Litchfield enquirer., 1872-03-14

 whence he could gaze into the countess's bbx and from this point he had watched lt4 t4<nmates. {. He saw the door open to ad- nl feyeral people, and the countess lean ing on the arm of very elegant gentle man. @ @ 5ls #st& ;Sss7E If1lIa
 The yiolinist Gottfried, !" said 8 com municatiye neighbor;; they say he is to marry her. .Tafs
 ''Soi" said Brock. s t~-+ 34er
 The opera was Robert" The princess on the stage was singing uncommonly flat. The countess leaned languidly back among the crimson draperies, and played with her white bouquet, while oyer itspe- tals her eyes fixed themselves on Gott- fied's face. ss
 Robert Robert ich liebe dich, D sang the princess. -e Gottfried lifted his glance, and met the gaze of the countess. Such wild, long ing look was in those beautiful eyes. The words of the song seemed empty. The actress seemed doll. For moment in tense sorrow filled his heart She had been so good to him; she was SO beautiful and noble s1 will tell her of my little Nina" he thought. seThat must help her back to her peaceful life It is the music that has reused this spirit" He drew near his friend and leaned over her. The color flashed into her face. *'
 fGnadige Grain, he said, s'this music moves you, and it touches me too, this passionate music of love; for it brings to my heart the thought of a fair little maid en whom am going soon to see. In a few days I shall leave Berlin, though she does not expect me now" He went on very quietly, yet he knew that her face was burning, that her eyes were as though she had become blind. ''I have spoken to no one in Berlin of my happiness; but far away my Nina is waiting for me until am rich enough to claim her from the old father. You have been so true a friend to me, you have helped me so, that to you feel must tell of my treasure She is very young and fair, and she loves me The countess bowed She was very. pale now, even her lips. Two tears fell upon the crimson cushion; then suddenly she stretched out her hand, and closped it for an instant round his wrist. She bent over her flowers. The opera went on. The next day Gottfried called at the chateau to bid the lady farewell He was not admitted. On his table at night he found little packet with this note
 ''When dear friend, you see once more that sweet maiden who has pighted you her troth, give her this token from one:who knew you and esteemed your genius, and who prays that Heav- en may bless your two true hearts. JEssoNDA.
 Herr Brock from his seat had watched the by-play in the countess's box; and though he had heard no words, he had carefully marked the earnestness of the young man. and the countess's rapt atten- ton. What did it mean? He had heard many rumors of Gottfried's marriage with the Countess Jessonda. What he had seen was enough to confirm them. He would not go to see Gottfried; he would hasten home to his friend Vreder with the information he had already obtained. 'And Hans shall decide. It will be best for Nina to marry Theodore Bilde- man at once. He loves her truly, and she should reward him. This will suit the Burgermeister we'll" t
 Brock came next day, and father Vre- Ger and he talked and smoked themselves into an excited state of mind. Then there was another meeting with Herr Bildeman.
 ''Mein Kind ,'' said Vreder. with solemn air, "hast thou heard from Gottfried of late? Has he mentioned the Countess Jes- sonda ?"
 ''Yes, my father; Godfried often speaks of his beautiful friend
 "Mina, thou shouldst think no more of Gottfried. Little one he is not true to thee. AIT Berlin is full of the tidings of his approaching marriage with this noble lady"
 ''Is that what Herr. Brock had to tell thee ?"
 Nina was standing by her fathers chair Her hands, that had been playing with the tassel of his cap, fell idly by her sides.
 "Mein Kind, the good Herr Brock saw them at the opera speaking together as on- ly those who are betrothed should speak; and he believes that the report is true that Gottfried will marry the countess.
 ''The Herr Brock is not good, my fath- CT. He has not told the truth"
 She walked quickly away from his side and stood by the window, looking out at the sky and the little white clouds sailing about
 Nina, thou art wrong to speak so of thy old friend. Burgermeister Bilde- mad heard of this first. He too thinks it.
 '1 do not believe the Herr Bildeman."
 ''1n whom will thou believe, then, thou scrazy child? Thou shalt have nothing
 cFe to do with this Gottfried. Dost thou 'near me {? Thou shalt believe me-
 The old man had risen from his chair, still grasping it with one hand, while with the other he held defiantly aloft the Hut tering blue silk cap, which he had in his wrath plucked off by the tassel. His little round eyes peered angrily through his spectacles, and the color had mounted to his shining bald crown.
 "Mina, answer me-"
 She came up to him then, and laid her hands upon his breast. Her eyes were very bright, though her lips trembled.
 Father, thou knowest that I love Gott- fried. must believe him. He is not false to mel know it. Only have pa- tience, and thou too shalt know that he is true to his little Nina"
 Then she left him, standing with his arms upraised. But she was gone, So he put his cap on again, sat down, and lighted his pipe.
 Did she mean to disobey him He must talk it over again with Brock. Brock was a bachelor, and could decide more calmly than if he had children of his own.
 Nina had just left her father, and was hurrying to the quiet of her own room, that she might there think of her lover, and whisper softly how much she trusted
  him. But the house door was opened, and the head of the Burgermeister was thrust in. He gazed about through his great blue spectacles, and on seeing Nina standing in the psssage-way, he stepped quickly in and took off his hat.
 '.Ach, Fraulein, he said, q am most glad that have the good fortune to find you alone and unoccupied. am come to give you few words of friendly sympa- thy and advice. am aware that the fool ish attachment which you have entertain ed for the fa1se fiddler Gottfried is now at an end, and I would congratulate you on so fortunate an escape Let me inform you, iebes Fraulein, that my son Theo- dore, an excellent young man, and pos sessed of great talent, has long loved you most truly. He is rich, and also musi- clan, and can offer you handsome house and g brave income. would advise you, IL l. L1 l. a