Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-09-14

caught sight of the face Of young girl.
Never 10 bis most ardent dreams had he
imagined aught SO lovely as that face.
with its ideal lines, its more than earth
ly beauty--beauty SO calm, so serene.
so radiantly pure that it seemed that of
one of Gods angels. He wondered il il
were possible that such creature ex-
listed He held his breath as he gazed
on her descending the church steps.
smiling at an older woman who. accom-
panied her, her mother doubtless. In
stinctively Montbrun followed them from
afar and saw them enter q small house
of modest appearance. Taking the num-
Der, he returned to the hotel and asked
for information.
"That beautiful girl Mile. de La
rade II er father was an excellent man.
His family were rich before the revolu-
ton, but each succeeding generation
had sold off little by little land and fields
and woods to keep up their rank
Finally poor VI de Larade had taken
refuge in small building formerly o.
cupied by his intendant. There he lived,
as best he could, with his wife, nee La
roche Glaieul, and his daughter Jeanne.
He had probably not more than 200
or 800 francs income, but the ladies
knew how to live on very little, while
he, poor gentleman, had even given up
taking snuff. :"
The viscount wrote to his notary ct
Paris, requesting him to at once send
him letter of introduction to a notary
of Vitre and to apprise that gentleman
that he, Montbrun, came of good fam
lily, had the reputation Of being q man
of honor and was not without fortune.
after which the notary of Wire would
effect his acquaintance with family
wherein he hoped to find happiness.
Everything happened as the viscount
had arranged He was presented to
Mile. Jeanne dc Larade. found her all
he thought, came again and again to
her home and was finally accepted ~
her future husband upon certain condi-
tons. Montbrun promised everything
they wished. lie was in an ebstasy Of
bliss during tho few weeks which pre-
coded the day fixed for his marriage.
In the midst OF his dreaming he re-
ceived through his notary-he had care
fully concealed his address from all
others--a letter from one Of his friends,
who wiote him that Paula Salimberi
was seeking him in every direction aud
uttering direful threats.
At length the eventful day arrived.
The contract had been signed Two
friends of Montbrun had come from
Paris to serve him as witnesses, and on
the 10th Of September, at IL in the
morning, the guests left ia carriages for
the mayors Office. The vscount and
two or three persons we're speaking with
functionary at that Office when they
we're startled by piercing scream, fol-
lowed by u long camor Of voices. Rush
ing to the windows, they saw hurry
ing crowd, amid which small group
were massed about recumbent form.
"What has happencd2" exclaimed
Montbrun, almost suIfocated by appre-
hension.
IAN unknown woman has thrown
yitriol in the face Of Mile, de Lsrads.
All one side of the poor child's face is
badly burned and an eye destroyed.
They are carrying her to her home " .
Montbrun fell, rigid and unconscious.
to the floor.
He tried vainly during the day to be
received at the home Of his botrothed.
Tell him that he will never SEQ mo
again ~ she cried, shedding tears that.
rolling over her raw wounds, burned
her like fire.
The suffering of M. do Montbruu was
intense. Consumed with fever, his heart
seemed pressed in wise.
A little later small package was de-
livered to him.
Tho unknown woman, arrested imme-
diately after tho preparation OF her
crime, stated that her name was Paula
Salmberi; her motive vengeance.
Montbrun shut himself in his bod
room and opened his parcel, which con-
tanned small quantity Of white powder.
Folding handkerchief into bandage,
he measured out two spoonfuls Of the
powder and spread it on tho bandage.
which he then placed over his eyes,
tying 1t in firm knot at the back Of
| his head
Two hours after he arrived Mt the
home of NJ. de Larado in coupe, from
which the notary Of Vitro helped him
to descend.
"Do not come in,'' said Nine. do La
rade. at would kill JENNIE"
Tell her that she may receive me
now" replied M. dc Montbrun. "We
shall be married as soon as she il able
to leave the house. For mo, her image
will remain ctornally what it was-I
am blind"
NJ and Nine do Montbrun lead q re-
tired life 10 their chateau at Juvisy.
Jeanne adorcs the husband who for her
renounced forever the sight Of sky and
fields and flowers AS for the blind
man, bo has kept intact the picture Of
an ideal maiden smilingly descending
the steps of the Church Of ST s'artin.
Ho is happy, for in the unending night
to which he has condemned himself he
sees her always young, always beauti-
full - Translated from French for San
Francisco News- Letter.
Let no man be too proud to work. Let
no man be ashamed Of hard Est or q
sun-burnt countenance. Let him be
ashamed only Of ignorance and sloth.
Let no man be ashamed Of poverty.
Let him only be ashamed Of dishonesty