Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-11-07
;, afraid he will ill-trcat her when he

"Oh, nonscnscl She Is very well
able to take care of herself, and YOU
will make her decent allowance.
30 Mr.. Dexter went to meet the
Count, having made up his mind TO put
his niece's plan into operation. The
interview was brief. The Count avowcd
his devotion to Miss Dexter, and formal
ly asked for her hand. Dexter, whose
rcpugnance TO the fascinating foreigner
rather increased than diminished, point
blank refused to entertain the proposal.
The Count waxed eloquent and expostu-
latory; enlarged upon the splcndor of
his family and the extent of his posses
sions; went even so far as to produce n
number of papers which established his
identity beyond all reasonable doubt,
and invited Mr.. Dexter TO come into his
private room and inspect n quantity of
foreign orders and patents OF nobility.
But the American was obdurate; and,
seeing that all his pleading was in vain,
the Count went of in terrible rage.
The next few days were somewhat
trying, both for uncle and niece. As
soon rs Miss Annie heard the dreadful
news of her lovers rejection she at
tackled her guardian with every species
of argument and abuse she could in
vent, and was only pacificd by the
threat that he would disclose her identi-
ty. Failing to make an impression up
on him she rcsortcd to Clara. whom she
pcstcrcd for her good offices, and re-
preached bitterly for having marred her
prospects in life.
MY dear Annie" protested Clara.
81 assure you it had nothing to do with
me. i should be delighted to see you
the Countess of Splitzcntoff Uncle
takes such violent dislikcs, You know.
If l were you should clopc; he will be
sure to come round afterward.
''My dear Clara, what magnificent
ideal" cried Annie, embracing her cfltls-
lively.
AS the days passed the love-lorn
young lady's temper improved materi-
ally; the Count was as devoted as ever
in his attentions, though less obtrusive,
and the Dcxters, uncle and niece, pro-
fessed to take no notice of the affair.
The st. Leger week came on, and the
hotels were crowded to suffocation. The
night before the great race there was n
ball ut the Regalia of unusual splendor.
81 suppose you are going tonight,
AnnieP" inquired Clara.
"Yes, with Mrs. Mungo; and have
Il great favor to ask-pcrhaps it may
be the last" said the young lady, de-
murcly.
"What is it?"
al want you to lend me your dia-
monds. | am SO anxious to look well
tonight"
"Oh, yes, you may have them,"
answered Clara, smlingly. Don't
forget to leave them behind, though"
So Miss Annie went to the ball
arrayed in Miss Dexters Jewels, and
naturally enjoyed herself immensely.
The next day nearly every one in the
hotel went off to Doncaster. The Scar
borough air had done Clara so much
good that she determined to accompany
her uncle. Annie, however, pleaded
fatigue and bad headache, and Dexter
did not press her to go. just before
starting Clara entered her uncle's room.
''Lend me two hundred pounds ster-
ling" she said, laughing.
"What for?" he asked. with a re.
sponsive grin.
Now you know you are not to ask
IuNotioho, puI W W. NOtt
Arriving on the course, Dexter dis
posed of his niece and began strolling
about the ring. Presently he felt a
touch on his sleeve.
Il beg your pardon, sare," said some
one with strong foreign accent, "but
haf | ze pleasure to address Mr.. Dex.
ter?"
That's sol" said Dexter, turning
round.
Two men stood before him, one tall
and somewhat distinguished looking,
the other shorter, with Il sharp, hatchet
face and business-likc appearance.
Dexter fancied that he had seen the tall
man before. Oddly enough, he was
singularly like Count Spltzentoff, bu,
his whiskcrs were nearly white, and his
face was wrinkled and worn, rs if from
recent illness. Moreover. ..he might
have been at least thirty years older
than the Count, but still there was Il
| likeness.
"You are Mr.. Dexter" he continued,
with much volublity and many gesticu
lations; "then you know mtscraJl,
who calls himself the Count Splitzen
tof1, and reside ut the Hotel Regalia!
WIZ 10 lc CitH you lell l1ct
=" Hanged if l know" said Dexter
feeling somewhat uneasy.
" Is he not hercp" cried the stranger
excitedly.
"No; l don't think he came. Ill
or something"
Hang the fellowr' interposed til,
short man. He's given us the slip. ;
This, sare, is to you a mystery
said the other, trembling with rage. :"
ann &c Count Splitzentotf; that sacrt
brigand is my valet, Jules lie Guillon
Look, you, sare, he is volcur-what
you call piquc-pocket. L am mt Naples;
| catch re accurscd cholera; lie Gull.
Ion, he pack me to n hospitals; | grow
worse; he leaves me to die: he 90 &c
my hotel; he steal my luggage, my
money, &c my papers-everything; he 60
off l know not where. But / recover
l get on his traces, wis re aid of my
good friend Monsieur Ferret, of Scot
land yard. AT last / have catch him
is not SOP"
Dexter was not easily surprised; bu
he started at the infuriatcd stranger
with amazement.
The dickensr' he calculated.
Perfectly correct, sir" said Mr.
Ferrett 81 But we are wasting time
Where is the gcntlemanp"
AT Scarborough, l believe"
BY Jove! trust he mayn't have
got clear off! If / had only wired to
the police! But wanted to collar him
myself"
Dexter prompt. found his niece, and
the whole party returned to Scarbor.
ough as fast as special train could
carry them. The journey was by nc
means n pleasant one. The real Count
was frantic at the thought of losing his
prey, Ferrett was silent and sulky,
while Dexter was seriously uneasy
about Annie.
~ never meant to let her in for any
thing like this" he whispered to Clara
who was crying quietly in corner.
"Where is Count Srlitzentoff?'
shouted the party in chorus, when they
arrived at the Rogalia.
"Went to London this morning or
|