Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-17

whom husband and title and fortune
were waiting in sunny France, was earn.
ing sorrowful living as lace-maker.
Such are some of the strange reverse.
of real life, more wonderful than any
fiction. f
So the Marquis waited for an answer
in vain. Then pride arose in arms. "Sht
scorns me-" he thought "She, a pool
peasants child! / am punished for my
folly"
And he resolved TO drive her from hi.
heart But after many months his letter
to Adele was returned to him, crossed
and recrossed with strange addresses.
1t was a messenger of hope to him
She had not sighted, she had not scorned
him, perhaps she had not ceased to love,
Before another day and night had passed
the Marquis was on his way to London
Need tell you of his welcome: When
did wealth and title fail to find q warm
one, Or of friends Of former years who
focked to claim acquaintance: Has moi
prosperity always hosts Of friends' But
none could tell him Of Adele, beyond the
history of her bitter souows. She, being
poor, had fallen from their bright world
And after three months search he had
failed to find her. He had money, In
fuence, deepest heart interests to aid his
search, and yet, in spite of all, he failed
"She is dead,' he thought with an
guish. II have come too late-it Is In
the grave that shall find my darling. II
it be so indeed, | will live and die single
for her sakew
But that was his hearts resolve, un-
suspected by any one; many gay belle
and brilliant beauty had spread her nets,
to secure the splendid prize Of a titled
husband.
Foremost among the many, Rosalind
Hale; she was the fairest and the wealth
lest of them all, and her golden hair was
not unlike Adele's. 1t was this that at
tracted him toward her more than the
others-the memory Of an olden love.
She never suspected that, however; her
vanity made her sure that he was in her
tolls. She arranged charades, tableaux,
plays--in which he should sustain part
with her. 1t never occurred to her that
he was at once too good natured and toe
indifferent to refuse.
The tableaux were suggestive enough.
One, upon which Miss Hale had quite set
her heart, was that Of bridal-necd it
be said that Louis was the bridegroom,
herself the bride!
"He will speak now, surely she
thought, as she blushed and trembled be-
side him. while the curtain came slowly
down.
But no: he only bowed as he led her
from the platform; and then one Of the
buttons of his coat caught in her bridal
veil.
1t has been said that "trifles make up
the sum of human happiness.
1t seemed so now. As the Marquis
stopped to discngage the lace, suddenly
he uttered strange cry.
1t was Adele's bridal veil
IL borrowed it of lace-maker," Miss
Hale said, in reply to his anxious ques-
tioning. 81 had ordered one like it; but
her health is bad, and she failed to have
it finished in time. So then made her
lend me this. She was quite unwilling,
too" she added, pouting, 'Just because
it was her mothers work. Such fancies
for poor person..
"A young girl:'
"Oh, no; very thin, and worn, and
sad; with fine eyes, but too dull and pale
to be called pretty. But an exquisite
lace maker. | shall be glad to give you
her address if you have any work fol
her."
Yes, he had work for her-work that
they would share together; the blessed
work of binding up an almost broken
heart, of restoring love and happiness to
both their lives!
Miss Hale never received her veil-the
Marquis claimed it.
In its stead he sent her complete set
of laces that made her-in that regard,
at least-the envy Of society: and Louis
married Adele.
Pale and thin, and somewhat careworr
still, was the bride of the Marquis or
her wedding day; but to his eyes-the
eyes of faithful love-it was the sweetest
face in all the world that smiled and
wept beneath Elsie's bridal veil.
And he kissed the old lace and blessed
it. because through it he had found hel
again.
Il love it now" said he. 81 prize il
next to yourself, dearest. 1t shall bt
kept as treasure always"
And so it was. Many fair and high.
born bride wore "the bridal veil Of Riv.
iere" in the years to come. 1t and it
story passed through many generations o.
proud and happy weares. But among
them all none were more truly blest thar
she who Through much suffering had at
tanned to joy"
The poor lace maker, whose mothe
was peasant girl, but who, for tru'
loves sake and for love alone, was choser
from all other women to be Madame ID
Marquis de la Riviere.
Burlington Hawkeye: "You were il
the war then, Captain McKillan:" "Oh