The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-08-03
5elfttr1 Galt &
THE QU E E N
SPADES.
IcoST1SUEp.1

1t was not long after the encourage
ment given by her smile that Lisabcta, rs
she followed the footmen, who were with
difficulty lifting the countess into her car
riage, saw the young officer close by her
side, and felt him seize her hand. before
she could recover from her surprise lie
was gone, leaving note in her palm,
which she hastened to conceal in her
glove. During the whole of the drive she
neither saw nor heard anything, answered
every question at random, and was sharp
ly rated for it by the countess. When
she returned home, she flew to her cham
Der aud took out the note. 1t was not
sealed, and consequently it was impossi-
BILE not TO read it. The letter contained a
thousand protestations Of love. 1t was
tender aud respectful, and tr anslated word
f,r word from German romance; but
Lisabeta knew nothing Of German, and
was well enough consefJ witiIiI.
She was embarrassed, however, since,
f,r the first time in her life, she had a ST.
c.et. To be in correspondence with a
young mani The thought made her
tremble. She reproached herself for her
imprudence, and knew not what to do
What course should she resolve upon -
Leave off working at the window, and by
dint Of coldness, compel tie young officer
to relinquish his pursuit-or send him
b,ck his letter-or write to him in firm
and decided manner She had neither
friend nor adviser, and she determined
upon answering his letter.
She took up her pen, and meditated
profoundly more than once she began q
phrase, and then tore up the paper
Sometimes her style was too harsh; ther
it was wanting in q proper reserve. A
length she succeeded.:n composing few
lines which satisfied ner.
II think" she wrote, "that your inten
tions are honorable, and that you woulC
not willingly offend me by levity Of con
duct; but you must be aware that our &C
quaintance cannot begin in this manner
I send you back your letter, and hop
you will not give me cause for regrettin
my imprudence in noticing it."
The next day, as soon as she saw He
mann, she left her work, went into th
salon, opened the vasistas, and threw HI
letter into the street, in the expectatio
that the young officer would not fail
pick It up. She was right; he seized
with eagerness, and went into q confe
toners shop to read it. Finding nothir
very discouraging in the contents, he we
home tolerably we'll satisfied with d
commencement Of his love affair.
A few days afterwards, smart your
woman, with an air epsiiie, came to q
hotel, requesting 10 deliver n message
Mademoiselle Lisabeta from naarehdn
de modes. II was not without some U
eas'ness that she consented TO sec h
fearing Il was some forgotten bill; /
her surprise was great when, on openi
the paper presented TO her, she recogniz
the hand writing Of Herman.
IYou have made mistake, MAIDEN
elle," said Lisabeta "tnis letter is
for me !"
II beg your PARDON" replied the M
este with a malicious smile; "give yo
salf the trouble to read itw Lisab
glanced at the note. Hermann deman'
an interview.
aimpossiblep p cried she, frightened
the boldness Of the request, and at
manner in which Il h d been sent to
"This letter is not meant for me-"
she tore II into thousand pieces.
aIfthe letter is not for you, MAIDEN
elle," returned the modiste, "why !
you torn iti You should have give
back, that might have taken L b
proper address"
sPray excuse me" said Lisabeta, Q
Disconnected. II hardly know what
doing. Pray bring nue. no more let
and tell the person who sent you ths
ought TO be ashamed Of resorting 10
an expedient"
But Hermann vas not the man +
thus deferred. Every day Lisabeti
csived ffssh letter, which reached
aomeiimes Que way, sometimes ano
He no longer sent her translations
the German, but wrote under the
enca Of violent passion, and spo
language which was that Of her own ]
She now received his letters willingly