The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-04-09
A PHOTOGRAPH FROM LIFE.
A Story Of Love and Hope.

a FHOIUGRAPH ERUM LIFE.
A Story of Love and Hope.
Great excitement was caused p a
certain way, in the usually quiet buse-
hold of Monsieur Borno, by lettenrom
the married daughter, Madame Atois,
who resided in Rome, in which sh in
formed her parents that a sutton fc her
sister Elise would soon appear at lille
fieurs And she further told then that
this Monsieur A. de VILLAIN, pung
man of good birth and with a comorta-
bic fortune, had been struck with apho-
tograph in shop window-so sruck
and charmed that he felt he mus try
every means to win the original fo his
wife. This photograph turned ot to
be one of her young sisters that she had
sent to be copied; and seeing that the
young man was in earnest, she had rom
ised to write and introduce him an
unexpectional parti Madame Atois,
wound up by reminding her father that
Elise was no longer girl, and tht, in
fact, it would be very foolish not ac-
cept this bit Of good fortune.
1t was therefore agreed, in amily
conclave, the fair Elise consentins and
with the due approval Of the amily
friend NJ. de Belandi, that the c,ming
guest should be graciously received NJ
de Belandi even insisted on havin. him
in his own house, as he laughingly said
in order that he might the better Judge
if this NJ A. de VILLAIN was WORTHY of
the prize he sought.
Among the numerous and various visi-
tors to the beautiful southern city, Vii
lefeurs, with its girdle of mountains and
blue waves, few could help remaAling
in the gay crowd on the promenade or
in the public gardens, girl, almot al
ways accompanied by a favorite dog,
whose elegant and quiet toilet, as veil as
her graceful walk and the piqua1t ex-
preston of her face, always maze one
wish to look again. 1t was an attrac-
tive face, rather than decidedly beauti-
full; generally wearing a thoughtful
look, which, however was often bright
ened by smile which prettil, curled
her lips.
There was a quiet elegance about her,
altogether different from fashionable
ladies. English. French. German or
Russian, who rested on the chairs or
paced up and down. Generally might
be seen at her side Monsieur de Belan-
di, man past youth, but with a vigor-
Gus, spare frame, whose keen dark ewes
seemed to take note of everything, but
were often turned on his fair companion
with the tender familiar interest of a
privileged friend NJ de Belaldi was
rich, and having no particular )ccupa-
ton be made himself useful to his friends
in general, but to those Of the Maison
BornO in particular. Thither he brought
all the news of the place to amuse NJ.
Borne, who was too old and infirn to 90
out He could tell Of the last offense
given to the old inhabitants of Vile
tieurs by the new French corners, or the
latest reform in town regulations He
could say what was the prospect IF the
olive and grape crops, etc. He was al
ways ready to escort Mademoiselle Elise
to the theatre, or try new song with
her. he was a convenient partner at a
ball, or patient companion for a morn
ing's shopping. Moreover, NJ. de Be
landi's taste was proverb. All this
made his visits to the old Maison Pont-
to come little watt from the outer
world to the very retired sOmbre street
in which many of the old Villefeur
aristocracy resided, withdrawn from the
newer part of the town to which visitors
resorted. To look at it from the outside,
one would not imagine the quaint and
rich carvings which adorned the walls
or the broad marble steps and handsome
suit of rooms which belonged to this
house.
In the simple and quiet manner com
mon to the old inhabitants of the
place, the principal amusement and lux
ury being to retire now and then to the
Maison de Champagne, lived the Bornos
with their youngest child, two other
daughters having married satisfactorily.
Nor were the old couple very eager for
her to follow her sisters example, in
spite of the hints of their acquaintance,
and NJ. de Belandi's serious warning,
given every now and then, q that it
was really high time to marry her. .
Such an agreeable, amiable, gentle
grill it was pity, and very astonish-
ing. All her contemporaries were mar.
ried. or about to be so; and Elise was
nearly twenty-seven !" At this the old
father would look troubled, and, shrug
ging his shoulders, ask what his friend
would have. Could he do more? Had
there not been two or three eligible pro
posals? But the girl had refused them
all. Elise was dutiful, and the light O
their old days and it was surely moi
their duty to force her into matrimony
if she evidently preferred to remain as
she was.
To this NJ. de Belandi said nothing
but looked relieved; for his visits t tn,
Maison Pontneuf would have been yer,
different without Elise But on hearing
the letter of Madame Artois, speaking
so highly of the young man, and ever
appealing to himself to use his inhuene,
in favor of the match, he threw himsel
calamity into the spirit of the adventure
and took care to be at the diligence
Office to receive and welcome NJ. de Vii
lani, whose first visit to the Maisol
Pontneuf was paid in his company, hi
easy genial manners and real kindnes
helping to put every one at ease, and t.
draw out the somewhat nervous and agi
tated lovers.
When it was over they all agreed tina
not one word too much had been said i
his praise. His manner was all tina
could desired his appearance pleasing
while it was evident that he was yer
much In love. On the other hand, n
A. de VILLAIN poured out to his kin
host his delight and satisfaction. Their