Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-09-24


attend the concert at my request. and
therefore am well cared for"
The clergyman, who understood
French very impcrfectly. raised his hat
politely and the happy pir disap-
peared.
Lapotin and ! looked at each other.
Suddenly my friend broke out into a
hearty laugh, such as had never heard
fro before.
&C said he, merrily, I'VE win
now give up the concert entirely.
Rubinstein will play again. Let US go
to the drawing room. which will be
empty to-day, and while away the time
over a Up of Russian tea which Louis
makes from my special recipe. You
know one can talk better after having
escaped from danger" he added.
As we drew near the salon the sounds
of music greeted US. Lapotin made a
grimace
Music again, said he despondently;
''Kismet-no one can escape his fate
just then a young, pure voice rang
out. We stood as if rooted to the spot
ible songstress sang the Farewell song
from the .Trumpeter of Sakkingen, -
and the refrain sounded wonderfully
touching and beautiful:
Behuet dich Colt, es wasr so schnn gewesen,
Behuet dich Colt, es hat NIGHT sollen sein."
At the close, we entered the room
and there before the piano sat Miss
Ellen, in a delightfully."- unconscious at
titude; her slender hands which had
played the accompaniment so firmly,
lay in her lap.
Her only audience consisted of Count
ess Degenfeld, lying on sofa, Miss
Rennert who gazed at her favorite with
beaming eyes, and Mr.. White, who was
expressing his delightto the singer enthu-
siastlcally. while She, with her childish
blue eyes raised to his, listened with a
happy smile.
Our appearance caused a sensation.
Why were we not at the concert? We
explained that we could get no seats,
and Lapotin, approaching Miss Ellen,
urgently begged her not to let us dis
turb her, or rather - compensate US for
our lost treat.
"a nice compensation, laughed She,
cheerily, but ! will gladly sing, for the
piano is rarely to be had, and there are
always 50 many strange people in the
salon"
So without further urging she sang
one song after another. Without any
effort the magnificent tones came from
her youthful breast, without deepening
a. u. /,
the countess thought She had sung
enough.
only one more song; it is quite short,
little aunt, said Ellen; then came the
soft, melancholy music. 1t was Chop
ms ''Ringlein:"
| 'Muszte in die Ferne wandern, etc"
At those sweet, complaining tones /
felt the vacant chair between Lapotin
and me tremble. l looked at my friend;
he had turned pale to his lips upon
which his teeth were pressed; his hand
| grasped the arm of the chair he was
/ evidently striving for composure.
| The last tone died away; | rose, SO
! that, stepping before Lapotin, he might
! have time to collect himself.
I When turned around he had left the
room. Immediately afterwards the
/ countess and Ellen withdrew.
Mr.. White seated himself by the lamp
with an English paper Miss Rennert
and were at the fireplace The old
lady looked serious and thoughtful.
/ "You are Lapotin's friend, she be.
/ gan; The has spoken to me of You with
warm interest which he seldom shows
When he came in with You to-day he
| seemed happier than | had ever seer
him. and | was very much pleased. Yor
have now seen how quickly his mooG
changes That simple song moved him
| greatly; he is i'll, i'll in mind and body;
/ but he tries with all his might to con-
! ceal both troubles. So tonight you
must not seek him out, but tomorrow.
/ For my sake go to Monte Carlo; you
have never been there, and it will keep
him from thinking OF himself and his
| past"