Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-05-10

sibility. Her own talents were called
forth by his, and she could but feel that
she was appearing to advantage in the
eyes fthe pensive stranger. But some-
what to her disappointment. he left her,
without q word Of excuse.
'.Sureiy," thought Edna, she will
ask me to dance;;" but no, he returned
no more that evening
She went home little ptqued. The
next evening she met him again, but he
merely bowed and passed on. A few
flights afterwards they met once more
at = friends house. Towards the end Of
the evening after Edna had seen him
admired and fattered by half the ladies
in the room, she was rather surprised
when he came and took quiet seat be
side her. They fell into pleasant con-
versation. The count had been great
traveller, and Edna discovered he had
been to South America She ventured
timidly to ask IL he had met Henry Lo-
rane.
"Yes met him in Valparaiso several
times a fine fellow and great pet with
the ladies'"
Edna blushed,
"Is he particular friend of yours ?"
asked the count.
"Yes; that is-no, not very particu-
lar friend" answered Edna, growing
embarrassed as she thought she saw
smile on the counts face. She added
hurriedly, and blushing deeply:
'Only slight acquaintance"
"The count seemed well pleased with
her answer. He remained beside her
sometime longer, and after wards asked
her to dance, an invitation which she
accepted, and was SO charmed with her
partner, as hardly to be conscious of the
eclat of dancing with the handsomest
man in the rOom-he whose smiles all
were seeking.
On the following day, the count call.
ed, and afterwards they met constantly,
and as by mutual impulse, seemed to
seek each others society. The count
grew mere and more devoted. He waltz
ed superbly, and Edna, was often his
par. ner in this fascinating dance. He
invited her to ride, and those rides were
dangerous things. The count rode even
better than he waltzed, aud looked no
hly on his proud steed. Once, when
Edna's horse was restive, and her coln-
panion was Obliged to sooth aud encour.
age the frightened girl. her heart was in
great danger. If his own was in equal
peril, he did not show it. He was al
ways calm and imperturbable. Edna
could not decide what his feelings were,
but she was almost sure be did not love
her. Sometimes inueed, she thought it
possible If she were only sure Of 1t,
she said to herself. she would know how
10 act towards him. .
Que evening. after two months &C.
quaintance with the count, E,lna gave
u party While at her toilet she con
suited her mirror with more than usual
ca,e. She bestowed more pains In ar
RI nging her fiue dark bair than ever
before, aud debated half hour before she
could decide between white Grape and
pink silk. The white was chosen a.
last, and with spray of white myrtle
in her hair, she looked unusually love
ly
The evening advanced, but he count
did not appear. Edna's color rose aid
fan ed every time the door opened and
closed but he did not come until she
had almost given him up She return
ed his greeting almost c0ldly, but fell
her displeasuTe melting under the charm
of mis- conversational lM,wers His mah-
ner to her was so deffrr rential, So prOud>
~ tender, that her heart sOftened to him
in spite of herself.
| He was called upon to sing, and Edna
listened, strangely moved to the rich
voice and the impassioned words of his
song As he ceased singing, his eyes
sought hers. as though he sung for hel
alone; he was soon again by her side,
and contrived after time to lead hel
into the garden.
The night was soft and warm; they
L . 1%n To a
suppressed voice. said:
"Dear Miss Edna, permit me to say
to you one word, and ask you ques-
tiOn.0
| Edna wished to speak, but she could
not utter word.
The count went on:
~ would must tell you briefly, but
truly, that l love you, and ask If you
can-if you do-love me In return"
Edna was so agitated she could scarce.
| lv SUPPORT herself. The count perceiv.
| ing this hastily threw his arm around
her as If to support her; then as quick.
| lv Withdrew It, and rather embarrassed
offered his arm. Edna struggled fol
Icalmness, but as she pressed her hand
| to her bosom, she teit there Henry's last
letter and grew more and more unde-
cided. After violent mental conflict
she said:
"You will think it very strange, but
cannot answer your question I feel that
| I do not know my heart; cannot de.
eide what ought to do"
She paused, trembling nervously.
"Do not be agitated," said the count
tenderly, "much as I suffer, while my
fate is undecided, you shall not be huT'
ried in making your decision. TAKE
what time you wish to understand yOul
own feelings. Permit me to ask wheI
can know your determination"
| "Edna hastily named the next day
and, escaping from him. ran to her owr
room 10 endeavor to compose herself be
fore appearing among her guests.
| When she returned to the parlor th'
count was not there. Inexpressibll
tiresome seemed the time until the com
pany departed. Edna passed . sleep
less night. When the count was IN
nounced on the following day she wen
down to see him with calm and hecid
ed air: but when he came for ward t
meet her, with his tine eyes full Of low
and anxiety. she felt her heart sink, ant
she said quickly, in order not to Civ
herself tune to relent:
ut gives ME more pain than can ex
press, to feel that am disappointing q
noble heart as yours; but | confess t
you-and l hope you will pardon n
for not knowing my own heart soone
that another unknown even to my
self. had my love before | k,.ew you,
The count grew pale. Edna went OF
in y falterlDg voice:
'.B-Iieve NE, dear friend, when | te
i you have never known any one wboI
/ Irrgard SO highly HI Yourself. save one
land am sure had never know aenr
Lorraine, should love you"
Henry Lorspe!" cried the count JOY
fully. "Ah! EDNA, dear Edna, you III
then my own forever" And he claspe
her In his arms
Dear Hebry," said Edna, after 81
had recovered from her amazemen
"hOw blind / was not to have know
+ you sooner, though you have 90 greatl
. changed. But tell me why all this dl
lguise and mystery
ut w.s the great change that ha
taken place in my appearance" sal