Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-17

~I -
HE HAD HEARD THAT I ASSOCIATED A
GREAT DEAL WITH A CERTAIN LAPoTIN.
that he belonged to that class Of fanat-
les that we know under the name Of,
'nihilists.'
'"The nihilists are said to have their
dark, dangerous accomplices even in
the highest circles of society-there
may be many among them whose as
pirations are noble, still 1t will always
be wrong" said solemnly.
"You may be right" answered she,
''as a man, as an officer, as 'Prussian,
you will naturally know better than I.
You said beforea he promised you an
explanation; until then we will reserve
our Judgment. 1t is getting lonesome
here. I fear you will be the next to
leave. Do you know that the countess
and Ellen have gone to Florence2"
81 heard so from Lapotin. last even
ing. What caused that sudden decis-
ion?'
81 believe the countess learned some
thing of that scene from Ellen, and i'm
agined the rest, as she appeared to
know her consort pretty well. Ellen
refused to come to table d'hote, as well
as to see anyone, for which she was
finally compelled to give reason; then
the doctor said her nerves were over
wrought, but that otherwise she was
perfectly healthy. Possibly the coun-
tess suspected some obtrusiveness on
your part, baron, and, to vindicate you,
Ellen had to speak. AS things are, and
as much rs 1t panied me to lose my IA
vorite, 1t is better so. In this way
Ellen will regain her usual spirits. She
was quite merry when she said good
by, and promised to write to me-"
"Now we both sit here forlorn," said
I, jestingly, land await promised news.
Perhaps we may exchange with one an
other3''
Gladly" said the old lady. "And.
true friends will we remain. You will
see how they will gossip downstairs to-
day. I pray you, Baron Aschen, treat
with contempt all of Count Degenfeld's
remarks; he will not let this affair Of.
Lapotin's pass without wounding usl"
CHAPTER XIV.
The feeling of having secret made
me rather uncomfortable as I went
down to dinner.
Miss Rennert's kind eyes, which smiled
at me from the usual place, were the
only things unchanged, and Mr.. Whites
teeth did their work still in their old.
place at the table d'hote.
In Lapotin's place sat the stout lady
from east Prussia, and next her her
niece, an uncommon1y large, phleg-
matte young lady.
Thereupon followed Count Degenfeld,
who, in spite of the presence of Mrs.
Clifford, could not deny himself the
pleasure of examining this youthful
form.
He seemed in a merry humor, his
new role of grass-widower evidently
pleased him, and he entertained as
usual, the small circle, which always
gathered around Mrs. Clifford, who had
squeezed the English baronet in be-
tween her and me. We did not wish to
have anything to do with one another.
Even the fat boy did not sit next NE;
perhaps as an embryo nihilist, was
considered too dangerousl
In his place sat his mother, and COM
municating across Miss Rennert and
me by means of secret signs with the
stout lady. 1t had the appearance as If
they wished unanimously to annihilate
Miss Rennert and me. Only Mr.. White
was companionable and expressed his
regret that the pretty German lady had
left. "a very charming person, that
Miss Ellen" said he, Every lovely, in
deedl So well-informed, knew. how to
talk so well, and how nicely she spoke
English" And he continued to talk
pleasantly, not noticing that the stout
lady laughed mockingly, the mater
familias shrugged her shoulders as If
she were bored, and that Mrs. Clifford
drew down the corners of her mouth
scornfully.
''But the best thing was her sing
ingl" continued indefatigable Mr..
White. ST have never heard a young
lady sing with such charming express
sion."
"Well, WE'LL" said the quarrelsome
mater familias, ''there are still many
young ladies who are very musical, and
who speak English did not see any
thing very extraordinary about this
Miss Ellen, as you call herl If she has
learned much I do not know, at any
rate she has not learned yet to conduct
herself as q young ladyI"
pFNM NCHTP