The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-11-07
I am afraid he wiz il-treat her when he

able TO take care OF neTSeII, anu you
will make her decent allowance. .
So 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 avowed
his devotion to Miss Dexter, and formal
" asked for her hand. Dexter, whose
repugnance 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
sions; went even so far as to produce
number of papers which established his
identity beyond all reasonable doubt,
and invited Mr.. Dexter to come into his
private room and inspect quantity of
foreign orders and patents of nobility.
But the American was ODD urate; 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 as Miss Annie heard the dreadful
news of her lovers rejection she at
tackled her guardian with every species
VI anu dDuSC SIG EOu10 LII
vent, and was only pacifed by the
threat that he would discloye her identi-
ty. Failing to make an impression up
on him she resorted to Clara, whom she
pestered 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. l should be delighted to see you
the Countess of Splitzentoff. Uncle
takes such violent dislikes, you know.
If were you should elope; he will be
sure to come round afterward."
'.My dear Clara, what magnificent
idea!' cried Annie, embracing her effus-
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 Dexters, uncle and niece, pro-
fessed to take no notice of the affair.
The st. Leger week came on, and the
hotels were crowded to sufiocation. The
night before the great race there was
ball at the Regalia of unusual splendor.
81 suppose you are going tonight,
Annie?" inquired Clara.
eyes, with Mrs. Mungo; and have
a great favor to ask-perhaps it may
be the last" said the young lady, de-
murely.
'What is itp''
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 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 re-
sponsive 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.
Il beg your pardon, sare," said some
one with strong foreign accent, ''but
hat | re pleasure to address Mr.. Dex-
terP''
That's soV' said Dexter, turning
round.
Two men stood before him, one tall
and somewhat distinguished looking,
the other shorter, with a sharp, Ratchet
face and business-like appearance.
Dexter fancied that he had seen the tall
man before. Oddly enough, he was
singularly like Count Splitzentoff, but
his whiskers were nearly white, and his
face was wrinkled and worn, as if from
a recent illness. Moreover,zzh might
have been at least thirty years older
than the Count, but still there was a
likeness.
"You are Mr. Dexter" he continued.
with much volubility and many gesticu-
lations; ''then you know a miserable
who calls himself the Count Splitzen-
tof, and reside at the Hotel Regalia?
We're is he-can you tell me?n
" Hanged if I know" said Dexter.
feeling somewhat uneasy.
" Is he not hereP" cried the stranger,
excitedly.
mo; ] don't think he came. Ill,
or something"
Hang the fellowr' interposed the
short man. He's given us the Slip"
This, sare, is to you mystery"
said the other, trembling with rage. Il
am re Count Splitzentoff; that sacre
brigand is my valet, Jules lie Guillon.
Look, you, sare, he is voleur-what
you call pique-pocket. / am at Naples;
| catch re accursed cholera; LIE Gull
lon, he pack me to a hospital; grow
worse; he leaves me to die; he 60 to
my hotel; he steal my luggage, my
money, my papers everything; he 90
off know not where. But I recover;
| get on his traces, wis re aid Of nv
good friend Monsieur Ferrett, of Scot
land yard. At last have catch him
is not SOP"
Dexter was not easily surprised; but
he started at the Infatuated stranger
with amazement
1.-The dickensr' he calculated.
Perfectly correct; sir,' said Mr..
FerTett. But we are wasting time.
Where is the gentleman?"
g At Scarborough, believe"
"By Jove! l trust he mayn't have
got clear off! If I had only wired to
the police! But I wanted to collar him
myself"
Dexter promptly found his niece, and
the whole party returned to Scarbor-
ough as fast as a special train could
carry them. The journey was by no
means pleasant one. The real Count
was frantic at the thought of losing his
prey, Ferret was silent and snlky,
while Dexter was seriously uneasy
about Annie
81 never meant to let her in for any
thing like this, "-he whispered to Clara,
who was crying quietly in corner.
| ''Where. is Count SplitzentoffP"
shouted the party in chorus, when they
l.xn.~ II 4