Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-09-03
CHAPTER II.

and poisonous those insects are. The
| stings swell at once and burn almost
unbearably. asked the chambermaid
for mosquito net, and made my COM
plants to her.
eyes, I can believe it," said she,
laughing and examining my face; 1.-The
| gentleman is so fair and rosy, that is
what our mosquitoes here like"
''But you, my child, with your milk
and blood complexion, do not seem to
suffer from them"
'Ah, you know, they have already
made my acquaintance. It will only be
SO with you at first; after awhile they
will leave you in peace"
That was some consolation!
The sun was shining warmly, so I
took a book and went into the garden
to seek out place for myself.
The lower ones were all occupied. In
the grape arbor sat two charming ladies
conversing earnestly.
I saw Mr.. White there, too, sur
! rounded by whole regiment of English
children, with whom he was playing.
In the most sheltered place, whence one
could get good view of the sea, sat the
Russians pale table-neighbor, a Count
! ess Degenfeld, as learnt from him.
propped up and surrounded by cushions
and plaids. Before her sat q youthful
form, simply attired and with faxen
| hair. She was reading aloud in we'll
modulated voice.; English poetry, 1 be-
ieve.
I mounted a few steps higher. and
| found myself before my old friend Of
yesterday. She smiled SO kindly on me
as 1 wished her good morning that 1
| asked permission to keep her company
| for little while. Certainly" said she,
| and cleared some books from the seat
| next her; 81 was just going to ask you;
you know that old folks like to talk,
and 1 am all alone here. You came from
Berlin, and can doubtless tell me how
| our dear emperor is-the newspapers
| speak of his illness, and an old French
| man, that jaundiced creature who sits
at our table, declares that he has been
! given up. 1 did not believe him, but
would like to hear more from you"
I satisfied the old lady as well as I
could, and we conversed awhile about
our common fatherlandL
eyes, said she at last, 81 should like
! to visit my old home once again; but
should not like to live there, that 1
| know. Travelling has become neces-
| sity to me, the winters are so miserable
| there, and have no family ties to at
| tract me-"
| care you quite alone, dear mada1ne?"
I asked.
| ssDO not call me 'madame;' it is not at
all fitting. 1 have never been married.;
I am old Miss Rcnnert;' as such the
Hotel Suisse has known me for years.
saw your name in the visitors list; l
| once met Baron Won ASchen at Ma
PIES"
| '"That was without doubt my uncle,
the interchangeable traveller; two years
ago he made his last long journey into
| eternity"
"What! is he, too, dead? One by one
| our friends leave us, and at last we re-
main alone with a new generation. But
I like young people and sympathize
with them; one does not then feel so
solitary. Just few steps below us sits
a darling girl, who is now my favorite;
she is an orphan, a niece of Count
Degenfeld, and his sick wife's nurse
and companion. Hers is not an easy
place, and she comes at times to old
Miss Rennert and pours out her heart.
And then there is my neighbor at table.
the young Russian, who seems so blase,
l
did person at bottom, but very unhappy
to all Appearances If he has cause,
know not. Youth likes occasionally to
adorn itself with melancholy, and if it
has no good cause it seeks one. Shall
you remain here through the winter,
| baron?"
Eyes; came here like an obedient
son, and promised my mother not to re-
turn on any account before March; if
you will kindly place me amongst your
host of proteges-"
''Ah! believe you are ridiculing an
old lady-you look so sincere, but are,
Us they say, more cunning than you APP
pear. But wait: you shall not escape
me. shall watch over and guard you.
where it is possible, if only for your
mothers sake, who, feel certain, is an
excellent woman. Have you written
to her?''
"No," said /, somewhat confusedly.
'sNow do you see, so it is! Did not
think it? There sits the anxious mother
at home, and wonders if her.dcar boy
has arrived safely and if the journey
has done him no harm, and the
naughty boy-pardon. baron-the son
has been here since yesterday morning,
enjoying himself. thinking of brown
and golden curls, but not Of his moth
er's gray ones. My gracious! how red
you are. Have accidentally touched a
tender spot?" I laughed and defended
myself as well as could. Then I rose
and said that wanted to write home
before twelve o'clock breakfast
'sThat is WELL" said the old lady;
''now I can flatter myself that have
done good deed. for your mother will
receive her letter q day earlier" She
nodded to me kindly and descended
the steps. just at a sharp angle col
ided with the young lady who had
been reading English poetry, and was
running up the steps like q wild thing.
raised my hat and begged her par
don, smilingly. She blushed deeply,