The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-05-22

What, indeed. was this palace without
its lord! What did care fer caskets Or
scent boxes, without the dark eyes and
white teeth of Count Alexis! It was his
voice, his glance that gave me those
delicious sensations to which l surrendered
myself while shutting my eyes to their
danger That was what ] had come HI
search of; and not the satisfaction Of a
vulgar curiosity, that could be as well
gratiied in a museum or bric-a-brac
shop Eyes, decidedly" l said to my
self, finally, after having vaeillated lit
tie, 81 will remain. After all, l am
young and free. shall only wrong my
self; and If it pleases me for once to live
for myself, instead of living for the world,
| am my own mistress to act as choose. "
rose with decided air and walked
quickly round the room two or three times.
The carpet came from Persia, but mine
was much handsomer and much softer.
The motley design, which had at first
sight seemed to me so piquant and orlgi-
nal, now only struck me as fantastic and
irregular. Decidedly preferred the Au-
busson Howers-beautiful full-blown roses,
symetrical lilies and proud peonies. This
remembrance of civilized Europe brought
me back to less poetical thoughts. My
nome seemed to me charming just then;
but the recollection of my mother-in-law,
the Princess D., the most disagreeable
of princesses and of mothers-in-law. threw
me back again into the realms of fancy.
At home often saw the Princess.
What does this matter? thought |. j
want to make the most of life! At this
hour women are dressing to go to balls, to
listen to the platitudes and to dance quad
rifles; here at least
A small clock struck half-past eight.
Its sound was exactly the same as that OF
a travelling clock that had received as a
present three years previously. Itwas at the
time of my sons birth. My husband not
knowing what to invent to give me pleas
ure-for he spoilt me dreadfully, my poor
husband-had ordered to be sent to me
from Paris this small clock, that was as
high as my finger and was placed in a
velvet case. 1t was rare gem, and since
that time it had counted the hours by my
sons cradle. At half-past eight | always
went to kiss him in his bed for the night;
he knew this so well that he always waited
for the clock to strike to call out:
Mamma" At this cry, the nurse came tt
call me if | was not there, and my baby
received his evening kiss; after which hi
went to sleep Immediately, as if touched
by a magic wand. had not seen my sor
that night before setting out. When
went to the theatre, or when dined out
was careful to kiss him before going, and
TO account to him for my absence. By the
help Of this precaution and Of a bonbor
placed in reserve for the moments of the
clocks striking, my little boy generally
went to sleep without any difficulty.
But that day l had not kissed baby;
what could have said to him? / had
told my servants that was going on foot
to vespers at the neighboring church
servants are of no importance; and, be.
sides, if we rendered them an explana
ton of all our actions-But my son
that was another matter. Without ex.
planning to myself why, ! felt that il
would be painful to me to lie to the child
and to hear him repeat the phrase that he
generally said to me when | went t.
church: ''Greet the good God for mel
This phrase, which he mlmicked from
some grown-up person, was the delight o.
all the nursery and baby repeated 1t t.
make the others laugh.
| felt remorseful at the thought of my
son, doubtless calling me at the moment
mo bonbon placed in reserve no cares
for the nights repose. Was it possible
that this Count Alexis, with his blacl
eyes, had made me forget my little boy
| realized in horror that in fact had no,
troubled myself about the child since the
night before. Still worse, after his walk
when he had come in, had neglected t.
have him brought to me. Was going Il
forget to be mother? And for whom
For pair of black eyes and little bonn
bast!
A carriage stopped before the flight o
steps in front of the house, deposited som,
one, and dashed noisily under the porte
cochere, making all the kniek-knackl
around me tremble. 1t was the Coun
coming in.
But he promised me that | should b.
alone! cried mentally. 1t is abomina
BILE; he is breaking his word! And vha
would he think of me if he found mt
here?
Iheard step approaching the door o
the apartment, the clinking of spurs ant
the grating of key in the lock. hur
ried into the little ante chamber; fiune
on my cloak without taking time to pu,
my arms in the sleeves; slipped on t.
the staircase, taking care to double-locs
the door behind me, by the means Of tn;
precious gold-key which carefully carried
away.
Five minutes later was at home, rather
breathless. ran first of all to the baby.
bedside, who. very solemn, was seated up
right, declaring to his nurse that in the
first place he would not go to sleep until
ne had seen mamma, and that there was
no use in teasing him. When he saw me-
baby held out his arms and said to the
frightened nurse:
IL told you she would GOMEZ" After
which, having kissed me. he lay down on
his pillow, shut his eyes and his fists-and
went to sleep.
hardly had time to change my dress
when | heard horses stop beneath my
window | seated myself very comforta-
bly, in my usual place and ordered tea to
be served.
Count Alexis entered, with his hair
tossed about, looking very tragic, and with
eyes filed with passion.
Thank God," cried he, 81 find You
alive,"
His voice. his manner, all seemed to me
as false as possible.
"And why. dear Count, should not be
aliye?" asked |. with the most tranquil
mein.
My assurance made MIN lose little Of
his own.
But" said he. 81 had thoueht-you
went, did you not, dear Marie? You went
you deigned?"
looked at him attentively. and. thanks
to know not what miracle, saw in him
now nothing but an actor-and not a very
good one.
went? Why? WhereP"
He looked at me with an air of stupe-
faction could not help smiling.
'You forgot yesterday this small objec.
on the table," said /, pushing the key
toward him. at must be precious; do
take it back"
Completely at a loss, Count ALEXIS took
| the key and put it in his watch pocket