The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-05-27
sar,mountxd many cliffs, might lose itself 10 a
candy plain, he again seated himself in sad
mesa to his work
COUNT sTERNnoF.

-. 10 ri. ,eo,l
''s''' W -"
COUNT sTERNH0F.
AT a table on which two wax tapers were
burning and in a chamber Ia which stood sew
erM diyans and fauteuila, sat : haudsome young
uan. On bis hand restad his head, adorned
With curIinr light brown hair and pair OF
full cleax blue eyes, such as are rarely seen,
were intent upon an open letter, which he held
10 a hand ,nuch too delicate and fair for a
nan with long wcIl-trimmed nails and orna-
msutsd hr = roid six,aet, This young man, IN
500 Turiish eowp, on aforementioned arm
chair. With d;S;pstsd mien, Was Count Baler
Sternhof lust returned from the ball at the
nalals : kither he had hsstod, chiefly 10 see
and sneak With Erika; but where he could not
rcms;n lona.-for strange mystery, like an
incubns footed over him, and disturbed has
mind. Count Baisr had lived but short time
g. tia metropolis and, though opulent made
Ill arIne srance With fsw followers in the circle
81. tSe asit sociaty. Returned from tour Of
sJn ypAsA polished with distinguished eie.
$3.50 9et{ge lightly built well educated and
g a6bis6t family, Bu'er's appearance could
notrUxaain unnotieed.
But that ne Was conscious OF playing part
in sOciety, Of being allied TO the youth OF the
first mobility, that his toilette, bis horses, his
breakfasts were patterns OF all toilettes horses,
and breakfasts; that his wishes were obsequi-
onsiy met bis acquaintance was sought by
throngs around him, who hsaped courtesies
upon him, and gave him preference on all oe-
casions that he failed ia no enterprise, that
his name conferred brilliancy and weight on
any compeny--these were his happiness bis
pride.
An aristocrat from crown to sole be sought
only the most distinguished acquaintance, EN-
brscod every opportunity that could bring per
sons of his standing into friendly contact. He
esteemed everything rude and uncutiyated
that did not breathe the atmosphere of the
saloon, and pursued with solicitude the way
which led him upward toward the sun which
he worshipped. Not that he needed to borrow
light and coloring; he was, on the contrary,
penetrated with the conviction that in what
ever circle he might move, he should throw
lustre around him but this lustre, that was to
serve ss foil should not be of common kind.
The exclusives, the so-called high hiers, were
Balcr's element; the parkett Of the saloon was
his ground He lived On the food that bis van
ity supplied. and had an Unsuitable ayarioe for
things Of foreign gloss.
In the course of a month, persons In the arst
crcles spoke of the interesting Count Stsrnhof.
who had rich inheritance, had made for
egn tour. and was about to make choice for
life. A suitable party was got up for him
His future welded companion must be of high
rank, If even poor; OF the nobility however do.
fcient IN beauty. They already ascertained
the Counts weak side, and though they could
not crush his deep-rooted arlstocratic pride, II
was nevsrtheless the subject oil their laughter
Baron Gl0ben, who was OF considerable ests-
nation among Baler's rich friends had resoly
ed TO win him over, and obtain high place in
his favor. Seraphine, on the other hand, bri
bed the fOpling in a different way He was al
ready, TO his surprise, paired with her, though
he knew that there was nothing earnest on bis
part.
About this lime. Count Eisheim came with
his daughter TO the metropolis, and the remarks
of observers the couiecturss of ealeulators
who had busted themselves for time with
Sternhof we're Instantly turned to this new
meteor Eriks's appearance at the side Of he,
father man who, by manifold ezsrtiens fol
the promotion of provincial and agriculture
interests. had acquired q certain csisbrity in BIZ
fatherland, whose name was never mentioned
without generation, and who il, rank and de
meanor fully realized the expectation of all VIII,
bsheld his honorable person, must excite obser
walton. And Erika's naIyete, her pecula
turn Of mind her manner altogether, 30 differ
emit. from what was customary in society, wer
sach that all wers nyoluntarily captiva.ed
She ocraaooaliy cast thouehtful chances a
ON s..tA-ta;rronrt of ,Vh;ch there T. no ;des a
amt s. the ethereal horizon Of the polite world
Al ths sano time she .eemed 90 Indifferent !,
ali b.y;nr The a;r Of vanity 40 unsuited to an,
not;on Of hers abe anneored to consider then
10 mpch halov her estimation to display sucf
sballov coouetry, TO court the favor of the
men. thai shs learned to profit by her open and
arttess depostment 10 manner se'oo1h a''rip
ueec g . maaoe1 u hal I'm .,a So. - 49,.
v'sn cns8.ir 40" m's1o'o - "a. :, ;.,,a
wefao, sna nov IL s'"u ,.''a s.e,,1 Iu y hsn slo
rioos 'ss 0 ',a - 49, 81, ~
~ s.,r ';,an,a 20 n,a;,'ta;r' h;s M.
49,: c 49, 49, ,,,,.'a,.o -, ~. ;,,,sr
o'. ..0 = w na.. P' Wbas he rora.. !,
os''ns yo"us $3.50 IS h;,, go
os'a: ~ p1ss sS 20 .,;ys him a sl;gb,
%..s .,S ~ FaIs rail- IL bar nrssense
49, i" Iaor~ .,,s. an .a.s uare dractad ouIy
!. s' L ~ ga ~. ,-tar thar a,teot;oo
~. - $500
Fla who had no ;dea that 80 tr;,ing ne.
n.s wno lsu ~ rue" s s'S,' " 49, $500
though she did not mark him out She In fact
partcularized none, and dared not DO IT, And
If Baler wished to elevate her 10 be his wife,
he was too proud, too vain, to yield the least
favor TO a rival
Thus was he circumstanced, when, Just as he
was in the act of entering his carriage, a iittie
later than the rest Of the palace guests, let
ter was hsnded him. He pat of reading 1t