THE PIECE OF A HUNDRED SOUS.

AN ISrrnrsrrsG FRENCH TALE.
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A young and handsome pair had Just returned
from the altar, where THEN destinies were irrevo-
cabiy united. They were about TO start for the
country, and they had bidden a temporary fare
well to the friends who were present at the cers-
mony. For short time, while their equipage
was preparing, they found themselves alone.


The newly welded husband took one of his
brides hands into his own


"Alow me, ,, said he, ''thus to hold your hand,
for dread lest you should quit me | tremble
lest nll this should be an illusion Ii seems to me
that am the hero of one of those fairy tales
which amused my boyhood, and in which, in the
hour of happiness, some malignant fairy slept ever
in to throw the victim into grief and despair -


'Reassure yourself, my dear Frederic, said the
lady. 81 was yesterday the widow of Sir James
Melton, and to-day am Madame de la Tour,
your wife. Danish from your mind the idea of the
fairy. This is not fiction, but history.


Federic de la Tour had indeed some reason to
suppose that his frtunes were the work of fairy
wand for, i'm the of one or two short months,
by seemingly nexplicable stroke of fortune he
had been raised to happiness and to wealth beyond
his desires. friendless orphan, twenty five
years old, he had been the holder of a clerkship,
which brought him a scanty livelihood, when, one
day as he passed along the Rue ST. Honore, a rich
equipage stopt suddenly before him, and young
and elegant woman called from it to him. Mon
sieur, Monsieur" said she. At the same time, on
a given signal, the foomun leapt own,opened the
carriage door, and invited Frederic to enter. He
did so, though with some hesitation and surprise,
and the carriage started off at full speed. w have
received your note, sir, said the lady to NJ. de la
Tour, in very soft and sweet voice; "a and, in
spite of your refusal, hope yet to see you to-
morrow evening at my party.


''To see me, madame " cried Frederic.


eyes, sir, you--Ah thousand pardons,
continued she, with an air of confusion 81 see my
mistake. Forgive me, sir; you are so like par
ticular friend of mine What can you think Of