The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-27
ny back and forth as she looked down

not clear to me. for at that moment the
midsummer Nights Dream closed
with crashing accord: before me stood
the Russian, who asked in his deep low
voice. .....
''Shall we take a cup of coffee at
Rumpclmeyer's again to-day"
| sprang up, stammercd a confused
''Very gladly" bowed low to the lady
] did not dare look at her-and left the
room. In passing out. heard the Ger
man professor say to the clergyman:
'Gardcz Ia rcinc.' glanced quickly
at my companion, but not a muscle of
his serious face moved.
The fresh night air was pleasant.
Il would advise you to fasten your
overcoat," said Lapotin; you are
heated"
Yes, it was oppressivcly warm in
the room." answered quickly, follow
ing his advice.
We walked through the streets silent
~, and took seats at small table in
the cafe.
Mile. Adele seemed piqucd. because
the Russian prince Russians
pass for princes with that class-had
not smile for her this evening.
tried to make up for it: she ac-
ccptcd my attentions condcscendingly.
'One must encourage youthful talent"
she seemed to think.
You were at Monte Carlo ycster-
day?" | began.
YES" said Lapotin, with difficulty
dragging himself from his brooding
II am miserable company" continued
he, with sad smile, land did wrong in
taking you from the MUSHROOM. You
will do kind deed if You remain with
mo awhile. | am ill-ill in body and
midland your face, your voice do me
good. DO you know that you are be-
ginning to superscde me with my one
only friend here? Miss Rennert spoke
of you to me continually at table and
recommended you to me as remedy
for my pain"
And you as her obedient protege
swallow the prescribed medicine as
well as you cam" said l, laughing Il
feel very much flattered."
"You should feel So" said Lapotin,
calmly. "A young man who finds favor
AS rule, she does not like men-do
not say: Like all old maids:' that is
not SO in this ease, for in no way is she
like one. 1t seems that she has had
deep insight into married life-which
is not very wonderful; prepare your
self for a great surprise; this worthy
old lady with her knowledge of the
world and refined manners, was for
merly lady's maid, as they are called!"
"A lady's maid?'' l repeated, and
stared at the speaker. astounded.
II see, my friend, that you are ter
ribly startled. Your aristocratic feel
ings are awakened. My shrewd, old
friend anticipated that, and therefore
commissioned me especially to tell you
this, SO that you should not form a
friendship which later might be un-
pleasant to YOU"
But you yourself associate with
Miss Rennert as an equal?" asked l,
dejectedly.
II? oh! such things do not trouble
me! ! am always abroad, and meet so
many people about whom one cannot
inquire if the flag under which they
sail be a true one-I never ask achdt is a
person, rather what is his worth?
Moreover l believe in an aristocracy of
minds, which recognize one another by
secret signs, like freemasons. / have
received the old lady's sign, and am her
devoted friend"
Besides" continued Lapotin, II
must tell you that Miss Rennert was a
well-educated girl, and only accompa-
MED a much-loved foster-sister, a young
east Prussian countess, at her express
wish to Courland, when she married
and wanted familiar face near her.
After that she Travelled about the world
a great deal as companion to an old
lady who left her considerable legacy.
She has seen and been through much.
fireside in former years" We arose
to 60.
Mile. Adele now received the covet-
ed smile, and curtsied to Monsieur lie
Prince"
On the street my companion suddenly
asked: "And our blonde! Gu en- etes-
vous? have you seen her again?'
To-day, in driving past" said /.
II saw her, too, yesterday in church;
the girl is indeed marvelously beauti-
full, and she really seemed to pray" said
he, as if to himself.
told him of my meeting at the con-
suls; he listened attentively and then
seemed lost in meditation.
'Good night" said he, in the vesti-
bule of the hotel.
Good night" I answered.
"Shall you dream of blue eyes or
| of blonde curls?"
l laughed and said perhaps Of both.
"Ah. a newly discovered beauty? You
are Don Juan. l shall warn Miss
Rennert against YOU" With that he
disappeared. And really dreamed of
blue eyes and golden hair: and the new
Undiscovered beauty was the young girl
who ran into my arms on the steps that
day.
CHAPTER III.
The pattering of the rain awoke me
the sky was overcast. l could not
think of trip to Monte Carlo. l re.
manned in bed as long as possible, and
sauntered into the drawing-room later,
very much bored.
That large family, my neighbors at