Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-10-29

~A&A~
out to her something that | did not
hear, and I saw her slender form hurry
through the hall and disappear.
approached the ladies.
''oh, how tircsome.' I heard the
countess say. Il sent that poor child for
my handkerchief and here it is behind
me on the sofa-how she win hunt for
it,
81 am just on my way to Lapotin, ="
said !, perhaps I can inform Miss
Ellen?"
"Oh, yes, baron, please do so.'
could hear the countess saying, when
was on the way.
The doors of the countess salon were
aiar / entered; the room was dark, the
second one also, but in the third was
bright lamplight and through the.opcn
| portiere, | saw Count Degenfeld stand
ing one arm thrown around Ellen's
shoulders, while he raised up her little
head with his left hand.
"Wen, little mouse, what brings You
here? How warm you are; you have
walked too quickly. | can feel your lit
tie heart beat and he held her tighter.
Ellen's voice sounded labored as she
told him about her cunts handkerchief.
"Ah! don't speak Of aunt, she can
wait; she has you always and / only
seldom. You have not even once
thanked me for the watch with which
presented you to-day! Is it not worth
at least kiss, you neat little witch?
No, not your cheek, little fool, your
mouth, your sweet, little mouth, would
kiss, my little rosebud!n He drew the
trembling form violently towards him
and raiued glowing kisses upon her
face.
| heard the counts last wolds while
standing under the porticre without his
seeing me.
Count, cried l, in a voice trembling
with excitement. With muttered
oath he drew back, and Ellen, freed
from his encircling arms, put her hands
before her face and rushed away.
With a very red face, and in an icy
tone Count Degenfeld asked:
"Ah! baron. to what do 1 owe the
pleasure of a visit from you at such an
unusual hour, in my private rooms?"
Your wife sent me after Miss Ellen,
as her handkerchief had been found.
said l.
"Ahl the handkerchief, yes. Ellen
spoke Of it, too. think it very strange
in my wife to send young man after
my niece so sans faconl'
''The countess need not fear that any
insult would be offered to such young
lady as Miss Ellen
What do YOU mean by that signif-
cant tone, my young friend2' inter
ruptad the count, smiling. You seem
to forget that Ellen is my niece-can-
not an uncle kiss his little niece, es-
specially ON Nmas eve, when he has
given her such nice presents! The stub
born little mink did not wish to give
me a kiss, and therefore | took one,
which seems TO me altogether a very in
nocent thing. Ellen and | are good
friends, only she is already somewhat
of a coquette in her way! Do not fear,
we shall make it up
Il beg pardon for having interrupted
this little domestic scene, said l, calm
", bowed and withdrew.
a feeling of deep sadness possessed
me. | felt with bitterness that the
pure image of my beloved had been de-
filed. / saw continually in my agitated
mind her slender, shrinking form in the
old roue's arms.
! concluded that if intended to make
Ellen my wife she must remain no
longer amidst those surroundings, and
/ II seemed aim )st necessary to take the
important step at once for | loved
Ellen more dearly than ever.
Moved by conflicting feelings. / ap-
/ preached the countess with an un-
rutiled countenanee
Pardon me, countess, for remaining
so long away, but met your husband
/ upstairs, and he detained me several
moments"
And Ellcn2" asked the countess.
Miss Ellen went to her room. an
swered, seating myself by Miss Rem
merit. and asking her in an undertone to
/ go upstairs and seek out Ellen
II believe she needs you, added
/ Miss Rennert looked at my pale face
anxiously, said quietly to the countess
that She had had enough Nmas festivi-
ty, wished her good night and disap-
/ peared. ] remained with the countess,
and forced myself to entertain her. in
order TO give Ellen more time
All were laughing and testing around
the Xmas tree They were extinguish-
ing the candles, in which work old and
young participated | watched the
work; as the tree stood there dark aud