Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-15

portiere, saw Count Degenfeld stand
ing, one arm thrown around Ellen's
shoulders, while he raised up her little
head with his left hand.
s'Well, little mouse, what brings you
here? How warm you are: you have
walked too quickly. I can feel your lit
tie heart beat;" and he held her tighter.
Ellen's voice sounded labored, as she
told him about her aunt's handkerchief.
''Ah! don't speak of aunt, she can
wait; she has you always, and L only
seldom. You have not even once
thanked me for the watch with which
presented you to-day! Is it not worth
at least a kiss, you neat little witch?
No, not your cheek, little fool, your
mouth, your sweet, little mouth, would
1 kiss, my little rosebud!'' He drew the
trembling form violently towards him
and rained glowing kisses upon her
face.
/ heard the counts last words while
standing under the portiere without his
seeing me.
Count cried I, in q voice trembling
with excitement. With a muttered
oath he drew back, and Ellen, freed
from his encircling arms, put her hands
before her face and rushed away.
With very red face, and in an icy
tone, Count Degenfeld asked:
''Ah! baron! to what do I owe the
pleasure of 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 /.
''Ah! the handkerchief, yes, Ellen
| spoke of it, too. think it very strange
| in ny wife to send young man after
| my niece so sans facon!''
''The countess need not fear that any
insult would be offered to such a young
lady as Miss Ellen
''What do you mean by that signif-
can't tone, my young friend?" inter
ruptcd the count, smiling. You seem
to forget that Ellen is my niece-can-
not an uncle kiss his little niece, es-
| specially On Xmas eve, when he has
| given her such nice presents! The stub
born little mink did not wish to give
me 4 kiss, and therefore / took one,
which seems to me altogether very in
nocert thing. Ellen and 1 are good
friends. only she is already somewhat
of coquette in her way. Do not fear,
we shall make it up
81 beg pardon for having interrupted
this little domestic scene" said 1, calm
Il. bowed and withdrew.
A feeling Of deep sadness possessed
rae. 1 felt with bitterness that the
pure image of my beloved had been de-
fled. 1 saw continually in my agitated
mind her slender, shrinking form in the
old roue's arms.
/ I concluded that if intended to make
| my Sha no
longer amidst those surroundings, and
it seemed aim ost necessary to take the
important step at once, for 1 loved
Ellen more dearly than ever.
Moved by conflicting feelings. ap-
preached the countess, with an I'M
rufded countenance.
Pardon me, countess, for remaining
so long away, but I met your husband
upstairs, and he detained me several
moments"
'sAnd Ellen?' asked the countess.
ssMiss Ellen went to her ROOM" an
swered. seating myself by Miss Rem
merit, and asking her in an undertone to
60 upstairs and seek out Ellen.
81 believe she needs YOU" added.
Miss Rennert looked at my pale face
anxiously, said quietly to the countess
that she had had enough Xmas 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.
ALI were laughing and TESTING around
the Xmas tree. They were extinguish-
ing the candles, in which work old and
young participated. 1 watched the
work; as the tree stood there dark aud