West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-11-28
What am / 10 saY?N

tnOuEus Oh cOuISt, snail 1--WE ner some
thing when she marries. -
That is little awkward" said Miss
Clara, musing. 1--WE must think IL
over. Have you made any inquiries
about himP'
yes. and have no reason to believe
that he is not the man he represents
himself TO be. He is well known both
at Paris and Cannes And yet l believe
he is fraud"
That is quite possible; but if he
really be Count Spliizentoff, / don't see
why Annie should not marry him."
"But he thinks she is worth mil
lionP'
Let him think SOL
IL am not going to tell the man
pack of lies "
II don't want you to-" said the in
valid, with unusual animation. "At-
tend to me- When SplitZcntofr proposes,
you must positively refuse to hear of
1t, without saying a word about her
prospects"
And thcnp"
why then they will elope, of
coursc,N
Dexter burst out laughing "Well,
that Is certainly an ingenious idea. But
| am afraid he will ill-treat her when he
finds out"
"Oh. nonsense! She is very well
able to take care of herself, and YOU
will make her decent allowance.
80 Mr.. Dexter went TO meet the
Count, having made up his mind to put
ms niece's plan into operation. The
interview was brief. The Count avowed
his devotion TO Miss Dexter. and formal
~ asked for her hand. Dexter whose
! repugnancc 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 splendor of
his family and the extent of his posses
Slons; went even so far as to produce IA
number of papers which established his
identity beyond all reasonable doubt.
and invited Mr.. Dexter to come into his
private room and inspect Il 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 off 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 pacifcd by the
threat that he would disclose her idcnti-
ty. Failing to make an impression up
on him she resor ed to Clara, whom she
peStercd for her good offices, and re-
preached bitterly for having married her
prospects in life
My dear Annie, protested Clara.
81 assure You it had nothing to do with
me. should be delighted TO see YOU
the Countess of Splitzenton. Uncle
takes such violent dislikcs. YOU know.
If were you | should elope; he will be
sure To come round afterward"
My dear Clara, what magnificent
ldea! cried Annie, embracing her ellus-
lively.
A. the days passed the love-lorn
young iady's temper improved materi-
any the Count was rs devoted rs ever
in his attentions, though less obtrusive.
ana the DeNtcrs, uncle and niece. pro-
1eSSed to take no notice of the affair
me Ut. Lcger week came on, and the
hotels were crowded to suffocation. The
night before the great race there was n
ball at the Regalia of unusual splcndor.
Annie?' inquired Clara.
yes, with Mrs Munoo: and | have
a great favor to ask-pcrhaps it may
be the last" said the young lady, de-
murely
What is it?"
81 want you to lend me your dia-
monds. | am so anxious to look well
tonight
"Oh, yes. you may have them"
answered Clara, smilingly. Don't
forget to leave them behind, though"
SO Miss Annie went to the ball
arrayed in Miss Dexter 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 a bad headache. and Dexter
dld not press her to go just before
starting Clara entered her unclc's room
Lend me two hundred pounds ster-
ling. she said, laughing.
What for?' he asked, with a re-
SponSivc grin.
Now you know you are not to ask
questions, but TO do as YOU are told"
Arriving on the course, Dexter dis
posed of his niece and began strolling
about the ring. Presently he felt a
touch on his sleeve.
81 beg your pardon, sarc, " said some
one with strong foreign accent, "but
hat ! Ne pleasure to address Mr.. Dcx-
ter?"
"Tha,s SOL" said Dexter, turning
round
Two men stood before him. one tall
and somewhat distinguished LOOKING.
the other shorter, with a sharp. Ratchet
face and busincss-likc appearance
Dexter fancied that he had seen the tall
man before. Oddly enough. he was
,ingularlv like Count SplitzentoT but
ms Whiskers were nearly white. and his
face was wrinkled and worn. ~ if from
q recent illness. Moreover. he MIGHT
have been at least thirty years older
than the Count, but still there was
likeness
You are Mr. Dexter. he continued
with much vOlubility and many pesticu-
latious then YOU know DiiyerabIc
who calls himself the Count Spliizop-
ton and reside at the Hotel Regalia?
were is hc-can YOU tell mc?"
Hanged if know" said Dexter.
feeling somewhat uneasy.
is hc not hcre?" cried the stranger.
excitcdly
No; ! don't think he came. III.
or something
Hang the fellow intarposed the
short man. He's given us the slim e
This, sarc, is 20 you mystery g"
said the other trembling with rage. ~
am ~ Count Splitzenton: that sacre
brgaud is my valet, jules le Guillon
Look, you, sarc be is - vOlcur- what
you call pique-pocket am AT Naples.
J catch ~ accursed cholera; lie Gull.
lon' nc pack roe 20 a hospital. grow
worse he leaves me 10 die: he 20 10
my hotel. be steal my luggage. INV
money. my papcrs everything: he 20
on ] know not where But / recover
J get ou Dis traces. wis ze aid Of INV
good friend Monsieur Fcrrctt. Of Scot
land yard AZ last J have catch him
b. NOT -p,
Dexter was not easily surprised. but
hc started at the Infatuated stranger
with HmHIgmcuf