The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-09-17

The lovely girl was thus opposite me,
and ! noticed with delight that her
manner toward me was not quite so
as formerly. The co.or il
her cheeks came and went; at the
same time she smiled SO brightly and
looked SO wonderfully pretty that
could scarcely keep my eyes from her.
Mrs. Clifford. without any diversion.
and, as it seemed, in a highly disa-
grccablc mood. watched rs closely.
At times her eyes rested upon Ellen
with such contempt that Miss Rennert
perceived it and looked at her earnest
ly in order to bring her to her senses
That only served to aggravate the
passionate woman more. saw how
she nervously picked to pieces a beauti-
full bunch Of violets while listening 10
our conversation, in which the countess
also joined The latter was lamenting
that valuable lace handkerchief had
been soiled, and she did not know how
to remedy it.
Miss Rennert told Ellen pleasantly to
bring her the handkerchief and she
would show her how to wash it.
whereupon Mrs. Clifford smiled mock
ingly and said. abruptly. In French:
MY! how much you knowi It II
very handy. Perhaps you might teach
the young lady hairdressing at the
same time That is always expected.
tool'
The thrust was so immeasurably
coarse and impertinent that none Of m
could find q retort at once.
Ellen, who scarcely understood the
allusion. but noticed the hostile,
malicious tone in which It was made.
stared at the woman with large. fright
ened eyes.
Then the voice of Miss Rennert rang
out calmly and composedly in very best
French:
IF this insult was meant to recall
the time when practised those arts.
do not understand its object; probably
it was foolishly intended to annoy Miss
Ellen. As far as know, itcould injure
no lady to have a knowledge Of such
things, especially if she, like Miss Ellen.
be so intellectual that she need not fear
being lowered by knowing them. But
for ladies who have fewer sources Of
knowledge, it would be very advisable
if they would busy themselves with
feminine work: for fashionable sloth
often leads to dangerous paths"
So spoke Miss Rennert without the
least excitement, her eyes fastened
upon Mrs. Clifford: who, deathly pale,
with heaving bosom. sat there. while
her husband, all attention, but unable
to follow the French conversation,
stared at MS all in helpless astonish-
ment.
Just at that moment Count Degenfeld
entered, his face red. his eyes dull EVIL
IDENTIFY fresh from dinner party. His
first glance was for Mrs. Clifford, whose
emotion must have struck him, for he
flew towards me threateningly.
what has happened?" he asked his
wife, in q suppressed tone Of voice, at
the same time questioning Mrs. Clifford
with his eyes.
Moved by the most conflicting emo
tions, incapable of any longer control
ling her feelings, the angry woman burst
into tears.
Count Degenfeld fastened to her at
once, and with her husbands help. led
her out of the room.
We rose also. Miss Rennert babe US
good night Countess Degenfeld lay
down on sofa in dark corner Of the
salon, and sent Ellen. who was very
nervous. upstairs, to gain her com.
posure. and to bring back some work
with her.
sat ut the fireplace and tried to read
a paper. In a few moments Count
Degenfeld entered. He glanced hastily
around, and only seeing present few
Frenchmen. deep in ecarte, he stepped
up to me and asked quite excitedly:
MAY be allowed to ask you, Baron
Aschen, for an explanation of the in
comprehensive scene at table d. hote?
You, believe, class yourself amongst
the intimate friends of that old Miss
Rennert, the ci-devant lady's maid. who
is becoming SO spoilt here, that she
takes upon herself to insult well-bred
ladies'"
At his first word had sprung up. and
looked down on the excited man calmly.
''lf you are seeking cause for q quar-
rel with me, count" said l, 'choose
something better than a battle Of words
between two ladies, who are nothing to
us; l certainly do not know what justi-
fics you in seeking satisfaction for Mrs
Clifford. That lady probably knows
very well that it was she who began
the attack"
Before the count could answer his
wife's cold, calm voice sounded close by
his side; she had riser and joined us
quietly.
Baron Aschen is quite right; nor do
understand how the affair concerns
you. If you are curious you can easily
learn the whole story from me. think
the less said about it the better. Mrs.
Clifford conducted herself in most I'M
ladylike manner, still in her it was moi
surprising" With that the countess
drew her shawl about her. babe me
good night and left the room proudly.
Count Degenfeld had shrunls back al
the sound of his wifc's voice. He now
stood there with darkcned brow. lower
ing eyes and biting his long mustache
hercely.
Suddenly he laughed aloud. although
it was rather forced, and said:
Really nothing but q ladies' battle
well that is surely not worth troubling
about Mrs, Clifford is such hasty little
woman can imagine how her tongue
would run away with her. But with
out that attribute she would not be hal,
SO charming! How enchanting she
looked. as she lay upstairs. dissolved in
tears, while her poor husband rushed
after a glass of watcrl You do moi
bear me any malice on account Of my
stupidity-c'etait plus fort que moi"
He held out his hand, which pressed
lightly. Then he put on his hat and left
the hotel whistling A tete-a-tete with