The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-04-12

"She IS my aunt, - very promptly.
The counts eyes flashed The look OF
eagerness in them became intensified He
seemed to lose control of himself. ''She is
very rich, is she not!'' He was trembling
with excitement.
"Yes, extremely comfortable, as far as
the material wealth of the world Is con-
cerned,'' said Mr.. Amer.ing, smiling. 1--WE
i've very nicely, indeed
"You live.' exclaimed the count in agita-
ton.
YES" said Dudley. ''She and live to
gether. l have no parents; lost them years
ago''
The count closed his eyes. He was evi-
deEtly in deep meditation. His breath came
in gasps. He tried hard to control himself,
but without much success. Mr.. Amerling,
however, who was decidedly obtuse, noticed
nothing of this agitation. The count opened
his eyes in few seconds, and looked at Mr..
Amerling. He was apparently waiting for
something.
1--WE should like to see you, countw (Ah!
that was what the man with the diamonds
was waiting for. He heaved a sigh OF salts
faction) My aunt is at home great deal,
and laughing, '.she is extremely fond of
Foreigners
''Ah! the kind Nile. Amerling."
''You viii comeE'
80, how kind of you. monsieur
you'll surely Gomez
''Surely, surely. Good night.'
''Good night" They separated. Dudley
Amerling walked briskly home, filled with
satisfaction at his discovery. The count
chuclzled and rubbed his hands softly to-
gether. Anas:asia Amerling, the rich
maiden lady, only waiting to meet him. Al,
g1telle chance!
Miss Anastasia Amerling had never been
noted for her beauty, and certainly at this
particular period in her life was far from
attractive. She had not given up all hopes
of matrimony. She still had an eye to busi-
ness.
Bring the Count to see me, by all means,
Dudley" she said to her nephew when that
young man had related his experiences at
the Windsor Hotel.
1t was proud moment in Miss Amerling's S
life when, few evenings after the events
narrated above, lie Comte de la Mauviere''
appeared in delicate script on dainty card
that Miss Amerling held in her hand. The
man with the diamonds was shown into the
drawing room where Miss Amerling sat in
state with her nephew. The Counts attire
was faultless as usual. His diamonds, Dud-
ley remarked, were entirely different to
those he wore previously, but their value
was, if any thing, greater, and their beauty
undeniable.
All &c cher conate," exclaimed the delighted
Anastasia, breaking into French and sim
pering coquettishly. ''COnamoRg yo,ts- portray
ZOO! Voo pGrly Oagly?' This was, in real
hn Of rr,e
conversational French, and she always made
the most of it,
''Ujl petit peu ,nademoiselle,'' replied the
man with the diamonds, bowling low. 81
see," with very strong accent, ''that you
spik my natif language vairy well. All! !
mademoiselle has been in France She spiks
like French woman. Are you, indeed, not
French!"
The artless Anastasia was enchanted. She
cast look of intense approval at the lucky
count. Dudley Amerling bit his lip, and
tried to control his laughter. The foreigner
had evidently remembered his advice
Il have been in Paris very often" said
Anastasia, land, of course, picked up the
language But" shaking her head in a ju-
venile manner, Il am afraid don't speak as
well as l might, Count. l have a sad
memory"
The man with the diamonds was undoubt-
edly anxious to find grace in the eyes of the
fair Anastasia, and no better beginning could
have been made.
Count said Anastasia, ''you know that
am at home every Tuesday afternoon, and
though with a simper) Il don't always
allow gentlemen to come to my receptions,
you may come. Can l expect you Tuesday
afternoon! There will be number of ladies
here, tres gentilieS, l assure you. VoELy-yoAs
Oeueer, nlOSsieu?''
The man with the diamonds seemed to be
taken aback. Dudley Amerling- that artless
young man about toWn-thought the dis
tinguished foreigner might not care to be
the only man present. Il shall be there,
count" said Dudley. 'Do come. Aunt and
respect your modesty, but please Gomez
''I-I-doh't think l sh-shall be able to-"
the man with the diamonds Il
go out in the afternoons
''Mal1e this an exception, count" per-
sisted the fair AnastaSia. Gentlemen of
leisure can afford TO make concessions to
ladies'
But the count was really unable to come.
he said. How much he should like to be
able to do so, Mademoiselle Amerling would
never know. He felt ne was so lucky to
have found such charmingly congenial
friends. All! it was indeed blessing.
81 congratulate you on your acquaintance.
Dudley" said Aunt Anastasia, after the
count had taken his departure. He really
is an extremely agreeable man. So conamgfo,
If You understand, and SO wonderful Stangy
There are no people on the face of the earth
so delightful to me as the French, Dudley.
Did you hear what the ridiculous man said
about my French accent! He thought was
a French woman. Well, Dudley, tell him to
come as often as he likes. l am sure we
need new blood in our set.''
The man with the diamonds apparently
found Miss Anastasia Amerling equally
worth cultivating. He came frequently,
always in the evening, and the names of the
couple were linked together very often.
One evening, Miss Amerling was in a
most kittenish mood, and the count was
radiant.
''Next time you come" she said, s.you
will see me in magnificent dress, which has
been suggested to me, aud shall buy it, be-
cause know you will like it. 700 Com
Dreag, count! 1 am going to take day off
and do my own shopping for once"
DO your own shoppingr' You would
have thought Miss Amerling had declared
that she intended committing suicide from
the terror-stricken tones in which the man
with the diamonds spoke "Do your own
shopping, Mademoiselle Anastasias / thought
your maid always did it for you.n The
count was so excited that his accent had dis
but people do strange things when
unduly aroused.
"Who told you that!' asked Miss Amer
ling, rather sharply.
"W-w-well, I-I-thought sou he stam-
mered.
Miss Amerling looked at the man with the
diamonds rather severely. 1T is true" she
said, ''that for several years I have allowed