Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-03-11

gambling-hoases of Paris, where he
played recklessly and lost enormously.
OF late he had been heard to boast that
he could afford to lose, as he expected
soon to marry lady as rich as Croesus.
The consequence of these disclosures
was, that one evening, as Dashington
was preparing to visit his accustomed
haunts, the following note was placed in
his hands:
Miss Eugene Belmont begs leave to
say to Sir Charles Dashington that he
need not take the trouble to repeat his
visit to Bagatelle."
This unexpected termination of his
suit destroyed oil Dashington's hopes Of
maint aiming his position, and, to avoid
"the wrath to come" from tradesmen,
tailors, shoemakers, gamblers and other
creditors, he fled from Paris to Baden
Baden, where he was soon after killed in
gambling quarrel with a Russian noble
man.
The novel announcement of Eugene
Belmont continued to attract many per-
sons to Bagatelle. They al admired the
beautiful grounds and the magnificent
reception room; but when Eugene ap-
peared, her frightful face drove them
away in disgust.
/ At last, Camille darcy, a poor but
talented young man, ventured to advance
his claims. He was of an old aud re-
spectacle family, which had become i'm
poverished during the stormy days of the
French revolution. At twenty, Camille
went to Paris to begin the battle of life.
Like Alexander the Great, when he set
with him but hope. The Grecian hero
depended for success on the sword-Ca-
mile relied on his pen.
He was graceful and elegant writer;
but being poor and friendless, his sue
cess was not equal to his genius; he was
obliged .fnDli non fame scribere-to
write for bread not fame. Camille was
not discouraged by his want of success;
he was persuaded that the dark clouds
that lowered over him would be dis
PEELED, and that the world would &C.
knowledge his merits.
Bright hope what consolation to the
poor and obscure, the neglected and for
saken Young d'Arcy's dreamy exist
ence was sometimes frightened by de-
hghtful dreams of the future. In these
exquisite moments his disappointments
were forgotten, and his cheerless room
was changed as if by magic. He saw
before him galleries of light and airy
beauty, filed with lovely women, who
crowned him with amaranthine wreaths
as he approached.
One morning, while Camille was en-
joying gorgeous dresm like this, the
ethereal fabric was suddenly demolished
by gentleman coming into the room ex-
claiming:
"Camille, would you like to change
this Authoritarian cell for charming re-
treat near Paris, beautiful villa in the
midst Of shady groves and blooming gar
dens?"
"Certainly, most desirable change,
my dear Pau, but how is it to be ef-
fected?"
"By marrying Eugene Belmont"
"And pray tell me who is Eugene
Belmont ?"
"Don't you know who Eugene Bel
mont is? Why, all Paris is ringing with
her name"
"The sound has not assembled so high
as my room. Tell me about la CHAR
mant Eugenie!"
"Eugenie Belmont, better known as
the Lady of Bagatelle, has given out
that she will accept the addresses of any
gentleman who pleases her, and bestow
upon him her hand and fortune, if he
can put up with an inconceivably ugly
face. Many have visited her, but only
one could muster sufficient courage to
pop the question:
"Really, Paul, this is most singular
and interesting affair. am tempted to
visit the Lady of Bagatelle, merely out
Of curiosity"
"Do, Camille; perhaps something
may come out Of it. Az revoSr."
A few days after this conversation,
Camille darcy put on the best suit Of
clothes that his scanty wardrobe con-
tanned, and proceeded to visit the Lady
Of Bagatelle. He did not go at once to
the house, but wandered about the
grounds, delighted with the beautiful
scene spread out before him. A new sur
prise met him at every turn. In one place
he came to little rivulet which ran
through the grassy turf, gemmed with a
thousand flowers. Here he approached
a grotto, whose cool recesses woed him
to enter; in another place he saw fouu-
tain of water sparkling in the sunlight;
he reached howery eminence adorned
with pavilion so de]icately constructed
that it might have been built by fairies.
Around and about this spot, gorgeous
pheasants and stately peacocks walked
with pompous steps. At last the eye
rested on the browning glory of the scene
the villa of Bagatelle.
Camille advanced timorously to the
porch, where he was met by
a servant, who politely invited him to
walk into the house. Entering the ga
loon, the poor young man was amazed at
the superb display around him. He be-
gan to repent Of his presumption in dar-
ing to offer himself as sutton to the
possessor of so much wealth; he dreaded
to meet the proud lady of Bagatelle, aud
a thousand times he wished himself back
to his own desolate chamber.
While occupied with these thoughts.
the door was opened, and Eugene Bel
mont entered. Camille arose and bowed
as she came forward, without raising his
eyes to her face. With voice as ravisl-
ingly sweet as that Of angels when well
coming souls to heavenly bliss, she adj
dressed him, and on subject which is
always interesting to every man-him-
self.
May I ask whether you are Monsieur
darcy, the poet?'
ct do NOT know yno1oroo;oo1lo