The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-24

W Jake CtTt Vi IlpTScll, anu YOU VIII
make her a decent allowance"
So Mr.. Dexter went to meet the
Count, having made up his mind to
put his nieco's plan into operation. The
interview was brief. The Count avow
ed his devotion to Miss Annie Dexter,
and formally asked for her hand. Dex
ter, whose repugnance to the fascinat-
ing foreigner rather increased than di.
minshed, point blank refused to en-.
tertain the proposal. The Count wax
cd eloquent and expostulatory en-
larged upon the splendor of his fam
lily and the extent of his possessions ;
went even so far as to produce num-
Der of papers which established his
identity beyond all reasonable doubt,
and invited Mr.. Dexter to come into
his private room and inspect quaint
ty of foreign orders and patents of
nobility. But the American was OBJ
durate, and, seeing that all his plead
ing was in vain, the Count went off in
a terrible rage.
The next few days were somewhat
trying, both for uncle and niece. As
soon as Miss Ample heard of the dread
full news of her lovers rejection she
attacked her guardian with every
species of argument and abuse she
could invent, and was only pacifed by
the threat that he would disclose her
identity. Failing to make an impress
sion upon him she resorted to Clara,
whom she pestered for her good Off
ces, and reproached bitterly for having
married her prospects in liie
"My dear Annie protested Clara,
81 assure you it has uothingto do with
me- l should be delighted to see you
the Countess OF Splitzentoff Uncle
takes such Nviolent 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 eff
fusiyely.
As the days passed the love-lorn
young lady's temper improved mater
tally; 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 suffocation.
The night before the great race there
was ball at the Regalia ST unusual
splendor
81 suppose YOU are going tonight,
Annie7" inquired Clara
eyes, with Mrs Mungo; and have
great favor 10 ask-perhaps it may
be the last" said that young lady de
murely
"What is it,"
81 want you to lend me your dia
monds; l am so ANXIOUS to look wei
tonight"
"Oh, yes, you may have them" an
swered Clara, smilingly. "Dont
forget to leave them behind, thought"
So Miss Annie went to the ball ar
rayed in Miss Dexter's jewels, anC
naturally enjoyed herself immense
ly.
The next day nearly every one il
the hotel went off to Doncaster. Tn,
Scarborough air had done Clara 81
much good that she determined to &C
company her uncle. Annie, however
pleaded fatigue and bad headache
and Dexter did not press her to GO
Just before starting Clara entered he
uncles room.
"Lend me f2OO,' she said laugh
ing.
"What for?" he asked, with respon
sive grin.
"Now you know you are not to asl
questions, but to do as you are told"
Arriving on the course, Dexter dis
posed of his niece, and began strolin
about the ring. Presently he felt
touch on his sleeve.
Il beg your pardon, sore,' said som
one with a strong foreign accent, "bu
haf l re pleasure to address Mr.. DeA
u ter p
"That's so!n said Dexter, turnin
round.
Two men stood before him, one ia
and somewhat distinguished -looSin!
, the other shorter, with sharp, hatcht
face and business-like appearance
Dexter fancied he had seen the ia
man before Oddly enough, he We
singularly like Count Splitzentoff, BIT
his whiskers were nearly white, an
his face was wrinkled and worn, as
from recent illness. Moreover, |
might have been at least thirty yeal
, older than the Count but still thel
was likeness.
, "You are Mr.. Dexter" he continues
: with much volubility and manly gest
, culations "than you know a miserab
who call himself the Count Splitze
toff, and reside at the Hotel Regalia
We're is he--can you tell me?'
r "Hanged is l know" said Dexte
3 feeling somewhat uneasy.
Q 'Is he not here?" cried the strang
: excitedly.
"No; don't think he came. I'll,
t something"
/. "Hapg the fellow !" interposed Il
b short man. "He's given us the slip
$ "This, sare, is to you mystery
:. said the other, trembling with rage.
am re Count Splitzentoff that sac
brigand is my valet, Jules lie Guillo
q Look, you, sare, he is voleur-wh
I" you call a pique pocket. | am at N
Piles catch re accursed cholera
u Guillon he pack me to hospital +;
o grow worse he leave me to die
!. 60 to my hotel he steal my luggag
my money, my papers-everythinl
- he go off | know not where. But
cover; l get on his traces, wis re a
10 of my good friend Monsieur Ferret,
Il Scotland Yard, AT last l catch him
~ is it not so?'
Dexter was not surprised, but
/. started at the infurated stranger wi
3 amazement
n "The devil he calculated
III perfectly correct, sir, said Mr.. f
rett. "But we are wasting time. Wh'
,e is the gentleman"
Z SAT Scarborough, l believe"
" "By Jove! trust he mayn't have {
clear off! If had only wired to /
l. police! But wanted to collar him n
SELF