Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-08-13

that he generally said to me when |
went to church: "Greet the good God
for mel" This, which he mimicKed
from some grown-up person, was the
delight OF all the nursery, and baby re-
peated it to make the others laugh.
felt remorseful at the thought Of
my son, doubtless calling me at that
moment-nO bourbon placed in reserve,
no caress for the nights repose. Was
1t possible that this Count Alexis, with
his black eyes, had made me forget my
little boy? recalled with horror that
in fact had not troubled myself about
the child since the night before. Still
worse, after his walk, when he had
come in, had Neglected to have him
brought to me. Was ] going to forget
to be another? And for whomy For
a pair of black eyes and little bonn
bast.
A carriage stopped before the flight
of steps in front of the house, deposited
some one, and dashed noisily under the
porte cochere, making all the nick
hacks around me tremble. 1t was the
Count coming in.
But he promised me that l should be
alone, cried |, mentally. 1t is abomina
BILE; he is breaking his word! And
what would he think of me if he found
me here?
heard a step approaching the door
of the apartment, the cinking of spurs
and the grating of KEY in the lock. |
hurried into the little ante chamber;
| flung on my cloak without taking
time to put my arms in my sleeves; |
slipped on to the staircase, taking care
to double-locK the door behind me by
the means of the precious GOLD key
which l carefully carried away.
Five minutes later | was at home,
rather breathless. | ran first of ali to
baby's bedside. who, very solmn, was
seated upright, declaring to his nurse
that in the first place he would not go
to sleep until he had seen mamma. aud
that there was no u.e in teasing him
When he saw me, baby held out his
arms and said to the frightened nurse:
81 told you she would comel" After
which, having kissed me, he lay down
on his pillow, shut his eyes and his fists
and went to sleep.
had hardly had time to change my
dress when l heard horses stop beneath
my window. seated myself verv COM
fortably in my usual place, and ordered
tea to be served.
Count Alexis entered, with his hair
tossed about, looking very tragic, and
with eyes filled with passion.
THANK God" cried he, find you
alive"
His voice, his manner, all seemed to
me as false as possible.
"And why, dear Count, should not
be alive p' asked |, with the most tran
quill mien.
My assurance made him lose little
of his own.
But" said he, 81 had thought-you
went, did you not, dear Marie? You
went-you deigned ?"
l looked at him attentively, and,
thanks to know not what miracle,
saw in him now nothing but an actor
and not very good one.
"Why? Why? Where?"
He looked at me with an air of stu
pefaction. l could not help smiling.
"You forgot yesterday this small OBJ
ject on the table," said l, pushing the
key towards him. ut must be pre- cious;
do take it back"
Completely at loss, Count Alexis
took the key and put it into his watch
pocket without saying a word. The
servant who had just entered with
the tea on a waiter, offered him his
glass.
"No, l thank you" said he; 81 have
no time. am expected at home"
And he disappeared.
Now, when think of it. | cannot
help laughing; but that night | cried
bitterly. l cried from rage at the
thought that | might have ruined my
self for that fool. And all that for the
sake of eastern carpets and little
rhodomontade.
"Well, they say there is God for
children, and we must believe that
there is also for the giddy. AS for that,
they are about oAe and the same thing.
n.,t, NJ