Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-09-10

| Y Y
TEE CARD GAME WITH COUNT DEGENFELD-
collected during his travels, some of
| which could not be exhibited in salons
His haggard face with the inf1amed
lids and innumerable wrinkles about
the eyes. and those eyes themselves
with their cold, phosphorescent lights,
corresponded well with all the rest
altogether very revolving picture
Finally he proposed to introduce me
at the International club, in which, he
said, one could be sure of losing ones
money only to ones equals
Twas not very much inclined to ac-
cept his offer, but did SO anyway, as /
was doubtful how to word my refusal.
As was about to leave him he de-
tanned me to criticise the rest of the
guests
'tOne might almost envy You your
neighbor at your right" said he "A
charming little woman; there is fire in
her, More than is agreeable to the
| clergyman Seldom have 1 seen a more
enticing glance of eve than hers. 1t was
delightful pastime for me to dodge her
behind the large vase. Tempt passatii
For few days now / have been no
wherei Naturally, when such young
opposing forces put in appearance, the
old guard must yield. Well, / bear
no malice, my young friend. and bonnie
chanceI" he concluded laughing. There
are other flowers blooming here in this
paradiser'
He escorted me out
A T. &1,a OF To-
| tive coming from the countess room
She tried to-hurry by with bow, but the
count seized her and drew her to him
She laughed and disengaged herself
in her childlike innocence she looked
upon it as harmless Jest; but it seemed
to me, who saw the expression Of his
face, as If an ugly caterpillar were to
creep over delic ate white lily
| "a pretty child, is she not?' asked
the count, looking after the youthful
form, which hurried gracefully on
lone good thing in the suffering condi-
ton of NV wife is, that she cannot do
without the girl, SO one always has
something pretty in the house"
81 believe the young lady is a niece
of yours, count?" said /, gravely.
We'll, yes; a far-removed niece.
Daughter of second cousin. am not
| in the least fatherly-
$50 much the worse" thought i, and
took my leave
Count Degenfeld was not at dinner. In
his place sat Miss Ellen, as had heard
her called On that account / could
easily see her, whereas formerly the
large vase had hidden her from me-
She was truly bewitehingly fresh and
youthful, and was more strikingly SO
next the faded. yellow face of the
| countess She was quite unabashed
and natural She had q playful dispute
with the German professor about q
poem, and showed herself SO well read
in literature that listened to her with
pleasure, and was delighted with her
| ready answers.
This did not please my pretty neigh
Dor. Her fan moved quicker, and the
lace jabot on her full bosom rose and
| fell
do you think that forward, little,
lean miss pretty?" she asked, ut last I
thought Of my conversation with The
count. and said, coolly:
do you mean Miss Ellen? think
she can be called neither little, forward
nor lean"
'Indeede And how would you de-
scribe this Miss Ellen?''
81 think. as a very graceful. we'll
bred lady, to whom one can listen with
pleasure"
Yes" said the lady, slowly; "she
seems to have learnt a great deal. i
envy her; know so little"
| With that, she lifted her beautiful
eyes, which were heavy with unshed
tears, and looked me full in the face. I
might strive all would, beneath the
magic OF those eyes / was powerless-
And, although 1 felt that was on dam
gerous ground, forgot the rest Of the
company in a conversation carried ON
| in an undertOle.
Shortly before rising from the table
Mrs. Clifford said:
"Rubinstein gives a concert to-mor-
row, my husband cannot bear music;
| will you be kind enough to escort me?,'
bowed.
"Ah, that Is kind of you Shall You
be IN the salon any more to-day?''
81 am sorry, but I have an engage
ment with Count Degenfeld for to-
night
She bit her fun underlip. "Adieu,
then, until tomorrow
As I was descending the stairs, pre-
pairing to go out, met Lapotin-
Are you going to q party?" he asked.
polnIlng 10 my dress
Count Degenfeld wishes to intro
duce me at the club"
He nodded as much as to saw. I
thought so.
Ah!" he remarked. playfuIly; ssyou
are pitching In, baron-yesterdayi in the
rawing-room, and to-day-wen, have
no rgn. 70 prevent, scarcely to warn.
You; but only one reouestIxea, -.
eyes open; all is not gold that olfttsr.
1t you wish to gamble. po rafhs, =,
Monte Carlo; there one Ga, .+ -.
leave on when one wishes tori