The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-08-21

''There 1t is, !" said Jeanne, sullcnly; |
and as Roller stopped to pick IL up, she
snatched il from the ground, and in an
instant her strong white fingers had
broken It into dozen pieces.
Kollcr caught her wrists. "What are
you doing thot forp" he cried.
''Beca,ise," said Jeanne, coolly. ''it |
belongs to her, and because you came
to look for It. See." She took the
shrcds and splinters in her hand, and |
threw them with no ignoble skill into
the pond, fifty yards away,
Roller stared ut her blankly. Was It |
possible that rosebud Lillian ill-treated
this DEPENDENT His heart swclled
within him. MS a mans heart is apt to
swell ut tho idea of injustice TO any
thing young and pretty of the other sex.
..Docs she treat you illp" he asked.
Jeanne looked Mt him with fine scorn.
'.Do you not think" she asked, in her
pretty French-Englsh, ''that could
take care of myself from that-that lit
tie thingp But tell you what, mon
sieur," she continucdas us Roller remained
silent, "you need to take care of your-
SELF She knows you are Count. Bah!
these Americnns!'
Roller bit his lip and looked annoyed,
but Mt last burst out laughing, and then
sighed II German sigh. "Mademoiselle,
said he, ''do not deprive me of my only
friend. This Miss Lillian Burt-Robinson
is kind to me when you are not. She
feels sympathy for me, stranger and
an exile; you do not"
Jeanne, being desperately in love
with Roller by this time, could make
bus one answer to these reproaches,
which was to burst into violent weep
ing Koller remained calm. He knew
something about women, and was not
inordinately disturbed by their senti-
mental tears. He attempted respect
fully, after the Continental fashion, to
take her hand, but Jeanne rudely re-
pulsed him, and rushed past, saying,
between her sobs: Eyes. yes, you are
the lover OF that little thing Take her
and be happy. Forget all about Jeanne
Lefevre. l am rightly served. The
Germans have done harm to me and
mine from the first. Iwish could hate
you as ought, and-and-"
Roller saw her slim black figure dart
ing ahead of him in the gloom. AS he
walked slowly back, pulling his blonde
mustache, he concluded that he really
loved this little French girl, and the
only thing for him TO do was to marry
her and take her back to Munich. In
the Joy of the prodigal's return, his
parents would probably forgive him,
and he would be free from the persccu-
tions he endured in regard to falling in
love with certain Baroness Won Kafel-
stein, who had eyes like the bottom of a
pewter plate, and weighed twice as
much as he did. IT is easy to convince
ones self of the wisdom of what one
strongly desires; so Kollcr's mind was
pretty well made up before he reached
the Burt-Rob,nson cottage.
Lillian was waiting for him in dark
corner of the porch. 'Well, where is
my FAM"
Rollers heart gave jump. He had
forgotten all about the fan. "I-I as
sure you, mademoiselle, l searched
and-rm sure it is not in the path" he
added, with sudden boldness, for it was
surely at the bottom OF the pond.
"You probably met the governess, !"
sa d Lillian, with sarcasm in her smooth
voice.
81 did," replied Roller, lamely.
"Ah!"
She reflected. 1t was now or never
Roller, in his supposed position, would
never dare to make the first advances to
her; that had been fully decided. Count
ess Maurice Koller-well, it was worth
the stake, and she had read in several
novels where the heroine had very sue
ccssfully proposed to the hero, and had
been accepted. She rapidly ran over in
her mind the general form of the pro-
position.
"Koller," she said, dramatically, "you
are poor-unknown-aw wandering min-
strel-
81 beg your pardon, mademoiselle,
have regular contract with the pro-
prietor of the Brandon House Cor four
months, beginning last June"
'That is nothing" said Lillian, vexed
to have her cxordium so disturbed.
''But do you not see how it isP Do you
not feel for mep''
To have two women throw themselves
at his head the same afternoon was more
than even German stolidity could stand.
Roller seized his hat and retreated to-
ward the steps.
"Mademoiselle," he said earnestly,
~ assure you feel for you. To lose an
ornament like your fan, cherished for q
thousand tender associations, the gift,
perhaps of favored lover-a-ahp-
good evening, mademoiselle," and he
was gone.
Lillian stood, angry and irresolute.
Just then she saw the lamps lighted in
the little drawing-room, and Jeanne
enter, with Gwcndolen tagging after her
rs usual. 1t suddenly occurred TO her
that nerhnns IL wOuld he ne we'll to send
the French governess home. She
stepped in through the open window.
"Ive been thinking" she said, ami
ably, to Jeanne, ''that you must find il
rather stupid up here, and perhaps you'd
like to pay visit to your friends for 3
few weeks. I'm sure mamma will agree
to it,
"But I have no friends nearer than
France" replied Jeanne, doggedly
sitting down and disentangling won,
derful piece of crocheting belonging to
Gwendolen.
"Then you can go down to the house
in Fifty-eighth street."
"But why do you wish to get rid o.
me, mademoisellep DO interfere witt
your plans in any wayp"
1t will be seen that the two young
ladies were rapidly drifting INTO quar-
rel. Opportunely Mrs. Burt-Robinsor
entered.
"You up at this time, Gwendoleni
It's q quarter of an hour past YOU
bedtime. Miss Lefevre, you should no
allow Gwendolon to sit up until nearl,
eight o'clock"
Jeanne marched Gwendolen off t.