Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-01
Countess uarOla.
By wII1KIE COLLINS.

By WILKIE COLLINS.
 In every class of society gratitude is the rarest of all human virtues. In the nurses class it is especially rare. Her opinion of the man who had deceived and deserted her mis- tress remained the same opinion still, per stance of the legacy.
 "I wonder who reminded my lord of the old servants?" she said. "He would never have had heart enough to remember them him. self"
 Agnes suddenly interposed. Nature, all ways abholring monotony, institutes re- serves of temper as clements in the compost ton of the gentlest woman living. Even Agnes could, on rare occasions, be angry. The nurses view of Montbarry's character seemed to have provoked her beyond endu- rance.
 "If you have any sense Of shame in you," she broke out, "you ought Co be ashamed of what you have just said! Your ingratitude disgusts me. I leave you to speak with her. Henry-you won't mind its" With this in- significant intimation that he too had dropped out of his customary place in her good opin- ion, she left the room.
 The nucs, received the smart reproof ad- ministere,. to her with every appearance of feeling rather amused at it than not When the door had closed, this female philosopher winked at Henry.
 ''There's power of obstinacy in young women," she remarked. Miss Agnes wouldn't give my lord up as bad one, even when he tilted her. And now she's sweet on him after he's dead. Say a word against him and she fires up, as you see. All obstinacyI It will wear out with time. Stick to her, Master Henry-stick to her!"
 "She doesn't seem to have offended you," said Henry
 "SheY the nurse repeated, in amazement- "she offend me? I like her in her tantrums; it reminds me of her when she was a baby. Lord bless you! when I go to bid her good night, she'll give me a big kiss, poor dear and say, Nurse, I didn't mean itr About this money, Master Henry? If I was younger, should spend it in dress and jewelry. But Pm too old for that. What shall do with my legacy when 1 have got it?"
 Put it out at interest,"" Henry suggested "Get so much year for it, you know"
 ''How much shall get?" the nurse asked.
 ''If you put your 5e1O0 into the funds, you will get between e3 and e4 a year."
 The nurse shook her head. "Three or four pounds year? That won't do! I want more than that. Look here, Master Henry, don't care about this bit of money-L never did like the man who has left it to me, though he was your brother. If lost it all tomorrow l shouldn't break my heart; Pm we'll enough off, as it is, for the rest of my days. They say you're a speculator. Put me in for a good thing, there's dear! Neck -or-nothing and that for the funds!" She snapped her fingers to express her contempt for security of investment at per cent
 Henry produced the prospectus of the Ve- netian Hotel company. "You're funny old wotran," he said. "There, you dashing spec ulator-there is neck or-nothing for youl You must keep it secret from Miss Agnes, mind. I'm not at all sure that she would ap- prove of my helping you to this investment"
 The nurse took out her spectacles " Six per cent. guaranteed,' she read, and the di- rectors have every reason to believe that 10 per cent. or more will be ultimately realized to the shareholders by the hotel.' Put me into that, Master Henry! And, wherever you go, for Heavens sake recommend the hotel to your friends!'
 So the nurse, following Henry's mercenary example, had her pecuniary interest, too, in the house ill which Lord Montbarry had died.
 Three days passed before Henry was able to visit Agnes again. In that time the little cloud between them had entirely passed away. Agnes received him with even more than her customary kindness. She was in better spirits than usual. Her letter to Mrs. Stephen Vest wick had been answered by return of post, and her proposal had been joyfully accepted, with one modification. She was to visit the WeStwickS for a mOnth-and, if she really liked teaching the children, she was then to be governess, aunt and cousin, all in one and was only to go away in an event which her friends ill Ireland persisted in contemplat- ing, the event of her marriage.
 "You see I was right" she said to Henry.
 He was still incredulous "Are you really gongs" he asked
 "I am going next week."
 "When shall I see you again2"
 "You know you are always welcome at your brothers house. You can see me when you like.' She held out her hand "Pardon me for leaving you-I am beginning to pack up already"
 Henry tried to kiss her at parting She drew back directly.
 "Why not? l am your cousin," he said.
 "I don't like it," she answered.
 Henry looked at her and submitted Her refusal to grant him his privilege as a cousin good sign-it was indirectly an act of encouragement to him in the character of her lover.
 On the first day in the week Agnes left London on her way to Ireland. As the event proved, this was not destined to be the end of her journey. The way to Ireland was only the first stage on her way to the palace at Venice.