LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2021, 16 August 1880, Page 3

LITERATURE.

BHiFBIENDING A “POOR OLD MAN,” AND THE BEBTT.LT. ( Concluded .) £ Say rather withoat yours,’ said the yonng man earnestly ; ‘ I could do nothing, for I had lost my purse. To you, and you alone, is he indebted for life ; bat,’ continued he, in a different tone, seeing the color again mounting in Anna’s face, “it is not for the purpose of disclosing to this lady the secret of your good actions that I have followed you here ; it is to request you to take the trouble of buying a bed and some other little necessaries for this po-r child of misfortune, Here are a hundred francs that yon will have the kindness to employ for this purpose. I pray you to believe that if I was not a stranger in Paris, and on the point of quitting this very evening, I would not take this liberty with persons to whom I am unknown. I trust that yon will excuse my request ’

* There is no necessity to offer an apology,’ said Madame Bevial; ‘on the contrary, we ought to thank you for having selected us to complete a benevolent action.’ ‘Now, madame,’ added the young man, in a hesitating and timid manner, ‘it only remains for me to inquire the name of my young slater in this work of kindness.’ 1 Mademoiselle Anna Bevial.’

A cry of astonishment broke from the stranger— ‘ The daughter of M. Bevial, of Bordeaux, who lost his fortune by trusting in a friend, and died of grief V * Alas ! yon have but too truly stated the case. How does it happen that”you; are acquainted with these facts V ‘ I am Jules Barsac,’ taidj'the'young'man, in a voice scarcely audible. Ansa grew pale, and went and placed herself near her mother’s seat. A mournful silence succeeded for a short time, and it was Jules who broke it. Ah I madame,’ said he, suddenly rising, ‘ I perceive that I yesterday sent you my renunciation of a life of happiness. This letter,’ he repeated, as ho slightly touched it with a look of disgust—• permit [me to destroy it, and to forget that it was ever written.’ Looking from one lady to the other, and seeing no sign of opposition, he tore it down the middle, and threw the portions into the lire. Ee watched them until the flame had seized on every part; and then, as if content that it was wholly irrecoverably destroyed, he approached Madame Bevial, and bent his knee before her, as she regarded alternately, with the utmost satisfaction, her daughter and him whom she would have chosen for •her son-in-law, if the choice had been in her power. *Or if the memory of ths unhappy letter cannot altogether pass away, and if part of it must still remain in your remembrance, think only of the words which say “if your daughter and myself had been acquainted.” We are acquainted, and know each other already, as if we had never been apart. I just now called mademoiselle by the name of sister, let me call her by another name. Oh, madame, deign to answer me ! But yon weep—you give me your hand—you consent to my request!’ ‘ And you, Anna, what do yon say?’ asked Madame Bevial.

‘Have I ever had any other will than yours ?’ dear mother. ‘You consent then, mademoiselle, ’ said Julco. ‘ Then you will allow me to present you with this ring as a mark of our engagement.’ He handed her a little ring set round with turquoises. »It is Anna’s ring,’ said Madame Kevial, with surprise. ‘ Yes, mother,’ said Anna ; ‘I was obliged to sell it to replace the money I received for my embroidery.’ ‘ It was in purchasing it that I discovered your address, although yon entered in the jeweller’s book only the name of Anna. It is to this ring that I owe the happiness of again beholding you. ’ He took, as he spoke, the unresisting hand of the young girl, and placed on her linger the pledge of their union. The same evening, in order to fulfil the "benevolent intentions of M. Baraac, who was obliged to leave town for Bordeaux, Anna returned to the old man’s lodgings. He was no longer to be found ; ha had disappeared without pointing out his new abode. #**#*=» A month after, in the humble lodging of Madame Revial, a few were assembled to witness the signing of the marriage contract before the notary, who soon made his appearance ; he was followed by an elderly mao, richly attired. As the latter was not introduced, no person took much notice of him, for each was too much occupied with the ceremony for which they had come together. Madame Revial was still an invalid, and had her daughter seated near her. Jules Barsac was standing on the other side. The notary placed his portfolio on the table, and took from it a contract of marriage, which he proceeded to read aloud. After having specified the little property of the bridegroom, he went on to detail the fortune of the lady— ‘ Madame Revial makes over to her daughter the sum of £IOOO per year— ’ ‘You are making a mistake, monsieur,’ interrupted Madame Revial ; ‘ formerly indeed, I did intend— ’ The notary, without paying any attention to the interruption, continued—‘£looo a year, arising from money in the public funds, for which here are the securities. ’ Saying this, he displayed the coupons on the table, and Madame Revial, the daughter, and Jules Barsac, all made a movement as if about to speaa, when the aged stranger arose and made a sign for them to remain silent. Surprised at this interference, they awaited with interest the result of this strange scene. ‘ What! ’ said the old man, with a broken voice, and addressing Anna, ‘ what, mademoiselle, do you not remember your poor old man ?’ While she was looking earnestly at him, trying to read in his venerable countenance the marks of misery and suffering, he continued— ‘ You have then forgotten ten years of daily kindness ? You have forgotten the 3rd of January, with the assistance you gave so opportunely—the fire, the wine, and the wing of a fowl wrapped up in a piece of newspaper? All forgotten? Well, that very piece of newspaper is the causa of all my misery being at an end. In an advertisement which it bore, I read the intelligence that a French gentleman, named Francois de Chazsl, had been for years seeking in vain for his brother, Jacques de Ohazel, mined, like him, in the revelation ; and that, by his will, he had ordered an advertisement to be inserted every week for

three years, that the brother might come forward and claim hie ample fortune That Jacques do Chazel stands now before yon ; it is L Without delay I set ont for London, and only returned yesterday. Your notary,’ continued he, speaking to Madame Kevial, 1 is mine ; from him I heard -of the intended marriage of yonr daughter. To that angel I owe my life, and the least I o*n do is to present her with a part of thst fortune which, without her, never would have reached my hands.’ ‘ Bpt, monsieur,’saidMadame Bevial, with emotion, ‘ perhaps yon have a family ?’ ‘Yes, madame,* replied he, bowing low as he spoke, ‘if yon will admit me into yours.’ ‘Ah, you have made part of onr family for such a long time !’ said Anna, pressing in her hands those of M. de Chazol ; then, with a gesture full of naivete and pra e, pointing to her intended husband, she added in a low voice, ‘lt is he who took you up. X’o you recollect him ? Ah ; you say that to me you owe your life; if you only t new how much I am indebted to you—if you only knew it! Bat wo will separate no more, and I shall have time to tell you all about it.’ Jules came forward to pre ent the pen to his bride, and they both signed the marriage contract. Formed under such auspices, who can doubt that it was a happy one !’