Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-09-11
A Story With Some Romance.
A Novel Lady's Maid.

A Novel Lndy's Maid.
Three months ago a wealthy lady,
wife of O man who accumulated wealth
rapidly and bought snug country
residence at Oyster Bay, N. Y, adver-
tised for a lady's maid. Madame is a
woman of refinement. In response to
her advertisement there came deluge
of applications. But out of the whole
there was only one who seemed likely
to suit. This successful applicant was
an italian girl of twenty-four or twenty
eight summers, dark complexion, with
lustrous black eyes and an abundance
of that deep black hair for which Italian
ladies are Justly famed. She had the
air and manners of lady. She spoke
only broken English, but sufficiently
well to make herself understood. She
played and sung like prima donna.
She wore sad expression, like one
carrying a great trouble; but when
pleased and reused her smile was
peculiarly sweet and attractive. OF
course madame was delighted, and
secured the rare prize instantly at her
own terms, which were not e1travagant-
ly high. Madame saw how useful such
a lady would be to herself, her children
and her own little social circle. can
not give even the initials of this fair
Signorita without pointing out too
plainly her identity. Madame made
signorita her companion and friend,
not her menial. Madame showered
tokens of affection upon her, and en-
deavored to introduce her to her friends.
But here madame met with opposition.
SignoriSa, willing and unselfsh in
other matters, positively refused to be
shown outside of the family circle in
which she was engaged. She repelled
all advances from strangers with a
hauteur that forbade perseverance.
Well, what of all this !? Why occupy
so much space with preliminaries l.? Be-
cause the advent of signorita, the beau
tiful and mysterious brunette, has had
romatic sequel. Beauty always at
tracts admirers and lovers, and sig
norita's was no exception. In the
vicinity of Syosset lives q young gentle
man of fine accomplishments but slim
means. One day the vision of signorita
burst upon him and he was instantly
transformed into a mad lover. In vain
he essayed to interview the lady on
various trifing prete1ts resorted to by
love-stricken youths. He followed her
'to her home. He procured an intro
duction to madame, and sought this to
become acquainted with the mysterious
signorita. But all his pains resulted in
q barren introduction and the exchange
of few commonplace words. Though
it was evident to him from the first
that he could make no impression,
still his infatuation was SO great that
he was always watching about the house
and following the italian beauty in her
walks or drives. This, of course, was
extremely unpleasant to the lady, who
in time was compelled to relinquish
much of her outdoor exercise through
fear of the opportunities of her love-
stricken prosecutor.
In Laurelton there was stopping
about the same time wealthy young
gentleman from New York, of Prussian
family and good presence. This young
gentleman also met signorita, and also
fell over head and heels in love. But,
like o true Prussian, he was cautious
and more diplomatic in his demonstra-
tions than the hot-bleeded young Syos-
setter. These two young men, con-
sumed by the same passion, worshiping
the same beauty and striving for the
same conquest, were utterl y unconscious
OF each others existence until some Two
weeks ago. 1t happened that one day
signorita was out walking, and as usual
followed like ashadow by the Syossetter.
The latter, in fit of mad desperation,
approached the lady and insisted on
opening O conversation. He told his
love, of course, explained how it would
be impossible for him to live without
her love, and implored for some slight
mercy and hope. Signorita remained
dumb and immovable. In frenzy of
love the poor young fellow seized her
hand and madly beseeched her to relent.
The only response was scream OF ter
ror, followed by the sudden appearance
of the young Prussian-lover No. Pin
the role of defender of injured inno-
CeuCe. IIuSoluu ouppoocu OyoSSetSh w
be some rowdy offender, and promptly
interfered by knocking the latter in the
head and ribs as skillfully as John
Heena n or Joe Coburn might have
done it.
In the meantime the lady escaped to
her hom e, leaving the Prussian and
Syossetter alone. When the latter re-
covered somewhat from his unexpected
drubbing, he demanded an explanation,
and the usual result followed-a chal.
lenge according to the code. 1t is said
both the parties proved courageous,
but of the details of the duel l have
been unable to learn anything accurate,
or even whether any duel occurred at
all. All I can learn with certainty is
that the Syossetter is laid up at his
home in disabled condition, and that
the Prussian has taken himself to parts
unknown.
AS to the lady, nobody seems to know
where she comes from or what are her
antecedents. Those who have con-
versed with her hug the theory that she
is an italian noblewoman, though how
she came to be reduced and why her
antipathy to society are mysteries that
remain unfathomed. Since the unfor-
tunate rencontre between the two lovers
she has removed from her country home