The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-08
WASHINGTON, ID. G..
For the National Fra
WHAT 1T COSTS TO KNOW A COUNTESS.
BY MRS. BELL SMITH.
BY MRS. BELL SMITH
PART ".

tossed ieyerlshly upon MS peo' ne nau Tue
widest dreams, that, gathering up snatches of
,ba mast. seemed, with them, to be dimly fore
,.uns the future. Through all he saw, without
CESSATION. beautiful form, with innocent, child
Ike l.ce, lighting a cigarette at fearful flames,
that came whirling up from immeasurabie
dep,hs, and cold, yellow countenance came
l.twetu. as if to annoy; and the woman and
TIE demon seemed to laugh, and mock each
o,ber: and how the faces grew familiar, yet
could not be named, and just as he would be
on the point of clear recognition, they would
vanish, with shrill, fendish laughter, only to
return again. all the while the hot flame SEEM
ed burning into his very soul. And this fend-
Isl. play went on, and on, it seemed, through an
eternity His restless sufferings were such,
that Drayton heard him from the adjoining
room. and FASTENED TO awaken his friend.
Day was breaking in the east. The first
faint blush Of morn marked the eastern hori-
ION. while over the rest Of the heavens heavy
clouds, broken in fragments, were floating
slowly before the stars. Dungleson, hinging
that American weakness, a rich gown, over his
shoulders, sat down by the open window. The
cool morning air felt grateful, and the distant
hush OF the ocean, rolling in upon the level
sands, seemed to accord and sympathize with
his troubled spirits. Dear, kind mother to US
all, large-handed Nature, good or bad, ugly or
iorgiying she has magic soothing for us-so
that We come to her troubled and sorrowing.
From horrid dreams of the night, from the
fearful decisions of the late artificial and wick
ell life. Percival seemed to feel the great reality
OF the quiet calm life now breaking into day
before him. Under the influence of the feel
iugs SO called into existence, he told to Dray.
ton all that had passed.
/" / don't know, Pussy" said the confdant,
its all well enough, l suppose. She's dew
ish fine creature, and improves your French,
but it seems to me you make most too much
fuss about the thing. A Irritation, in its way,
is well enough, but it's no use making a hang
ing matter Of it. Now, my private opinion is,
tina! she is sick Of Old Decoration, and about
ready to beat up, and be off with the first clev
or fellow that has the dimes. Now, Johnston
comes along, and sees the condition of things
she being, as 1 said, devilish fine creature
gotten up in good style-and this Johnston
proposes TO come in and take hand, you see.'
This was delivered in a very impressive man
Ter, but 1t only confused Dungleson the more
he made 10 reply, and Drayton continued:
GOu see that's my view Of it, and I'd go a
dos-cart its truth, anyhow. Everybody's
got motive, more or less, and most Of the mo-
tive is nothing but interest. Now, taking that
vIew-aad you see, yourself, it is correct
view-what is Johnstons motive? That's the
question. Why, interest, of course and thai
Is to 20 in and win. Now, she's as plucl1y and
smart as trap-sees right through him, and
gives him To understand that it is no go-tha
he can pull in his plank, and turn on steam
Just 50 soon as passengers are ready"
you don't believe, then, he can expose
herr"
"Spose he can-what of it? If she is the
girl to cut old Decoration, and run with you
sac has not been bit too pious to have played
The same game before this, with somebody else
What do You care for that?"
This was about the only sense to which the
youth had gwen expression, and Dunglesor
WINGED under it painfully. Drayton continued
IN the same strain. 1t is astonishing how one
wlil continue on a subject that happens to be
peculiarly diSagreeable.
g say again, who cares? She is not such a
spooney as to think two wide awake Americans
can be picked up and made believe that she's q
SAINT Just ready to elope. Saints don't accept
pony-phaetons, ponies and all, harness inclu
ded. Saints don't play ecarte, smoke cigars, anC
encourage young fellows into the belief tha
some shiney night said saint will cut old Deco
r.hon-husband, aforesaid, and elope to eterna
bliss and parts unknown"
Vow, Gus, differ with you there. You
dom take into consideration the peculiaritie.
OF tanners and morals in this country. Now
l q admit that in our land woman who would
act as Madame Carnot does, would lay herself
open TO remark-but, here
Nonsense, Pussy don't stuff yourself will
such CANNON. Human nature is pretty mucl
The same article the world over. The only diff
ference is, that with us you meet with devil il
peitlcOats sometimes-and here you sometime
meet with saint in that rig. But we boil
come TO the same conclusion, and that is to stane
by the little Goddess, and see how this yellow
Johnston comes out"
tell you. Gus, you are mistaken. She il
= splendid woman, and as good as she looks
VOW, tell Jon what believe, that she and he
husband are more than they let on to be. Dom
You see how they shun society?
- have noticed that, and had my own opin
Ion about 1t. When see man lodging an(
Ssuking round, think he's got the best rea
SON Tor 1t; for such conduct must be very trou
besome, and this man looks to me as if littl,
S"indle, or shop-lifting, wouldn't be hard t.
swallow; but. again, the fact is, they ar,
members OF the nobility, and, for some gooC
reason, are living here incog."
Drayton laughed. "Now, Puss, are YOU sc
precious verdant as to believe all that2 / dom
Know much about this nobility; all / have seer
dogs But don't believe that they live abou
seeond-rate hotels in this way"
That's it, they have reason-indeed, Mad
anne has as much as told me this before now.
Why, it's the simplest thing in the world t,
ind out There's old sgd. Johnston. He ha
hnoWn her before this, and can tell all abou
Them. Ill throw myself in his way, and, plague,
a don't ask him. No harm in that"
30 the innocents separated. During the day
CCuhgeson made various efforts to see Madam
,@hot, but without success. That lady KEEP
Nef room, sending word to the door that sh
was indisposed. This indisposition did not pre-
vent her, however, appearing at dinner, wher
sue seemed we'll as ever, and fully as selfpos
Sessed, kind, and conversable. Dungleson ha
$40 opportunity given him of abiding to tn
subject OF the night before. Drayton called o.
nyghey Johnston at his hotel, sent up his card
"Hu was at once admitted. He found the Sal
uF1 tn Individual in loose, old overcoat, wit
1auir'y smoking cap on his head, and the ever
I,1sung cigar between his lips. Invited to 81
~, JG"n' Drayton was at once put at his ease, b
.i.s accomplished man of the world enterin
,Ito conversation, as if the visit had no especis
ooect' and the night before had been withou
ri. We'll Drayton, my boy, how do you fin
Duil enough, so far as am concerned"
murh CO T oIo,lI +b,ol> Co. m,