Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-07-26

opened e sort OF OOardlng-nOuSe IN
Paris. Here she had been living for
about two years when young In
glishman named Edwin Marston came
to stop at her establishment for few
days. Up to the present l have not
said any thing about the character or
appearance of the Countess Cheraski,
because, so far, have merely been re-
citing number of facts which are
necessary to enable the reader to
understand the curious tale that
we are approaching. That she
was either pretty, or handsome,
or beautiful, in some sense or
other, the reader will probably antici-
pate from the fact of the Count having
fallen in love with her. If l mention
that she was tall, with dark hair and
aquilinc features. all who are inter-
ested in the matter can fill up the rest
of her portrait to suit their own tastes.
In character she must have been of a
rather trustfm disposition, as will,
think, appear from her conduct to Mr..
Marston. He was her senior by about
two years, and had been practicing as
a surgeon and physician for some time
in very poor district in the east end
of London. When he first came to her
home he did not intend to remain many
days in Paris, but his stay was pro-
lOnged for one reason or another over
space of about three weeks, during
which time he and the Countess had
contracted very sincere friendship
for each other. Finally, on the night
before he left, she told him her story,
| and asked him if he could see any way
in which she could establish the rights
of herself and children.
mot at present." said Mr.. Marston,
when he had listened attentively to her
story; "but l shall think the matter
over. One sometimes, after reflection,
gets ideas that would never come from
mere ratiocination, though it is ratio
cination which afterward makes them
practical-ideas that seem at first to
have no bearing on the subject of
thought, while in reality they contain
its full explanation. l am not very
hopeful of being able to give you any
advice that would be of use to you in
this case; but shall try, if possible.
to think of something that may guide
YOU"
The next day Mr.. Marston left for
London, having babe the Countess a
cordial farewell, and promised to write
to her at once if any idea should occur
to him with regard to the recovery of
her title and estates.
More than a month passed away,
during which she did not hear from
him, and. consequently, was beginning
to think that he had probably forgot
ten all about her, or he would have
written, when one evening the servant
came up stairs to say that Mr.. Marston
was in the parlor on the ground floor,
and would like to see her.
Il have been thinking ever since
left yOu," he said, when they had
greeted each other, ''of the extraor-
binary history you told me. And l
think now that l sec my way to over.
come your difficulties. But you will
have to exercise great patience. 1t will
take me probably year, perhaps
more. to carry out my plans. shall
have to go to Russia and live in the
village of Narovel, and l shall want at
least f4OO at once, and probably
another f4OO in the course of about
six months. In the meantime you
must be content not to ask me any
questions, and to remain in perfect ig-
norance of what am doing. My word
is The only guarantee you can have
that l shall be honestly doing my best
on your behalf"
ut is sufficient" said the Countess.
'You shall have the money. When
can you start?'
Tomorrow" was the answer.
Accordingly next day Mr.. Marston
started for Narovel, which is a viii
lage in the province of Minsk, in
Western Russia. Here he took up his
abode in the guise of well-to-do En-
glishman. who wished to make himself
acquainted with the language and in
situations of the country and who had
no objection to spending his money
freely. He was a good shot, was fond
of riding, and, apart altogether from
the necessity of acting part which
was involved by the business he had on
hand, he was a really jovial and pleas
ant companion. The consequence was
that he soon became favorite with
every body in the district. The men
liked him because he was a capital
sportsman and could take his bottle
with the best of them; the women, be-
cause he was a good-looking foreigner
who was always paying them such
compliments as circumstances permit
ted and who was very fond of children.
Among others with whom he shortly
became very intimately acquainted was
the new priest. a young man named
Nicholas Kohl. Koel acted, as priests
very often do in Russia. the mart both of