The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-10-01

portierc, saw Count Degenfeld stand
ing, one arm thrown around Ellen's
shoulders, while he raised up her little
head with his left hand.
"Well, 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 aunt's 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
l presented you to-day! Is it not worth
at least kiss, you neat little witch?
No, not your check, little fool, your
mouth, your sweet, little mouth, would
| 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 /, 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 Degenfcld asked:
"Ah! baron! to what do l 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 my wife to send young man after
my niece SO sans facon!'
1.-The countess need not fear that any
insult would be offered to such young
lady as Miss Ellen"
"What do you mean by that signifi-
cant tone, my young frsend?" inter-
rupted 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 kiss, and therefore took one,
which seems to me altogether q very in
nocent thing. Ellen and l are good
friends, only she is already somewhat
of a coquette in her way! Do not fear,
we shall make it up"
II beg pardon for having interrupted
this little domestic scene," said l, calm.
~, bowed and withdrew.
fOolsnr ~ Ioov1 colnorc
me. l 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
it seemed aim ost necessary to take the
important step at once, for l loved
Ellen more dearly than ever.
Moved by conflicting feelings, l ap-
preached the countess, with an un-
ruffied countenance.
pardon me, countess, for remaining
SO long away, but l met your husband
upstairs, and he detained me several
moments"
'And ELEM" asked the countess.
"Miss Ellen went to her room," l an
swered, seating myself by Miss Rem
merit, and asking her in an undertone to
60 upstairs and seek out Ellen.
II believe she needs you," l 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.
All were laughing and jesting around
the Xmas tree. They were extinguish.
ing the candles, in which work old and
young participated. l watched the
! work; as the tree stood there dark aud