Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-06-18
A WINTER AT NICE
By HE1TIE E. M1LLlR.

The stout lady now looked over at
Count Degenfeld significantly, and con-
versation ceased.
After pause the stout lady turned to
Miss Rennert, and asked: GLOW did
you feel, mademoiselle, when you found
that the young Russian, your especial
friend, was a criminal pursued by the
police? My knees fairly knocked to-
gether to-day when 1 heard the scandal
Gus story; with what people one meets
in travelingl had Marie-that Is my
niece-see to it at once that nothing
valuable had disappeared: our rooms
were next his" laughed.
"Do not laugh, sir; If you lived as near
Russia as do, you would realize what
gang they are, and nihilists, too" She
shuddered with horror.
81 bow before your superior knowl-
edge, madame, }" said L; but beg of you
not to apply the term political crimi-
nal to this case. / myself spoke with
the police officer. He called Lapotin a
political character there was no
mention of the word criminal Per-
haps they hoped to received explana-
tions from him about certain alliances,
and these have not been forthcoming,
owing to his departure. Nothing can
be brought against my friend, Lapotin."
The stout lady held her peace. Count
Degenfeld laughed, and said:
"Well, we'll, baron, has not this nihtl-.
istic friend infected your They say that
those revolutionary doctrines, spiritedly
held forth, have an unholy attraction
for youth"
"What should have been as a Rus
sian, know not" answered I, smiling.
"They maintain that now and then
some of the best are stricken with So
called nihilism. AS a Prussian, one is,
thank God, protected against such parox-
ysms. You do not really wish to stamp
me as a social democrat? Moreover,
Lapotin never spoke q word to me
about his political mission; only knew
him as an amiablc, intelligent man,
whom shall miss very much"
eyes, you have lost a great DEAL"
said Mrs. Gift ord, her blue eyes spark
ling with malicious triumph. ''Hotel
Suisse has been deprived of great deal
of beauty since Christmas eve. 1t was
an eventful evening, so it seems"
Count Degenfeld swallowed glass of
wine and suggested that we rise. es-
corted Miss Rennert to the door, and
then went out to fulfill Lapotin's secret
commission. On the whole l was not
displeased with tit was little adj
venture. The charming blonde still
held place in my memory, and the
thought Of freeing her from her I'M
worthy position through Lapotin's gen.
crosby, raised my spirits.
entered the lighted church. 1t was
rather empty. I walked slowly
| ~ n
small side altar, where q lamp was
hanging before picture of the Madon-
ma, a slender figure, darlxly clad.
She it was. There cleaned the gold
en- hair. Should wait until she had
finished her devotions? l did not like
to address in the church, but now that
the crowd was streaming in how easily
might lose her ia the semi-darlness.
stepped close to her.
"Mademoisele," said l, gently. She
started up affrighted. "Mademoiselle, VI
repeated, 81 have a message for you
from Lapotin. will await you before
the church"
With that went out and walked up
and down. 1t was not long before the
graceful figure came down the steps. ]
approached her. She walked next me
with bowed head.
"You have message for me?" as ked
she, in a low, we'll modulated voice.
Eyes, from my friend, Lapotin."
80! only tell me this" whispered she
raising her head: HAS he gone? Is
he in safety?" 1 looked at her in
amazement.
HE has gone, and is, we hope, IL
safety. On leaving he commissioned
me to give you this money. He hopec
to free you from connections in which
you are unhappy"
"Oh! he is good! better than anyone
I ever knew! Even the priest cannot
speak as he can! Since 1 have known
him know the difference between
right and wrong. Obi how happy
amir
, listened to her surprised and moved
and handed her the packet with thu
b money.
It ''Oh! yes, the money! he gives it Il
IS nae, does he not? Is it much?"
!. 81 believe 1t is twenty Thousand
: francs"
= $50 much? He must be richl It doe
not matter to him how much he gives
g M