The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-05-21

dozen Uncre. lnere were uVe Ol US STU
dents at the Dorsets'-two or three
women, and young attorney.
"About the middle of the spring tern
Young lady, who called herself Isadore
Graham, came to town and began tax
ing her meals at Dorsets', representing
herself as a music-teacher, who was
about to start class. She was as
beautiful creature as | ever saw before
OF since-skin pure, and delicate as a
baby's; hair a light wavy chestnut; and
such eyes!-I couldn't tell you now
whether they were blue or brown OF
black, whether they were large and lus-
trous or small and ferrety. They pever
looked the same for two successive mo-
ments. When they rested upon you
they seemed to look clear into the very
marrow of your bones, and when there
was nothing special attracting attention,
she seemed to be looking at everything
at once.
"She didn't talk much, but what she
did say was said with such delicious
infections, and in such queenly man.
ner, that it gave the impression of rare
conversational ability and society ex-
perience.
"Of course we young fellows went
daft at once; but from the very first she
appeared to take fancy to me, and the
others had no chance. was powerfully
smitten, neglected my studies. dreamed
night and day of her beauty, and sought
her presence at all practicable moments :;
in short, was as big fool inside of
three days as any love-lorn swain that
ever breathed a sigh or tried to sing a
serenade.
81 knew nothing of her history, but l
was ready to stake existence on her re-
spectability, or even nobility; and in
manners and dress she did appear to be
perfect lady.
"The fourth evening of our acquaint-
ance l ventured to offer her present of
a dainty little throat-clasp. She received
it without a flutter of embarrassment,
thanked me graciously, and Immediately
fixed it in place. l felt very exalted, of
course, and it must have been nearly
midnight when | left her that evening,
and quite dark. 1 had passed but a
short distance beyond the gate when l
was startled by hearing her voice pro-
nounce my name in a Suppressed whis-
per close behind me. Icould hardly see
her face, even when she came beside me
and took my arm, but her voice indi-
Gated intense excitement.
Gel am going to tell you who 1 am
she said. Il would not do so in there,
for the very walls have ears, and every
thing and everybody seem to conspire
against me. You trust. You will not
betray me. | feel sure of it. Swear that
you will not
81 did as she commanded. Her
tones, her touch, thrilled me through
and through. | had left her so COM
posed, and she was now so agitated, that
it seemed as if some magic presto must
have wrought the change.
eel am not what I seem,' she contin-
ued, as we walked back and forth. INV
father was Count Magdolino of Italy.
Twenty years ago he was one of the most
powerful noblemen in that realm. But
he was exciled because of the misrepre-
sensations of envious tongues, and came
to this country. On the journey hither
| was born, my mother, the Countess,
dying in day or two after. Ny father
and lived in great hardship till one
year ago, when he died, leaving me al
most penniless. One week after his
death letter came informing me that
the decree banishing our family had
been revoked, and the former estate,
now mammoth fortune, was again ours.
"' l Immediately wrote to nv uncle,
living in England, of my fathers
death and my restitution, and waited
in vain for an answer. But 1 re-
ceived warning from an old
servant in my uncle's employ that he, my
uncle, had instructed agents to seize
me and keep me in close confinement.
At once the devilish plot flashed across
me. He would declare my death, and
seize my share of the estate. l fled at
once, and have up to this time escaped
his emissaries. But what shall l do? |
am a poor, helpless gir-lagainst pack
of bloodhounds who will leave nothing
undone to hound me to the death. This
is why tell you: 1 want your counsel
and aid. You are man, and can do
things without exciting suspicion
"What do you suppose 1 felt like,
girls, with that beautiful creature cling
ing close to me in the darkness, and in
the sweetest tones imploring my pro-
lection, and expressing confidence in
me. felt as though had grown about
two inches while she was speaking. I
was to be knlght-errant, gallant hero
protecting helpless beauty from the
Vaccinations of villainy. That was
what felt like; what 1 was, suppose,
is-an egregious ass. And yet,n and he
gazed musingly into the fire, 81 believe
l would rather relish the same condition
again for while.
81 needn't tell you all the VOWS |
made to her. l verify believe 1 should
blush. if l tried. I was young and
romantic, and her rare beauty and
charming manners dazed me past all
reason. After assuring her of my eter-
nal allegiance to her interests, would
have gone on and declared my passion,
but she left me as suddenly as She had
come, and gliding through the gate with
a whispered goodnight softly entered
the house.
"Several days passed, and 1 saw her
every evening. She often talked of her
past life, describing it, and the tales her
father had told her of Italy, with a mi
nuteness that would have banished all
my doubt, if l had room in my system
for such a thing. Her mother was