The Southern herald., 1888-03-10

styled CadiE merchant changed color;
and glancing irresolutely at his COM
paniOn, a pretty brunette, sitting in
corner of the chamber, at length
owned that he, was the son of Count
de Moncade, but absolutely refused to
return to his father aud be conse.
quently separated from Estevanilla.
you need not be uneasy on her ac.
count" said the Lieutenant; Il am
instructed to make a suitable provi-
sion for her if she consents to give up
the idea Of becoming your wife"
He had scarcely finished spea king
when the girl, who had hitherto re-
mained silent, suddenly rose from her
seat, and in voice broken by emo
ton declared that her lovers future
welfare being the first consideration
she was prepared to sacrifice her own
happiness to it. "Here, sir" she con-
tinued, sis the promise never asked
for, but which was forced on my
acceptance; l will no longer be an
obstacle to his reconciliation with his
father. Estevanilla will resume her
old position, with the consciousness of
having done her duty" In vain the
young Count strove to combat the reso-
luton; all his persuasions and entreat-
les proved Intellectual. and Lenoir, un-
willing to prolong q scene so embar-
RAISING as it was painful, announced
his intention of at once conducting
the young Moncade 10 his own resi-
dence, adding that on the following
morning the sonora, to whose disin-
terested abnegation he alluded in the
highest terms, would receive sum Of
ten thousand livres on condition of
returning Immediately to Spain. Then,
leaving the couple to exchange their
last adieux without the presence of a
witness, he discreetly retired; and hall
an hour later regained his hote
accompanied by the disconsolate
lover, for whose accommodation an
apartment beftting his rank had been
already prepared.
Next day Estevanille, richer by ter
thousand livres than on her arrival il
Paris, having started on her journey
the Lieutenant bethought himself O
supplying the necessary additions tt
the young cavaliers scanty wardrobe
and spared no cost in providing hin
with an equipment worthy of the hei
Of one of the most ancient families il
Spain. This done, he took cordia
leave of his protege, and after tn
latter's departure dispatched lette
to Count de Moncade, informing hir
Of the happy result Of his mission
and inclosing an account of the none,
disbursed by him. A month elapse'
before he received reply, and his as
tonishment may be imagined on read
ing the following lines:
"Never having been blessed wit
children Twas at first at loss t
comprehend the meaning of your lei
ter. You have been the dupe of a
unscrupulous impostor, who ha
profited by his knowledge (ho'
acquired is to me a mystery!
of our old friendship. to conceive de
sign which has succeeded only to
well. Who he may be l have no ides
but l have ascertained by inquir
that no actress of the name of Este
vanilla belongs TO the Toledo Theatel
Doubtless the pair have already mt
at some prearranged spot and al
making merry at our expense ! il
close an order on the correspondent I
nv banker at Seville, who will rein
burse you for the sum advanced; an
could almost find it in my heart
pardon the rascal for his ingenuity,
he had not selected you for his victim
DE MoNoADE. G."
What Lenoir thought of the fore
going epistle is not recorded, but it
certain that during the remainder
his official career all travellers fro
Spain unprotected with unimpeacl
able credentials had little reason
congratulate themselves on the il
diligence shown them by the Parisia
police.