Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-03
NO. 261

and to ask her love in return.
We have overheard the young mans So
liloquy. in which he decided to risk every
thing in order to escape the tortures Of
suspense we will now follow him to a
large palatal house, over the door of
which, cut in stone, but half obliterated by
time, there is the coat-of-arms of a noble
family, while before it walks proudly to
and fro a tall, bearded Swiss, in rich liv-
cry, wearing three-cornered hat, and
carrying a staff.
At sight of Strauss. the Cerberus raised
his hat, and bowed with friendly
smile. Strauss returned the salutaton in a
not less friendly manner, and hurried up
to the second story, where servant led
him into u small but elegant saloon, and
hastened to announce his arrival.
A richly ornamented harp and music
desk stood near one of the windows.
Strauss approached the latter, and, with
an apparently indifferent air, turned over
the sheets of music, but his hand trembled,
and he threw more than one hasty glance
at the door where his pupil was expected
to enter.
Presently the door opened, and followed
by her campanion, the Countess Sophie
entered the room, bowing to her profess
sor with friendly but somewhat conde-
scending air.
The youthful countess was beautiful
very beautiful. A tall, Juno-like figure,
features of great regularity, a complexion
taultlessiy clear, n wealth of dark hair
that fell in luxuriant tresses over her
shoulders, and large expressive eyes,
formed magnificent whole. She carried
her head high, and slightly thrown back,
a sure indication of pride, which, more
over, was evinced by every movement of
the girl, and which Strauss only. in his in
iatuation, failed to see.
She was only seventeen years old, an age
when most girls retain something of the
ways and manners of childhood. Not SO,
however, with this girl. There was moth
ing about her that reminded one of the
child. She was II full grown woman, and
her whole bearing showed that she was
not only conscious that she was beautiful,
but also that she was countess.
Poor Strauss! He saw only her beauty
to him she seemed an angel descended
! from brighter world. He read love in
her graceful smile, which was intended
for the master hot the man, who, as a
burgher, she never dreamed could raise
| his eyes to her.
Strauss bowed respectfully, and per-
haps somewhat awkwardly, in response
to the young girls sautation; the lady
companion seated herself in an arm chair
and soon became absorbed in book, and
the lesson began.
The artist struggled hard to conceal his
agitation but, in spite of his best endeav-
ors, his hand trembled, and his voice was
husky and constrained.
The unwonted mood of the teacher
| att, ta1 ha oft Of
the pupil; for, from time to time, she
glanced at the burning face OF the young
man, whose eyes seemed to meet hers
with peculiar expression.
At this moment servant entered, and
whispered few words to the companion,
whereupon she rose and with the words
by your leave, Sophie" left the room.
Strauss was now alone with the countess
"Heaven is proptious,n said he to HIM
self, overjoyed, "Now or never!" He
grasped her hand, pressed it to his burn
inc lips, and fell on one knee before her.
''Countess Sophie" he whispered, fix
ING his eyes on the face of the astonished
girl, do not be angry with me for falling
thus at your feet. Do not drive me from
you, for love you-love you with my
whole, my entire being. On, speak one
IL,
disdain the love | could conceal from you
no longer.n
The countess, surprised by this sudden
outburst, did not seem at the moment to
grasp its import; but when she did, she
rose proudly, withdrew her hand and said
in naughty, disdaintul tone, her eyes
flashing with Indignation
"Sir, you forget where you are. Rise
YOU are not in your place"
"Oh, let me remain here at your feet,
Sophie" stammered Strauss, who mis-
construed the agitation of the countess.
Let me hear the word from your lips that
shall make my earthly happiness complete!'
'What impudence!" !" exclaimed the
countess, "Kise, sir! Your place is be-
fore the door. How dare you raise your
eyes to mep Where isyour coat-oi-arms !?
where your patent of nobility Love
you-lp You cannot be in your right
mind. sir, or you would not forget that l
am Countess Sophie c., and that you
are-muscan ~
With these scornful words, the proud
girl lett the room.
Half fbewildered, the unfortunate Strauss
rose to his feet. His face was deathly
pale, and his colorless lips whispered only:
"A musician" she said, "a musician!"
Then, like one intoxicated, he seized
his hat and hurried out of the house with
out noticing the countess's companion,
who met him, and asked why the lesson
had euded so soon, or replying to the sal
utation Of the giant Swiss who guarded
the door.
How he got home, Strauss never knew !;
he saw nothing and needed nothing but
the scornful words of the countess. He
was a prey to deep burning grief and
shame he had been wounded in what is
mans most vulnerable point; and, after
throwing off his hat, coat, neckcloth and
everything that confined his chest, he
t strobe up and down his apartment in a
state that fell little short of frenzy.
"Oh. they have no heart" he cried,
''these high born women. Where others
have heart, they carry an old. worm eat
en- parchment, q patent OF nobility, that
5 they think makes them better than other
people. What care they for love, fidelity.
nobility of soul9 To them the name, a