The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-08-21
KOLLER'S VICTORY.
A Genuine Love Affair at a Water
ing Place.

Scuuinc iONc ;tllitIT OcCurTeu dC u WaucT-
place that the one between Roller and
the French governcss was regarded as n
succession of phenomena. The Bran
don was the latest type of aesthetic sum-
1ner hotel-a large Queen Anne man.
sion, surrounded with cottages equally
Queen Anne, high in altitude as in
tariff, as the Anglo-Saxons say. The
cottages were the resort of those favor
ties of fortune who. wearying of New
port and LenoX, sought place where
they could have fortnight's rest from
the business of pleasure. The style of
dress was severely plain among the
women, and the men affected Norfolk
jackets and shooting coats. These Pc
culiarities were unknown to the Burt
Robinsons when they took the most ex-
pensivc cottage for the season. They
only knew it was very high priced and
very exclusive. The time came during
the soiourn when they blushed for the
numberlcss gorgeous toilets displayed
by Lillian Burt-Robinson, and for Mrs.
Burt-Robinson' diamonds as large as
peas, which she wore every evening.
The Burt-Robinsons had been evolved
thus: First, there was Josiah b. Robin
son, hardware merchant and dealer in
agricultural implements, then fine
house on Fifty-eight street, and cards
engraved "Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Burt
Robinson;" next box at the opera,
noticed in the society papers as that of
the Burt-Robinsons; and at last simply
the Burt-Robinsons, as people say the
Howard de Redclyffes.
They had not, however, got quite up
to the level of the Howard de Redclyffes,
or they would not have been found at
the Brandon House, with Lillian the
daughter, and Clarence the son, and lit
tie Gwendolen the baby, with her French
governess, Miss Lefevre, as they all
voted it poky. and only came because of
the acquaintance to be made. Miss
Lillian had thought to do great things
with her pretty blond hair blowzed over
her blue eyes and her innumerable fluffy
white toilets. She had suggested bring
ing the governess along, thinking in the
depths of her heart that Miss Lefevre's s
dark skin and trim black dresses would
make good foil for her own bright
beauty. The governess was certainly
very dark and had no clothes to speak
of; but she had eyes as black rs sloes,
and the way she wore her simple gowns
was truly Partisan.
There was one thing Lillian did un-
derstand, and that was music. The
Brandon did not indulge in any thing
so commonplace as regular orchestra,
but it had couple of young Germans,
one of whom played on the piano and
the other on the cornet, while Roller
was the violinist, who rendered
Wagner, Schumann and Raft most artis-
ticaIly in the great dim drawing-room
every morning and evening. Lillian,
although given to affectation, could
truly say that she ''adored' to hear
them play; but there was mystery
about Roller which attracted her. True,
he was only the violinist at summer
hotel, but there was n delicious aroma
OF "family" floating around him.
Somebody said he was count, or had
been count, or was going to lie II count
and one morning, as the Burt-Robnsons
sat listening to the last strains of Il con.
certo, Mr.. Prescott Fairbanks, the most
fashionable acquaintance they had in
the world, came up to speak to them,
and seeing Roller, started visibly. Then
he went up to him and said, holding out
his hand "Why, Count-excuse me, but
surely am not tmistaken-I knew Count
Maurice Koller so well'
Roller colored up to the roots of his
curly yellow hair, and awkwardly &C
cepted Mr.. Prescott Fairbanks out
stretched hand. Eyes, am Roller, bu
in somewhat hard circumstances.
would prefer my family did not know
Then he stopped short. 1t was equal
ly embarrassing to Mr.. Prescott Fair
banks. Don't let me interrupt you, >
he said, hurriedly, waving his hand as
il Roller were playing for his owr
amusement. presently we'll have {
talk"
Roller went back somewhat tremu
lous and excited to his everlasting con
certos and nocturnes. Miss Lillian seizet
Mr.. Fairbanks. "Do tell me all abou
him, and what brought him here" sht
whispered, as he bent down.
''Can't, my dear young lady. Never
was more surprised in my life. Las
time saw him was at his fathers pal
ace in Munich. Most embarrassing rem
contre"
That was all, but that was enough
Mr.. Fairbanks presently escaped from
the ladies; was seen no more until somt
one caught him coming out of the cot
tage where the musician lodged, anG
left ON the night train. Nobody else
but the Burt-Robinsons had witnessed
the Fairbanks episode, and they tacitly
agreed to keep 1t to themselves. Bu1
to Lillian a glorious vista opened up