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

4
Of rooms, how useful you areD The man
with the diamonds could not, however, re
cover his equanimity; something had oc
CURED to disturb him; of that Miss Amer
ling was certain. What it was, however
| she did not even suspect. He rose to take
his leave very shortly. There was a aues
tion trembling on his lips, but he held il
back until the last moment, very much in
that spirit which prompts woman to put
her most important request in the postscript
| Of her letter.
| when do -y-you buy yours, furs
mademoisellel" he asked.
Anastasia glanced at him coyly. 'You dC
not forget my furs," she said archly. ''I'C
tell you, II knew, count, butt don't"
| "W-w-where do you buy them!'
| Miss Amerling again felt resentment a.
the question. 1t was not asked in an off
hand manner, as the dear count certainly
intended it should have been. There was
real anxiety for an answer in it.
"Where did you buy your fur coat
| count!' she asked, rather impudently
The man with the diamonds positively
jumped. 1t was not start, it was a jump
he gave. His face was ivid: he gasped fol
breath. Hastily wringing Miss Amerling's
| hand, he bade her goodnight.
What did it mean! Miss Amerling asked
| herself
Miss Amerling's forebodings disappeared
with the clear sunshine of the following
| morning. After all, she reflected, the Comte
| de La Mauviere ought to be permitted the
| luxury of a few peculiaritieS. He was Ger
talnly charming man; he was undeniably
under her influence, and-well, there is no
use mincing matters-Miss Amerling sud
denly remembered that she was getting on
| in years" Besides, she had gone rather
| too far to retract. Hippolyte-yes, that was
his nom de bdptenae- knew that she
was not averse to him-as they say in the
love stories. Ahl she was too ingenious to
be able to conceal her sentiments on any
subject.
With what fervor and loving enthusiasm
had he thanked her, when, after listening to
his statement that money had not been forth
coming from France, she had handed him
$500. What ridiculous man he was to be
so grateful for the loan of a few dollars
All ! it was because he loved her. Could she
doubt it! No, indeed
In a short time Miss Amerling's brougham
was at the door, and the lady herself ready
for the shopping expedition. In the crowded
part of Broadway, she could not help look
ing to see if by chance she might espy the
connt. She was not rewarded by the sight
of that blue-blooded gentleman, however,
and somehow-why she could not tell-she
felt vexed, and sighed as she reached Web
ster, Underhill & Nickerson's establishment,
that colossal store where every thing could
be bought, from diamond to an elephant.
ITO the fur department" said Miss Amer
ling to the polite shop walker, who, with
tender sOlicitude, had watched her alight
from her brougham.
1t was quite long walk through the end
less avenues of the big establishment to the
fur department. Miss Amerling was out of
breath when she at last reached it. She sank
in a cushioned arm chair.
II will send Mr. Jones to you. He is an
artist in fur, l assure you, madam" said the
shop walker.
''It's well he's an artist in something, with
such disgustingly plebeian name, ~ thought
Miss Amerling.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes
passed. Miss Amerling was thoroughly
rested. All! she heard footsteps. The
artistic Jones was arriving; the footsteps
came nearer. She rose and advanced toward
young man. He was in front of her now
She looked carelessly at him. Suddenly,
she paled, her eyes dilated. her mouth
opened, and, with piercing shrek, she fell
to the ground in swoon.
Instantly all was commotion in Webster
Underhill & Nickerson's establishment The
three members of the firm, who knew Miss
Amerling as an excellent customer, were
greatly concerned. Mr.. Jones, however
who, with his book and pencil in hand, and
weil-worn business suit on his back, looked
really too ordinary person to have been
the cause of Miss Amerling's sudden indis-
position, seemed anxious to leave the scene; !;
while every ones attention was attracted to
the fainting lady, he slipped away.
Miss Amerling soon recovered. She cast
one glance at the place where Jones had
stood and burst into tears. 80, Mr.. Web
ST - she sobbed, stake me to my carriage
1 all die, shall die. o, 1 have been de-
C we'd, duped, victimized-O, l dare not
t..;nk of it. Oh! oh! Oh! ohp'
She was rapidly becoming hysterical.
"a word with you, Mr. Webster" she man
aged to say. The polite partner was imme-
diately in an attitude of attention.
'1s-is that y-y-young m-m-man's
n-n-name really JO-Jones?" she asked
in almost unintelligible tones.
1T is, Miss Amerling. He has been with
US for six months.''
''He- he he-is a v-v-villain," she
sobbed mo d-d-don't ask me why. He
is av-v-villain, and y-y-yeteven n-now
l can hardly understand it all o, take me
to my carriage quickly. Oh! OH what shall
l do: How shall 1 face Dudley! o, my
poor heart! o, Mr.. Webster I'm wretched.
No, won't cry. 1 won't. Why should 1!
l haven't done any thing wrong. Oh! oh!
on! Good morning Mr.. Webster Oh! oh.''
And she was gone. Mr.. Webster was not
surprised. In an instant he had put two
and two together. Astute man that he was.
Miss Amerling's emotion and the cause Of it
were as clear as pikestaff to him.
Dudley Amerling was visiting some
friends in Boston, when the following story
in one of the New York papers, which he
had just received, caught his eye:
This personal in morning paper attracted
considerable attention: 'All who have had
business with person calling himself Comte
de la Mauviere, beware. He is an imposter.
Webster, Underhil 81 Nickerson" A re-
porter called at the establishment conducted
by this firm, and Mr.. Webster had strange
story to tell.
''For some time past" said Mr. Webster
81 havr been working nights, as we were
stock: ling. A curious thing happened.
One 1T missed handsome fur overcoat
from : e fur department. and diamond
studs cings and sleeve links from the
jewe y department. / went to my home
much annoyed. The goods were very valu-
able. When returned to the store in the
morning, you may judge how surprised 1
was when / saw the overcoat and the
jewelry in their places. really supposed
must have been suffering from some sort of
delusion. The following night, however
missed another fur coat, and other jewelry,