Litchfield enquirer., 1880-07-15
with her" as=ra -.

| "''Ai''o Soi |otiiCoS AuO III q LrGne0QOOS hurry he left Dora, and, seeking out his host, retired with him to corner and subjected him to series of rapid low toned questions Miss Morton, to the last degree irritated and aston shed. began to think that everybody was go- ng>a little mad. Meanwhile the minutes passed, and Starolyi returned not to his ae 1 glance. The aggrieved heauty was at last thankful to accept as partner small red fac ed oHlcer, who stuttered at all times and now agitated by his unexpected success, became completely. unintelligible.
 Arthur meanwhile had finished his conver- satlon with Mir. Stracey, and, with thought ful air. approached Mrs Qamer She. .receiv ed him with the most cordial kindness. and. like her niece, remarked on the unexpectetl- ness of his presence. r... i...-.... .s
 ',I was afraid you had left Farnleigh," she said.
 ''As have already told Miss Morton. I go tomorrow. And had intended not to return for three or four months but shall probably come back in as many days" was his an swer. "
 "Not on account of your aunt hope ?'s'
 My auntis all right. I was much aston- ished to learn just now that the gentleman with whom Miss Ferrers has been dancing is Count Starolyi." " ''+
 Had you not seen him before ?' asked Mrs. Damer iAsurprise . H
 "Strange to say, had not though had heard of him often enough"
 Il should think you had ?" exclaimed the old lady, viciously. ''I used tothink the Athen. ians very unreasonable for ostracising Aristi- des; but if they were half as sick of his vir. tues as am of Count Starolyis charms, I wonder they did not tie him up in a sack and drown him.''
 The energy of her manner made Lestrange smile. He was but human, though very fine fellow; and nobody minds hearing suc- cessful rival abused ''The Hungarian ap- pears to be no favorlte of yours. May ask wAyP" -.....,.'..-..
 T mistrust him." said Mrs. Damer, emphat- ically and confidently.
 . Il admire your penetration, I mistrust him also, but 2laasr eause, answered Arthur.
 ''You dol" exclaimed Mrs. Damer, excited ly. "Iell me your reasons. beseech you. l have, alas, personal motive for asking"
 II can guess it, said Lestrange in lowered tones, and turning a little pale. ''I would like to know, if you can conscientiously tell me, how matters stand with this man and and your niece. 1 ask with no thou ght of my self"
 'Iam sure of that," replied Mrs. Damer feelingly. 'Still, it pains me to have to tell you that my wiltul Dora has engaged herself to him. She is only waiting to make the en- gagement public until have heard from the Consul at Pesth, to whom wrote for informa- tion as to Starolyi's real position. If you could tell me anything-anything that would ) serve as pretext for refusing my consent to the marriage l would gladly avail myself of it, l believe the ohild's vanity is more , touched than her heart At any rate hope so" ...t'
 Lestrange was silent, and Mrs Damer glanc- ing furtively saw that the effort it cost him to master his strong emotion for the moment pre- cluded all possibility of speech The answer ing pang in her own heart filled her eyes with tears and for few moments she also found nothing more to say. ~
 Whatever the answer to your letter may be, remarked Lestrange at last, 'I feel no doubt in my own mind that our friend here is not all that he represents himself. At pres. ent, am not at liberty to say more, for I have no actual proof. But in few days shall re- turn to Farnleigh, armed with information In the meanwhile, my dear Mrs. Damer, he wound up in quick, energetic tones, 'I be. seech you not to trust your niece our of your } sight"
 ''Humph!" answered Mrs. Damer with melancholy humor. Considering the agility and caprcessof my niece the task you impose upon me, my friend is neither raterially nor morally easy. But l will do my best''
 ''And so will L" said the the young man, rising. ''And 'therew with-good-nigh !"
 'I oannot-no, cannot! Do not ask me, Max Think of my poor aunt! She has al- ways been so good to me. Would you have me break her heart? ?" ... t..
 Thus sobbing and imploring, spoke Dora to her lover about week after the events Ie- counted in the proceeding chapter
 Il understand You do not love me- You share Mrs Dancers insulting suspicious. You also wait for the answer from this Consul" said Starolyi, disdainfully, and releasing his hands from the clnging grasp of the weeping girl. . ..,...., ..s-'r,. -
 II do love you. believe every word you say to me. An angel from Heaven could not convince nie that you were less than tender and true, cried Dora; in despair at his accu- sations. But cannot elQpe with you. h. deed-indeed-it IS impossible. My aunt is old at this moment she is ill The shock might kill her. .'s >'i"t | "
 Bah as if anyone ever died with cold Madame Danler, on learning that you were gone, would lose her appetite for breakfast, .aEd recover it for dinner; and by the time you returned to her, would be ready to well come the Countess Starolyi with open arms"
 But why cannot you waltz" urged Dora, wavering: but not yet fairly convinced
 " have told you. l am summoned back by the Emperor And Starolyi produced d grand official looking document, which his companion could not readit being in Hun- garian. "Nar may break out at any moment l must return to the command of my troop. Would you have me not respond on the mo- ment to my countrys call ?"
 ',Oh, nO no ?" said Dora much afflicted. hiding her head upon'h his shoulder. sl
 Starolyi pressed her to his magnanimous heart, while he continued: Il may be wound en, even killed" (Dora shuddered.) ''You can have but small comprehension ot love if you do not feel, without the need of words from me, what joy l should have in calling you mine ere We part, and in knowing that, if fall, shall at least have left you mistress of my ancestral home, and owner of my | name." ' .,-f1.ss sst .sg5,.t .@y .s" ...
 To be widow at all IS very sad; to be soldiers widow, while equally sad, is inter- esting but to be both soldiers widow and Countess, is poetical form of desolation that was not likely to happen to many young la- dles of Farnleigh. To do our warm-hearted and affectionate, if foolish, Dora justice, she clung to her lover with the feeling that to lose him would be very crown of sorrow At the same time, the romantic charm of the picture which he conjured up made it more difficult than ever for the inexperienced and l impulsive girl to resist bis entreaties
 Starolyi had announced that morning that he must leave on the spot for Vienna At the same time, he had sent Dora to her aunt's l tooni UNITS. Dalner was lala up Wltn most inopportune cold D to ask permission for an immediate marriage by special license As may be imagined, Mrs. Damer had promptly and absolutely refused. Through her conf dential maid she sent telegram to Arthur Lestrange, putting him in possession of the facts as they stood, and urging him to speed in his researches :. A prey of, anxiety she l listened for every bell that might bring her news, and fretted cruelty at her own enforced inaction. .yThe only thought which gave her any comfort was that of the impending arrival of her married niece, Mrs. Corbett. That la l dy lived about thirty miles from Farniegh and Mrs Damer, when forced to keep her room had written begging her to come and