The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-07-26

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might have been the work OF fairy hands.
Around and about the spot gorgeous
pheasants ard stately peacocks walked
with pompous steps. At last his eyes
rested upon the crowning glory OF the
scene-thc superb villa of Larose.
Victor advanced with hesitatiug steps
to the magnificent porch, where he
was met BY servant, who politely III"
vitcd Kim To walk into the hous". En-
tcring he saloon the poor young man
WAS amazed at the splendid display. lie
began to repent OF his presumption in
daring to offer himself as suitor to be
the possessor of so much wealth ; he
dreaded TO meet the Lady Of Larose,
and a thousand times wished himself
back in his poor chamber.
! While occupied with the thought, the
door opened, and Emile Lamont cnter>
ed. Victor arose and bowed as she
came forward without raising his eyes
TO her face. With voice sweet as
angels when welcoming souls to Eiyslau
bliss she addressed him, and on the sub
jcct which is always interesting to every
man-himself
May | ask whether you arc Monsieur
St. Aubyp, the poet?'
IL do not know, Madcmoiselle,
whether | deserve the pane Of poet, but
I plead guilty to publishing volume OF
verse year ago which brought me but
little fame and less money.
"Your beautiful book should have Sc
cured you both" %
f.! "Am 1 to understand that Made
| moiselle Lamont has read my little book?'
! IL have read and admired it over and
over again, and if all the world were
like ne your book would have made you
famous"
"If all the world were like you this
world would be paradise" =" cried Victor,
oyerioycd to hear his neglected book
praised
Look at me. Monsieur St. Aubyn;
is paradise composed of such ?"
Victor raised his eyes to. her face.
, Those lips were indeed hideous, but
from them came words Of praise and en-
enlargement to cheer him onward in his
! efforts to reach Fame's proud temple.
Those cheeks were pale and yellow, but
perhaps they had glowed with cuthusi-
siasm over his poetry.
"If you will excuse me, Mademoiselc,
| will say that the houriS are not quite
so plain"
Don't mince matters, Monsieur st.
Aubyn, my glass tells me the truth, and
I I -vaUr- YOU 70 10 riiIc same:
"But, Madcmoiscle, it is not CUSTOM
! arv for gentleman to speak so plainly
to ladies about their personal appear
ancc."
"Monsicur Victor st. Aubyn. want
yau to understand, once for all, that
Emile Lamon. is not Ike ether women.
Therefore, do not hesitate to say what
you think Of me.
"We'l, then, il you insist on it, ! can
only sag you arc bitter ugly"
"Bittcr ugly! / ike that; that is re-
frcshing-bi,tcr usly-vcry soodr' cried
Emile, with augh as sweet aud musi-
cal as silver bell
Il am clad my plain language has no,
offended You. 1t is certainly venturing
upon dangerous ground to tell q lady
thai she is ugly
"You must remember that am not
like other women
Emilic rang the bell and ordered the
servant to have everything arranged in
the blue room.
you have harp, Madcmosellc; do
you play aud sing 7" asked Victor, draw
ing her attention to a superb instrument
in one corner of the room.
"Sometmcs, to While away weary
hour
"Will You favor ne with some music
he asked, handing her the harp.
"With pleasure, lightly touching the
strings, and eliciting strains that might
have come from the inspired fingers OF
St. Cecalia.
Victor WAS deeply affected, and, when
the last sad notes had died away, he sa d
"Mademoisellc, thank YOU on my
kncss Cor your sweet Kindness in singing
that and calling it your layorite'
As lie spoke door in the lowcr end
of the room gliled back displaying an
inner apartment arranged for repast
monsieur, will You partake of sopl
fruit which is served in the next room?
"Thank you, said Victor, rising and
Offering Emile his arm to escort heT tc
the next apartment.
"Monsicur," said Mademoisellc La.
mont, as they sat down to 4 tempting ar
ray of dclicacics Monsieur, ! wish
you 20 see wha, | can produce. All tho
fruit of the table came from my gar
deu'
"They are like everything else here
delightful" -" said Victor, tasting a luscious
peach. Indeed. | can hardly believe
that all have seen to-day is real aud
substantial. Walking through yopr
splendid grounds could haze imagined
myself in the garden Of llcsperides
Seated in your gorgeous saloon: | could
hardly help lancSing that saw ap cH
chanting vision that would soon dis
solve. leaving Inc nothing but the dul
realities of life