The Van Buren press., 1878-12-10
MISCELLANY,
THE TALISMAN.

beauty was seated within boudoir oil
the gay city capital of France. A daint,
femme de chambre had but just loft the
apartment when Frederic de la Tous, the
young husband in question, entered.
Madame de Ia Tour was seated near al
open wood fire, the folds of a beautiful
robe of light, soft texture thrown around
her.
My darling" exclaimed De la Tour
II could not come BEFORE"
As he spoke he threw himself upon bis
knees before her.
| "Our friends have just gomez" asked
his listener.
yes; and l am with YOU
"Do not kneel Frederick, there is room
for you on this COUCH" continued Mad
anne de la Tour.
"Let me remainthus. 1t seems as ii |
must be dreaming that all this happiness
cannot be real that you are not indeed
mine to love and cherish cannot re-
move my eyes from your dear face
dreadng that you will vanish from my
view"
"Be very sure -th,t do not propose
to vanish" responded Madame de Ia
Tour yesterday was the widow OF
Lord Melville, and to-day l am Louise
de Ia Tour, your wife You see, strange
as it may seem. sou do not dream"
Frederic de la Tour had good reason
to suppose that fairy had been meddine
with his affairs. Within few months
past be had enjoyed streak Of inestima
BILE good fortune. He had become rich
and happy beyond his fondest hopes
This was how it happened:
One afternoon, while returning from
his office, he was in the Rue St Honore
accosted BY lady who was driving in ,
magnificent equipage.
monsieur! Monsieur she called.
The footman had lowered the steps and
motioned to De la Tous to enter the car
riage' Astonished beyond pleasure, he
mechanically obeyed
81 have received your letter, Mon
seur," continued the lady, in charming
, musical voice.
"a letter from me, Madame?' res
ponded Frederick, in tone Of sur
prise.
Eyes did you not write to me p
"No'er, Madame, to my knowledge
was the respectful rejoinder.
You will kindly excuse me- con
tinued the lady. II have made an absurd
mistake, and my only excuse is that yol
so greatly resamhiAa s-;--d &c ...i.'
that mistook you for him. Great heA
ven! she added. much confused "wha
must you think of me9 And yet the re
semhlancc is striking"
Ere the lady had completed her expla
ration, the carriage had been driven into
a magnificent hotel Fred, ric of course
offered his hand TO assist his companion
to alight.
II would explain further. Monsieur
continued the lady II am Lady Mel.
Vile"
De Ia Tour bowed. By the beauty OF
the speaker he was positively dazzled
and accepted with delight an invitation
to call.
MY name is Frederic de la Tour" he
said Z" ! am only struggling artist"
The singular meeting described had re.
suited, as has been said. in the marriage
of De la Tour.
Come and sit beside me-" continued
Madame de la Tour. II have something
to say. but cannot speak while you re.
main knceling. 1t is quite story, and
must be told to you"
Frederick obeycd
"Once upon q time" continued Louise.
81 knew you would tell me some fairy
story exclaimed the young husband
"bu, while you speak it is music"
"Nay, listen to me, friend Once upon
a time there was a young girl, born OF
parents who had once been rich. Al the
age of fifteen she was brought to Paris
by her father, who found that at Lyons
he was gaining but little money. FoI
four years that father struggled against
adversely, but finally illness seized him,
To be brief. dear Frederic, he died in an
hospital, and soon the poor mother fol
lowed, and the young girl was left alone
Had there been fairy in the story re-
late she certainly would have appeared,
but there was none. The girl was in Par
is without relatives, without friends. With
out means to pay. She sought work. bu'
obtained none.
time passed. AT length every cent
was gone, and for twenty four hours no
particle OF food passed her lips. Oh
Frederic, you who have never known
hunger aud misery cannot understand the
suffering might picture. cannot know
the pain endured when forced to beg, and
yet to implore aims the girl was com
PEELED. At dark one evening she crept
forth from her lodging the night was
cold and rainy. In her desperation she
accosted young man, who halted,
searched his pockets, and then threw her
a coin. At this instant a gen darme
perceived the girl.
"Come," he said, 81 arrest you for
begging. You follow me to the lock
up"
AT these words cry of despair was
wrung from the lips Of the unfortunate
woman. Quickly the young man inter
posed
This young girl is an acquaintance
of mine | know her there is no begging
in the question. Come" he continued
addressing the trembling girl, sit is time
YOU were at home. Do not fear, it was
only mistake on the part OF this 60 cd
guardian of the public peace
Leaning on the arm of the stranger
the girl walked on,
N ,,t f.ar Madpmoselle" Whis