Year: 1873

drive away the gluttOnous beast. Alas
it was too late; he had just bitten off
the beautiful branch of buds; he swal-
lowed them one after another, and in
spite of the gloom could see, half out
of his mouth, the finest of them all,
which IN a moment was champed like
the rest. was neither 1l-tempered nor
violent but at this sight was no lon
ger master of myself. Without well
knowing what did, discharged blow
of my cane on the animal, and stretched
it at my feet. No sooner did perceive
it motionless than repented of having
killed creatEre unconscious of the
mischief it had done. Was this worthy
of the professor of philosophy, the
adorer of the gentle Amelia? But thus
TO eat up my rose-tree, my only hope to
get admittsnce to her When thought
on its annihilation, could not consider
myself so culpable. However, the
night darkened: heard the old ser
want crossing the lower passage, and 1
called her.


'f Catherine said I, bring your
light, there is mischief here you left
the stable-door open, Chat of the court
was also unclosed, one of your sheep
has been browsing on my rose-trees, and
L have punished it.


She soon came with the lantern in her
hand.


'''It is not one of our sheep, said she
I have Just come from them; the stable
gate is shut and they are all within. o
blessed saints blessed saints What do
I see?' exclaimed she, when near sit is
the pet sheep of our neighbor Mademoi-
selle Amelia de Belmont: Poor Robin
what bad luck brought you here? o
how sorry she viii be =


''Inearly dropped down beside Robin.


"'Of Mademoiselle Amelia said I,
in trembling voice has she actually
sheep?


so good Lord, no she has none at
! this moment, but that which lies there,
with its four legs up in the air She
loved it as herself see the collar that
she worked for it with her own hands


I bent to look at it. 1t was of red
leather, ornamented with little bells,
and she had embroidered on it in gold
thread, Robin belongs to Amelia de
Belmont she loves him, and begs that
he may be restored to her.


''' What will she think~ef the barba-
rian who killed him in fit of passion
the vice that she most detests She is
right, it has been fatal to her yet if he
should be only stunned by a blow.
Catherine, run, ask for some ether, or
Eau de Vie, or hartshorn-run, Cathe-
rine, run


"Catharine set off. I tried to make
it open its mouth my rosebud was
still between its hermetricaIly-seaIed
teeth Perhaps the collar pressed it :;
| in fact, the throat was swelled. I got
it off with difficulty; something fell
from it at my feet, which mechanically
took up and put into my pocket with
out looking at, so much was L absorbed
in anxiety for the resuscitation. I rubbed
him with all my strength grew more
and more impatient for the return of
! Catherine. She came with a small
phial in her hand, calling out, in her
usual manner, Here, sir: here's the
medicine. I never opened my mouth
about it to Mademoiselle Amelia 1 pity
her enough without that


"' What is all this, Catherine where
have you seen Mademoiselle Amelia
and what is her affliction, if she does
not know of her favorite's death p


"' o sir, this is a terrible day for the
poor young ladyl She was at the end
of the street searching for ring which
she had lost and it was no trife, but
the ring that her dead father had got as
present from the emperor, and worth,
they say, more ducats than have hairs
on my head. Her mother lent it to her
to-day for the party she has lost it,
she knows neither how nor where, and
never missed it till she drew off her
glove at supper; And, poor soul ! the
glove was on again in minute, for fear
it should be seen that the ring was want
ing, and she slipped out to search for it,
all along the street, but has found
nothing


cit struck me that the substance
that had fallen from the sleeps collar
had the form of ring-could it posi-
bly, be looked at it and judge to my
Joy, it was Madame de Belmont's ring,
and really very beautiful and costly.
A secret presentiment whispered to me
that this was better means of presen-
tation than the rose-tree. I pressed
the precious ring to my heart and to
my lips, assured myself that the
sheen was really dead, and leaving him
stretched near the devastated rose-trees,
[ ran into the street, dismissed those
who were seeking in vain, and stationed
myself at my door to await the return
of my neighbors. 1 saw from n dis
tance the hambeau that preceded them,
| quickly distinguished their voices, and
eomprehended by that that Amelia had
confessed her misfortune. The mother
scolded bitterly; the daughter wept,
and said, Perhaps it may be found


''' o yes, perhaps, replied the mother
with irritation. 1t is too rich a prize
to him who finds it. The Emperor gave
it to your diseased father ON the field,
when he saved his life; he set more
value on it than on all he possessed be
sides, and now you have thus flung ii
away. But the fault is mine for having
trusted you with it. For some time
back you have seemed quite bewildered.


q heard all this as I followed al
some PAGES behind them. They reached
home, and had the cruelty to prolong,
for some moments more, Amelia's NOR
tifieation. intended that the treasure
should procure me the er4tree Of theii
dwelling, and I waited till they had gOi
up stairs. / then had myself announced
as the bearer of good news I was In
troduced, and respectfully presented
the ring to Madame de Belmont anc
how delighted seemed Amelial and how
beautifully she frightened IN her joy
not alone that the ring was found, bn