Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-10-15

been SG1lcd. ana she Nia not Know now
TO remedy il.
Miss Bcnnert told Ellen pleasantly to
bring her the handkerchief and she
would show her hogv 10 wash it.
whercupon Mrs. Clifford smiled mock
ingly and said. abruptly, in French:
My. how much you know! 1t is
very handy. Perhaps you might teach
the young lady hairdressing at the
same time. That is always expected,
too"
The thrust was SO UNNECESSARILY
coarse and impertinent that none Of US
could find rctort at once
Ellen, who scarcely understood the
allusion, but noticed the hostile,
malicious tone in which it was made,
stared at the woman with large, fright
ened eyes.
Then the voice Of Miss Rennert rang
out calmly and composedly in very best
French:
If this insult was meant to recall
the time when | practised those arts, L
do not understand its object; probably
it was foolishly intended to annoy Miss
Ellen. As far as know, it could injure
no lady to have a knowledge of such
things. especially if she. like Miss Ellen,
he so intellectual that She need not fear
being lowered by knowing them. But
for ladies' who have fewer sources of
knowledge, it would be very advisable
if they would busy themselves with
feminine work; for fashionable sloth
often leads to dangerous paths.
So spoke Miss Rennert without the
least excitement, her eyes fastened
upon Mrs. Clifford; who, deathly pale,
with beaving bosom, sat there, while
her husband, all attention, but unable
to follow the French conversation,
stared at us all in helpless astonish-
ment.
Just at that moment Count Degenfeld
entered, his face red, his eyes dull, evil
IDENTIFY fresh from dinner party. His
first glance was for Mrs Clifford, whose
emotion must have struck him, for he
flew towards ne threateningly.
what has happened?' he asked his
wife, in a suppressed tone of voice, at
the same time questioning Mrs. Clifford
with lis eyes.
Mo~ed by the most conflicting emo
tions, incapable of any longer control
ling her feelings, the angry woman burst
into tears.
Count Degenfeld fastened to her at
once, and with her husbands help, led
her out of the room.
We rose also. Miss Rennert babe us
~ T1r-ar,s.,1.l
down Oh a sofa in dark corner Of the
salon, and sent Ellen, who was very
nervous, upstairs, to gain her com
posture, and to bring back some work
with. her.
l sat at the fireplace and tried to read
paper. In a few moments Count
Degenfeld entered. He glanced hastily
around, and only seeing present few
Frenchmen, deep in ecarte, he stepped
up to me and asked quite excitedly:
May be allowed to ask you, Baron
Aschen, for an explanation of the in
comprehensive scene at table d hote?
You, ! believe, class yourself amongst
the intimate friends of that old Miss
Rennert, the ci-devant lady's maid, who
IS becoming so spoilt here, that she
takes upon herself to insult well-bred
aides,
At his frst word had sprung up, and
looked down on the excited man calmly.
IF you are seeking cause for quar-
rel with he, count" said I, choose
something oetter than battle Of words
between two ladies, who are nothing to
us; | certainly do not know what iusti-
fes you in seeking satisfaction for Mrs.
Clifford That lady probably knows
very well that it was she who began
the attack"
Before the count could answer his
wife's cold, calm voice sounded close by
his side. siio lad risen and joined Us
quietly.
Baron Aschen Is quite right: nor do
understand how the affair concerns
you. If you are curious You can easily
learn the whole story from me. I think
the less said aboua it the better Mrs
Clifford conducted herself in a most I'M
ladylille manner, still in her it was not
surprising" With that the countess
drew her shawl about her. babe me
good night and left the room proudly.
Count Degenfeld had shrunk back at
the sound of his wife's voice. He now
stood there with darkened brow, lower
ing eyes and biting his long mustache
fercely
Suddenly he laughed aloud, although
it was rather forced, and said:
Really nothing but ladies battle
we'll that IS surely not worth troubling
about. Mrs. Clifford is such hasty little
woman | can imagine how her tongue
would run away with her. But with
ont that attribute she would not be half
SO charming How enchanting she
looked, as She lay upstairs dissolved in
tears, while nor poor husband rushed
after a glass of water You do not
bear me any malice OF account of my
stupidity -c'etait plus fort que moi.
lie held out his hand. which pressed
lightly Then he put ca his lat and eft
the hotel whistling. 4 tete-a-tete with
his wife had its terTors for him.
went upstairs t. visit Lapotin. who