Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-10-23
A N0NCONDUCTOR.

her life was pleasure. In fact | had
made her acquaintance at ball, sur
rounded by an infinite variety of ador.
ers, smiling, disdainful, allowing herself
to be worshiped, completely Indifferent
Naturally, after turn of the waltz, in
which she doated, light and elegant,
remained an enthusiast in regard to her
and since the reputation of a skeptic
given me by my friends, was not well
merited, joined the crowd of vain wor-
shippers that surrounded the goddess
Did she notice my devotion? | do not
know! | know that sometimes the pro
found gaze of her large black eyes, rest
ing upon me, seemed to become melan-
choly thoughtful. But it was momen-
tary, for then that expression disappeared
under her customary smile That espe
cial evening, leaning her arm on the rail
ing of her theater box, she had turned
toward me one of her enigmatical glances
accompanied by slight bending of the
head.
| confess that | started, and that a
thousand thoughts focked into my
mind. Was the ice melted, perhaps?
Had that atrophied heart begun to beat?
did not delude myself | might be her
father; she was twenty-six years Of age;
| almost fifty, although | tried not to
show them.
Yet | could not resist, and soon after
my hand pushed open the door of box
No. f.
"Finallyr' exclaimed the countess.
You really leave people to wish for
your company"
'Signora," l replied, you are pleased
to fatter me.
Il never fiatter my friends, and re-
gard you as one Of them. 1t is so long
that we have known each other"
So long! 1t was not even a month; not
knowing what to reply, silently assent
ed with smile. She did not appear
satisfied with my manner, and bursting
into one of her gay laughs, she said:
But do not you remember? AtVenice,
On the Lido, came with my cousin,
Signora Lini, and you with Giorgio Ri
goli; have you forgotten US? | am sorry,
because wished this evening, recalling
those memories, that you should pay
little court to mel!
Decidedly. She was a coquette, an
imbecile. But as Il gallant squire of
danes, was to remain defeated?
''Countessr' exclaimed, IF were to
take your words seriously, be warned
that you would have assumed terrible
responsibility.
81 am not afraid; | believe that my
signature is still negotiable"
Take care countess, you are always
playing with dangers; are you sure of
conquering themT
''If there were no obstacles victory
would have no value.
well, you always succeed"
Certainly When set about an I'M
dertaking never draw back"
And now you have undertaken to
make me lose my head"
who knows? Would you be sorry to
devote it to me?'
For you, countess, would sacrifice
myself"
For PHYS sake, do not let US go into
the usual commonplace phrases of soci-
ETY.; | like eccentricity, do you knowl
wish to find in you an exception; then
do not try to pay court to me, leave that
privilege to the boys; but you! A seri-
Gus man, skeptical, almost philosopher!
To care for an atoml That would be an
antithesis!'
She was laughing at me. rose to
take leave.
Wait a moment, beg of you.
have something to ask you" and her
voice trembled slightly.
Countess, am at your orders!''
Are you a friend to me-a friend in
the true sense of the word?'
Il hope SOL replied.
We'll, tell me, away there in Africa,
is Giorgio happy"
WHAT You still remember him;
but, your marriage!'
WAS imposed upon me-" she added
excitedly. But do not let us speak of
thatl 1t is of him that wish for news,
| have wanted so long to hear from
him."
What was to tell her? That he lived
there alone, disconsolate, with her mem
ory stamped upon his heart? Reawaken
the affection, sleeping, but not yet dead?
Tell her that in every letter of his, over
flowing with bitterness, Giorgio asked
after her, but that, believing himself
forgotten, he had sworn never to see her
again? She must not know 1t.
Happiness is chimera, countess;
but he lives tranquil, surrounded by af-
lection and good will.
"But is his life in peril, does no one
make war upon him!"
HE is very much liked, and is pro
tected by the consul; he lives in that
family as if he were member of it,"
"Ah! are there many European fam
;1;as tbereT' And she fixed her great
ayes with Jealous anxiety, upon my
face.
MANY. should not be surprised,
indeed, to hear some day that Glorglo
xvonld settle permanently in Africa,
making himself a home of his own
there"
vas silent. Some people came into
~ NV | withdrew to the back of it,
Tha countess had become very pale, tears
-rore trembling in her eyes. With
oI,,+o gesture, as if in answer to an in
le question. she turned her dark head
- the marquette. When she turned
ord me again, her face was serene
IL iowa.. - nile curved her liDs
the T rSeai egoodby. signor'' she said tc
ironically, 'sor rather, au revoir, fol-
hone despite the total dinerence OF oul
artistic opinions. that you WIN remain
friend to me. .- hand: 81 receiv,
every Friday evening nope % 500 sO'
there ,,+ ont slowly, Will