Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-09-29

(" Hush there Is some one at the
gate Perhaps it's Count Alexander"
The stately portal slowly swung back
| to permit the exit of an old man in q
Tyrolean suit The old man smoked !
pipe, and on perceiving us, respectfully
lifted his hat.
Lester was for moving rapidly on, but
crossed the road and entered into
conversation with the venerable re-
tainet OF the house OF Starnberg, for
such he proved to be.
| Presently called out to Lester.
Here's news for YOU" cried.
THE whole family have fitted
"What" and he actually staggered.
Went off for the o'clock train to
Murnan for Munich"
it."
Ask the old chap yourself"
Lester poured a whole broadside of
questions into the gatekeeper which the
other answered seriatim. He knew that
the noble family had gone to Munich,
but whether they intended remaining
he could not say. The housekeeper at
the schloSs could tell. Wouldn't the
well born sirs walk up and ask her?
We adopted the suggestion. The
honsekeepera staid, serene, elderly
lady, who wore speetacles, and scruti-
nlzed us over them-received us in a
great oak hall surrounded by gallery
and adorned with trophies of the chase.
Efgies in armor grimly confronted us,
and couple Of stuffed wolves seemed
ready to go for the calves of our legs,
fixing us with their glittering eyes as
the Ancient Mariner riveted the wan
dering attention Of the wedding guest.
From the grim ianitresss we learned
that the family had departed
for Munich, en- route to Vienna; that
the countess was en- service as maid-of-
honor to the empress of Austria; thst
the imperial lady, who had been visit
ing her mother at the Garden Of Roses,
on Lake Starnberg, had telegraphed
for the young countess to come into
waiting at Munich, and that the young
countess had had but few hours no.
tice.
"Well, MARSHALL" T exclaimed, as
we emerged into the moon-lighted car
riage drive.
I'm off to Vienna he said.
Boshis
You may pooh-pooh me as you will,
Noel; but one glance passed between
that beautiful girl and myself which
has sealed my fate"
81 should like to see her glance If
you asked her to become Mrs. L., and
go into French fiat in New York?" 1
laughed.
"She would go into shanty with
the man she loved.
Eyes, with prince, or a margrave,
OF an elector, or grand duke, or a
gsrene high miphtiness."
Love levels all ranks low, Noel"
"'And lays the scepter beside the
shepherds crook Claude Melnotte
takes the stand, if you please"
I reasoned, bullied, cajoled and
eventually laughed Lester into abandon
ing the idea of following his ignus
fatuus.
81 could get presented at the Aus
trian court by our minister" he urged.
That would not present you to the
Countess Starnberg."
COYl1OA hu I'LL 0fSubD cC6 A6r, D0
near her, bathe in the sunshine of her
beauteous presence"
"'The imperial family are now going
to Ischl, Isee, by the Ertra6lott. There
they live in complete retirement. Any
how, wait till the court season next
January. Try and get on the legation
staff. A second secretary is somebody. 2
We visited Vienna, and spent a day
at Schonbrunn. A young officer with
whom we got into conversation at this
charming palace, and who dined with
us in the evening at the celebrated
Ronnacher's, had the honor of being
acquainted with the Starnberg family,
and when he announced that the young
Countess Katrinka was engaged to the
grand duke of some place with yard
long name, I thought poor Marshal
Lester would have tainted.
He actually dropped from that hour
became silent, moody and moroFe,
and was glad when we struck Havre
and the good ship st. Laurent on our
return trip.
On board was Mr.. Dysart, the banker.
OF Wall street, very agreeable gentle
man, and the only American on board
with ourselves. His family, consisting
Of his wife, son and daughter, accom-
panied him.
Miss Dysart did not show until the
third day, as the weather had been
little disagreeab1e and miserably cold.
"Might ask you to spread this rug
on that deck chair" said Mr.. Dysart,
handing Lester, who stood near, gem
uine Culloden plaidie.
Lester, with bad grace enough, flung
it over the chair, and was about moving
forward when Mr.. Dysart and daughter
barred his passage.
Good heaven r
This exclamation came from my com
panion as he reeled against the bull
warks.
Are you unwell, Marshal ?" anx-
iously inquired.
followed his gaze.
There, right in front of us, leaning
on Mr.. Dysart's arm, and blushing a
rosy-red, stood the Countess of Starn-
berg, or, rather, Miss Florence Dysart.
She had been on visit with the
Starnbergs. The other girl was the
countess.
| am to be Marshal Testers best man.
| Helped the President.