The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-05-22
H,sreAanu,
THE RENDEZVOUS.
Little Adventure Of a Silly. Little
Woman.
BY HENRY GREyILLE

1t happened a long time ago-so long
that, when think of it, | cannot help
smiling, just as ifmy adventure concerned
some one else. Yet the portrait that see
before me hung facing my sofa, with fair
curls and dreamy eyes, is my own-that is,
as was thirty-tve years ago, when we
wore tight sleeves and English curls.
was a widow and had been one a suffi-
Gent lengthof time to find great enjoyment
in returning to society. | had worn
mourning for two years Grape throughout
the first year-so that my returning to the
world was quite proper By a clever
transition had passed from black to gray,
from gray to lilac, from lilac to pale pink.
so adroitly and so quietly that no one had
perceived 1t excepting my dressmaker,
whose account Charged me with three
gray dresses-three where the good
natured public thought it had seen only
one. An affair of shades!
had reached soft-blue, with roses in
my hair. when met at friends house
Count Alexis B.. He was one of the
most charming takers of that time, when
everyone prided himself on his wit; he
wore his HAIR like Lord Byron. had been
the friend of our ever-regretted Lemontof
and, moreover, when ont walking, had a
way of draping himself in his military
cloak that turned all heads. Mine was no
stronger than that Of others and did not
hold out any longer; it is true that Count
Alexis did his best, for he offered me his
homage in the most unequivocal fashion.
At balls he was my partner for the
mazurka; at concerts he was always
behind my chair. and when out driving
his open carriage, in which, with the aid
of the famous cloak, he was superbly
draped, passed and repassed before mine
ten times or more. Whatresistance could
| offer to so much fascination?
Nevertheless, there could be no question
of my marrying Count Alexis. My dearest
enemies took too much pains to induce
me to accept him, and my real friends,
those who had passed the age of harming,
were too urgent in their discussions.
Count Alexis was an Incompatible cava-
liere servante, but he was over head and
ears in debt, and. moreover, a great rake,
it was said. He would have been, it
seems. one of those husbands who turn
their backs on their wives at the end of a
week of married life! had son, and |
owed it 20 him to keep his fathers fortune
intact; if remarked it should be to a
steady and prudent man, who would
make good use of our money-in short |
could not marry Count Alexis. Every
one was agreed on that point, among the
very first.
Yes; but he was charming. His black
eyes, his stories of the Caucasus-at that
time only spoken of with poetical enthu-
siasm-his very follies had an irresistible
charm for me. Every evening met him
somewhere, and if. in sensible moment,
staid at home, at about 10 o'clock he
would be announced, and beg for the favor
Of "a cup of tea-could | refuse it to him?
| granted it, and these talks, b. the sof-
tened light of the lamp, in the solitude of
my little drawing-room, seemed to be more
dangerous than all the rest. felt the
danger so much that one night | forbade
him to return. He protested with his
usual eloquence.
"No," | said to him, sit is useless; all
this leads to nothing; we are losing our
time, you in asking me. | in defending
myself. Ny dear Count, you are irrssiti-
bic, but will never marry you"
Alexis assumed a tragic air that became
him admirably.
Accused fortune" murmured he.
that places gulf between you and me!
WHY are you not poor? With what ioy
would not have hailed You as my wife,"
shook nv head.
at is not my fortune" answered: at
is the little trust that can be placed in
you.
''ln me? what calumny!' cried my
lover. bounding.
He leaned against the mantel-piece and
detained some verses that described the
state of his soul. He was superb thus.
and his eyes Heasnatiyed me.
lyon are a mdHrais sHjef, said. smil
ing. but with downcast eyes. for feel my
self giving way: ''you are adored by all
women, and it is too much to he loved by
one"
He smiled in his turn. A rose was
blooming in glass of water on the table
beside me: it was he who had brought il
to me. He took it and scattered the petals
at my feet.
"Ali before one," said he. pointing to
the perfumed rose leaves strewn on the
carpet.
| was in very bad taste perhaps:
cannot tell: II was puerile, declamatory,
and meant nothing into the bargain. but.
thanks 10 the black eyes an to the poetry.
i! felt deeply moved.
Go away'" I said In low voice.
This was acknowledging myself unable
to continue the struggle. The Count I'M
derstood it. and threw himself at my feet.
What are you doing?' cried: '.yon
are mad. Some one will come in-you
Will compromise me"
Alexis was n great good for-nothing, but |
he was not stupid. He got up immedi-
stely, sat down at semi.iespectful dis-A