The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-01-12
AN AMERICAN COUNTESS.
Happiness Lost Through Ambition Rogained
Through Grief and Love-
BY FRANK LEE BENEDICT.

ptihtOti AtASC- koAiC AOO1Ao d4CtIAuAAy
worn and pulled down, she thought;
land she has almost lost her beauty,
poor thing.
She grew more tender than ever. She
Was sorry for her husbands daughter,
and was perfectly unconscious that she
found sort of satisfaction in pitying her
and noting the havoc that had been
wrought in her face. But Mrs. Laurence
was mistaken there. just now Adele did
look weary and worn, and the girlish
/ loveliness would never come back; but she
was more beautiful than ever, with such
a touching sadness in the glorious brown
eyes, such q scorn OF herself and the whole
world on her proud mouth.
Yes, I" continued Mrs. Laurence, after
she had finished her study of the count
ess' features, wen be quiet as mice
and sit and rest in the sunshine. need
it, too. You know Dora Hastings lives
| with meY She's grown into such pretty
/ girl--I'm sure you'll like her"
"That's an admirable reason for one
woman liking another returned Adele
lazily, and Mrs. Laurence laughed.
THAT really sounds like You, she said.
but you never were Jealous of other
women, III say for you; and certainly
you have no need to be now.
That's very pretty, Lily, y the countess
answered, with fash of the great eyes
which reminded Mrs. Laurence of old
days, s'but you know you have been think
ing for the last five minutes that I had
! lost all my good looks--I am simply
hideous.
You are tired-thss dreadful voyage"
EXACTLY said Adele; the voyage.
They reached the Fifth avenue house
and found luncheon and Dora Hastings
awaiting them
- hope You haven't forgotten me, "
said the girl, gong straight up to the
countess and giving her one kindly kiss.
You used to pet me great deal. was
such nttie thing that seemed much
younger IMAM You then.
4 think time hasn't changed that. "
returned the countess. lyon are IL and
am almost 20. =
FOR heavens sake, don't begin talking
about ages, exclaimed Mrs. Laurence,
laughing. II am astonished at such
Yankee trick in you, countess Please TO
remember 1.l that I am too Q. near 80 for the
subject to be agreeable. "
They mad a cheerful meal together, talk
ing as people might who had only been
separated for short space, and TO neither
of whom anything Of Importance had
happened since they parted. IT was what
Nine. de Scissors intended for the pres
eng and all time to come; but she men
tally congratulated her companions ON
having tact enough to accept the position
without one single blunder.
I'VE are going up the river in to-night's
boat, Mrs. Laurence explained $50
you'll not mind the added journey, Adele.
must run away for awhile. now. Dora,
| on For
me, and our traveller can lie down and
rest herself. y
SO they took her up 70 pleasant cham
Der, made her comfortable, and left her
with order to sleep. She smiled prom
Use, not thinking it necessary to inform
them that she and slunper had been poor
friends for long while,
Did you ever see anybody so worn and
haggardP' exclaimed Mrs. Laurence
when she and her cousin were safely
downstairs again.
Dee she Is very nanosone selti, Oora
answered.
can see IT, A4rs' Laurence pro
nouneeu.
wat tiil she gets rested, said Dora-
oor .nins' no" sweet ane gentle she
seems.
NoW, iooh mere. Gofa, sald MRS.
laurence, you reeosset what told you'll
Know Aaele by heart sne mas plenty
OF geoa quantities: We USED 70 quarrel
ereauluiiy; Out OF course we don'p neea
10 now
dont tnlnkt interrupted Dora,
tha1 sne cares enough about anything IN
these days 70 quarrel oTer IL.
And think you're little Ounce to
imagine you understand her at all, - re-
turned her cousin, With the charming
frankness relatives are wont to display in
private. She is as artful as the father Of
hes-a born actress, cold blooded, selfish,
and the most outrageous hirt that ever
hveq.
but now
You make me sick with your eyerlast-
ing now. tell You 10 remember what L
SAID when found she was coming back.
Keep your secret for the present Or she'll
make you trouble. "
! ''I'll remember was all Dora said,
and went her way. She had her own
thoughts on the subject, but it was not
her habit to force opinions on people, and
she never argued with Lily, because she
new Lily's temper could not stand it. Not
that she was poor cousin, or q protege,
or anything else unfortunate. She had
money Of her own, and was perfectly in
dependent; but she and Mrs. Laurence
were fond of each other, and lived to-