Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-20

it was, few words were whispered, and
then maid came saying:
'The Count begs to know whether the
Countess will have the kindness to receive
him.
LET him be 10 kind as to wait a few min
utes." replied Jana; ''how late is it?"
"Half past 5p'
"Quick! Dress me as quickly as you
can, for 1t is latel' she exclaimed, rising at
once
1t was not ten minutes later when the
young wife sent her maids away and let
her husband know that she was waiting for
him.
! She was just buttoning the last button
of her long gloves when Vladimir entered; /;
his featares spoke of great impatience, but
when he beheld the magnificent figure of
his wife, as she smiled upon him, he quickly
drew her to his heart. Jana slightly held
him back.
"Be careful, vladimir You spoil my
dress!'
He drew back, surprised.
You do not love me any more, do you?"
he whispered. She laughed aloud.
"You men make strange demands upon
US! You doubt our love if we do not spend
the whole day in assuring and swearing that
we love you'll My dear Vladimir, I love you
as much as ever; perhaps even more than
before, but we need not ruffie and crumple
my beautiful dress on that account"
He fell into meditation.
"We were so happy with each other in the
Crimea! There the world did not part us.
There were no soirees, no beautiful dresses,
we lived Tor and in each other"
my dear Vladimir" she said, resting on
his arm, don't trouble yourself, and be-
lieve me that love you with all my heart!
No one was happier than I was when we
were alone. But here, in Petersburg, 1
have to consider my father, my old friends
and kinsfolk. Let me enjoy the world
little longer-and then we'll be so happy
again in our solitude"
"AhI that worldp' he repeated sadly,
''where l cannot accompany you. During
these five weeks 1 doubt if have seen you
three hours daily. If you are not dressing
you are resting or you are undressing. Din
ners, balls, parties, promenades, and if we
come together by chance l have to behave
as if hardly knew you. If you receive at
home 1 must stay away. Believe me- Jana,
a man who wants to live in society ought
not to love his wife. If he does, it is all
pain and sorrow."
Jana laughed again.
"You are Incompatible, vladimir, and as
q reward YOU shall have sweet kiss. But
mind my dress"
She kissed him and exclaimed, rising:
"And now 1 must tell you nv lord and
master how mean to spend the day. Din
ner with Sophie and Countess Hahn at
Rita's; next to the Princess Olga, where an
important affair is to be discussed, of which
you shall hear something if you behave
we'll. At II I'll come home and then we'll
take tea together. How do you like my
plan?"
81 cannot tell you how much, my angel.
But let me make one little remark. This
Rita, of whom you are always speaking, is
not suitable companion for a woman of
your age and in your position; and besides,
who knows if her name is not unstained?'
jana bit her lips.
"Icannot bear evil tongues, dearest, What
can they say against Rita?"
perhaps nothing more than that her
name is Cd eVeryboGy's tongue. This
French woman has turned everything topsy-
turvy in society. Her dress, her carriages,
her liveries all excite attention. Her whole
manner is marked with an irrepressible de-
sire to be Independent. She has succeeded
in charming everybody, so that her eccen-
tricities and her bold, original ways are ior-
given. prize you so highly that 1 suffer
when 1 see you continually in the company
of French Secretary of Legation, who,
like his countrymen, seems to think he can
do whatever he chooses"
"Why." replied jana, you develop no
small diplomacy by appealing to my self
love. But, remember! She is almost ugly,
while reign by my beauty. She is poor. I
have large fortune. No one will ever
count me her equal. Her eccentricities
arise all from her naturally gay and cheer
full temper. You surely would not have me
be more tastidious in the choice of my
friends than the Empress-who cannot get
along without Rital'
81 repeat, my darling, her name is too
we'll known. A woman who is much talked
of always arouses mistrust Sophie and the
Princess Olga are both of them slightly in
sane. And this Count Hahn who passes for