Telegram-herald., 1891-08-06

No, child said I, your friend Is
not quite 10 my taste could Dot fail Ia
love with lady with such clever eyes !"
Lecnie was very much sexed at my
poor taste. Then Miss Parker sang /
believe she sang IN every living and
dead language
DO you ever sing anything Ameri-
cam" asked /. malieiously. She looked
at me ealmiy. Usually only when l
am alone.' answered she; bat l VIII
give you an American song"
Then sae sung q lullaby with such
feeling and with such sweet srniie.
that whispered softly 10 Leonie:
do you know that am not 20 pos
tive about falling In lover"
She nodded 70 me, smiiingiy. and said:
'sYeA, one must only learn to know heF
better"
withstood all attempts 10 induce me
10 stay over night; an inward unrest
drove me beck to Nice. Arrived there,
heard. ON passing the salon, loud talk
ing. and picked especially the cast
Prussian dialect of tho stout lady, and
the sharp organ OF the virtuous mater
faInilias "Whofn msy they be picking
e. pieces ncw?" thought l. did not stop,
bat fastened az once to Lapotin- lie
received me with his customary calm
friendlinesS
said he, but Miss Rennert kept noe
company; she. too, felt rether deserted.
The countess and Miss Ellen have gone
away"
''Gonc away?" cried out. springing
up. where? Why? What has hap
pened?
The two last questions you are prob
ably better able TO answer than ]; as
far IS the first is concerned they have
gone 10 Florence"
Istared before me. "And the count?'
asked l. at last.
'Oh. the count, he IL here. He can.
not leave Monaco and Mrs Clifford SO
quickly. And he cannot endure Flor
ence; as he says tho beauties there in
marble and oils leave him cold To
morrow you viii very likely hear more
from Miss Rennert-" Ipressed his hand
and left him.
When i reached my room II struck
mo how miserable and i'll he looked,
and l reproached myself for not having
paid him moro attention during the past
few days. 1t was late in the night when
some one knocked at my door.
"Who IS there?" cried l.
softly. open your door, I pray you;
II is I. Lapotin," heard his voice say.
put on some clothes and opened the
door. Before me stood Lapotin, a can
die in his hand, palc and haggard, but
quite calm and dressed for going out.
The black fur gave his face a ghastly
appearance.
81 have como to soy farewell, !" said
he. mo, am not raving, as you seem
inclined to think" continued he with Q
weary smile. II leave in q quarter o,
ON hour for tho station! From Mar
scilles to Geneva told you should
have to go soon; that it would be sc
soon I did not suspect; received the
news on Xmas eve! Still hcsitated
to-day it must be. have long beer
prepared; give .mo the papers which
gave you when thought should die
you have taken good care of them fol
me, have You not? All! those are they
Thanks, and thank you for all the kind
ness that you have shown q poor in
valid"
He put out his hand; listened as il
turned to stone, and hrnded the papers
over to him. At tn, word invalid
revived.
Eyes, you are i'll, still very i'll; it il
impossible for You to travel; it woult
be your death; I cannot Let you go."
my dear friend" answered he calm
ly and solemnly, lit must be, and fee
that can undertake it. ] can surely
go as far IS Geneva, then will write
to you. Until then believe In me-
though much may seem strange; yet
another thing" he continued, taking
several one thousand franc bills out OF
his pocketbook, III you wish to do 9
good work give this money to oul
blonde You can always find her q,
evening service in that church where
we met yesterday. Do not look &C
serious; the girl Is not unworthy of ou,
sympathy; in any case she has earned
the money honestly, and it may per
haps save her-you will receive re
ceipt. and now time presses; FAREWELL
''But you are 90 alone; take a car
riage and let me 60 with you to the
depot"
mo, no, everything is arranged;
shall not travel alone; do not trouble
yourself: remember me to Miss Rem.
merit, and now, for the last time, adieul'
He pressed my hand and was gone.
1 stared at tue door behind which he
vanished, and the whole affair seemed
like dream. Below carriage drove
away quickly-stirrcd by many differ.
ent thoughts. lay down again aud
toward morning slept so soundly, that
when nwosc IL was late. II seemed
noisier In the house than ever before
heard heavy footsteps In the cor
ridor, strange voices, and the deep, bass
voice Of Herr Metsler. who was never
visible 50 carly--after having rung re-
pcatedly Louis appeared, he looked pals
and agitated.
What is the matter so early9 asked
/ have guests arrived?"
''Oh, no." said Louis. mo one he's ar'
rived, rather IN old guest has Just left.
Mr.. Lapotin received a telegram in the
night. took the early train for Mar
seilles, and now" he hesitated.
Just now. what7" asked I.
"Only think, baron, just now there
were people here who asked for him,
and searched his room and belongings,
and tho bead waiter says they arc some
Of the secret police" I was frightened.
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