-
lish himself again in. the world of pleas
ure. Dashinglou was possessed OF that
beauty of form aud face which attracts
the gaze of artist and wins the love 81
women. His self conceit lrd him to
suppose thaepo woman could resist him
aud he Thought IT only Deces ary "a pre-
sent himself before the lady Of L'r"Sc
in order to win her hand, and. what he
valued more, her fortune. With this
object in view he attirtd himself in Il
magnificent suit Of clothes. hired Il car
riagc, and proceeded in dashins style ~
search Of wealth and wife
1t vas delicious day in June, and
the gardens aud grounds of Lar"se pre-
sented a scene of ravishi"g beauty t'
the eyes Of Sir Charles Dlshln@t II, VT,
looked upon himself as soon to I'
"monarch Of all he surveyed. After !
drive Of quarter oil an hour throu@l
winding roads. bordered with sweet anC
brilliant flowers, and through shady anC
cool groves, the superb villa Of l.Ara''
burst upon his eurapturcd sight, y
he drove up he was met by IA ; rva"t 1t
handsome livery, who conducted hin
through an elegant marble gallery int
the spacious reception roOm.
The matchless sllend": of this apart
nant dazzlci the eyes Of Sir Charlc'
Dashington. The fIor was comp 'scc
Of exquisite mosLics, wrought int
quaint and curious patterns; the walk
were beautifully frescocd after the man
ner of Raphael; before the crimson
tinted windows hung purple silk curtains
which tremble d in the vibration OF low
melancholy music, whose origin couIC
not be discovered tables Of pearl anc
AGATE were paced in different paris O
the room, some Of them loaded will
richly bound books, and others having
on them gorgeous vases orfiowcrs, whose
odor peryaded the whole apartment. 1t
one corner stood massive cabinet con
tanning curio-itics, and surmounted wit
busts of Gel, brated authors, amons
whom the Enelislman was pleased tt
see SHAKESPEARE crowned with lmmortel
les.
While he was admirine the splendic
saloon. door glided softly back, anC
Emile was announced. DashinStor
rose and advanced to meet the persol
who entered. lie was prepared to sc'
face ugly, indeed, but when his eye
fell mon the frightful features Of tn,
lady he shrank back with IN exclama
ton of horror. Her lips w,re wlther-
cd AMI bloodlcss; her eyes were sun
deep in their sockets her large au'
mishappcn nose was revolving object
and her skin was as dry and yellow a
IN Egyptian mummy.
Without appearing to notice Dash
inaton's embarrassment, Emile welcom
ed him to L,rose in few swectly
spoken words and, to his surprise, sh
spoke in Engli,h, with slight bu
charming accent for among many ae
compiisLmentS Of this sin .ular crcatur
was a perfect kn6gledgo Of the moder
languagcs Sir Charles was somewha
reassured by her kind welcome and win
ming voice and he succeeded in over
COM or at least concealing, tho dis
gust which the horrible ugliness of he
face first occasionod After long pre-
liminary conversation he ventured t
approach the subject which had broush
him to I.lrosc
'Msdemoisclic' he said, with bow
"ir did not know that the Garden
Eden was in ASIA. I should think that
had found it today in your dellc'ou
iet:eat.'
"Sir Charles Dashington is please
to fatter my poor Larose.