Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-02-10
A COUNT DISCOUNTED.
By JUDGE CLARK.

- wi AohA' NC woo PAUL diiCicu--
had last seen him two years before,
on the eve of my departure on a foreign
tour. Then there was not a jollier,
merrier, happier fellow-nay, l will
add, nor handsomer one in all the
circle of my acquaintance.
Now, he has fallen into "a green
and yellow melancholy" There was
neither life nor mettle in him.
had left him engaged to Clara Vim
ton, the airiest, fairiest, and withal
the most bewitching little sprite that
ever dszzled the eye of mortal, or
played havoc with his heart.
Frank Percy and Clara were so
happy in their state of betrothal; there
was so much of romance in it, so
much enchantpent in thus lingering
on the verge, where all as yet was
hope shd fancy, that neither was in
haste to break the charm. The aphor-
ism Delays are dangerous" might do
for jealous and suspicious lovers; to
true and trusting souls like theirs it
Was che language of doubt and in6del-
ity.. ncH e-
Whist, then, had happened to cast
SO deep gloom on one of these lives,
erst SO full of joy and sunshine?
1t was the same old story. Frank
told it to me within an hour after our
meeting. Another had come between
him and his hearts object.
A brilliant stranger, man Of rare
gifts and accomplishments, had lately
made his appearance. He was a
foreigner, but none knew of what coun-
try, he spoke the language of so many
perfectly. People called him Count"
title he accepted. and graced as we'll
Whatever his rank, there was no dis
pute as to his fortune. His style of
living, and the promptitude with which
he met his engagements, proved him
quite sat ease in his possessions"
The Count was young, single, and
singularly handsome His advent had
been the sensation of the season. Such
fiutter as it caused among consolable
widows and manageable maidens, to
say nothing of matchmaking papas
and maramas. The like had never
been seen since Baron Bockbier aston
ished the town, and was only prevent
ed from marrying its richest heiress,
by being caught in the act o picking
"a gentleman's pocket.
I'D the Count paid his attentions to
Rfa as he paid them to others, it
would have caused Frank little uneasi-
ness; but there was an evident mean
ing in them in her case, to which he
could not easily be blind. And
worse, still, the attractive stranger
seemed to be gradually gaining some
strange ascendency over her, the dis
covery of which well-nigh drove her
lover desperate, and, at times, started
even Clara herself. .a
Remonstrance led to angry words,
ending in breach yet unhealed at the
time of my return. o.i
ga lovers quarrel" l said at the
end of my friends story-"one of
those amorous spats at which Jove and
all sensible people laugh" 'hl
"Would it were no morer' he sighed,
but l fear all is over between u.s."
"NenseHser, I replied. l"For SEN
sible man, how Iittle sense you havel-
A fine gentleman admires the lady of
your choice. She is naturally pleased
at it. Who wouldn't be? In a fit of
Jealousy, you doubt her plighted troth.
This she resents; you reply; she re-
joins; both lose temper; you part in
anger; VOW never to meet again; do
though; mutually explain, make up,
kiss, and feel happier than ever! That's
the way it always ends. Come with
me to Mrs. Winthrop's reception to-
night, and if you and Clara are not
reeonciled within the first FIVE minutes,
call me no prophet; though I'll not en-
gage you won't quarrel on the way
home" 0z1 ~ qf1 9acle
"No, no; it would be worseithan use
less,p he answered despondingly.-
There is more in this estrangement
than you suppose. If you meet her
tonight in lis company, as you will
be likely to do. you will be convinced
that | have Judged neither harshly nor
foolishly.' aie1 ri i /
For one obstinately bent senl being
miserable, there. is no remedy Ike let
ting alone. So dropped the subject.
Mrs. Winthrop's parlors were filed |
with the elite and beauty of the city
was happy toimeet and greet so many
of my friends atonee, and not little
astonished at some of the changes time
had wrought. Boys and girls had
budded into psn and women, ardmsnyl