Connecticut western news., 1891-11-26
A NONCONDUCTOR.

They had told me that she was soul less creature, frivolous and light; that the sole preoccupation, the one aim of her life was pleasure. In fact 1 had made her acquaintance at ball, sur rounded by an infinite variety of ador- CTS, smiling, disdainful, allowing herself to be worshiped, completely indifferent. Naturally, after turn of the waltz, in which she floated, 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! 1 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 accompanied by a slight bending of the head.
 confess that 1 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; I almost fifty, although 1 tried not to show them.
 Yet I could not resist, and soon after my hand pushed open the door of box No. 4.
 ''Finally!" exclaimed the countess. "You really leave people to wish for your company"
 "Signora," replied, ''you are pleased to hatter me"
 "I never flatter my friends, and re- gard you as one of them. It is so long that we have known each other."
 So long! It was not even a month; not knowing what to reply, silently assent ed with a smile. She did not appear satisfied with my manner, and bursting into one of her gay laughs, she said:
 "But do not you remember? At Venice, on the Lido, I came with my cousin, Signora Lini, and you with Giorgio Ri golf; have you forgotten us? 1 am sorry, because wished this evening, recalling those memories, that you should pay little court to mer'
 Decidedly. She was coquette, an imbecile. But as a gallant squire of danes, was to remain defeated?
 ''Countessi" exclaimed, ''if 1 were to take your words seriously, be warned that you would have assumed terrible responsibility.
 II am not afraid; 1 believe that my signature is still negotiable"
 "Take care countess, you are always playing with dangers; are you sure of conquering them?"
 eff there were no obstacles victory would have no value."
 "Well, you always succeed"
 Certainly. When set about an un- dertaking I 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, l would sacrifice myself"
 "For pity's sake, do not let us go into the usual commonplace phrases of soci- ety; like eccentricity, do you knowl l 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- ous man, skeptical, almost a philosopher! To care for an atom! That would be an antithesis!"
 She was laughing at me. rose to take leave.
 'Wait moment, I beg of you. have something to ask you," and her voice trembled slightly.
 'Countess, am at your ordersl"
 ''Are you friend to me-a friend in the true sense of the word?'
 ''I hope sor' I replied.
 "Well, tell me, away there in Africa, is Giorgio happy?"
 "What! You still remember him; but, your marriagey''
 ssWas imposed upon me-" she added excitedly. "But do not let us speak of that! It is of him that wish for news, I 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 it.
 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 himI'
 "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 flies there?'' And she fixed her great eyes, with jealous anxiety, upon my face.
 "Many. I should not be surprised indeed, to hear some day that Giorgio would settle permanently in Africa, making himself a home of his own there."
 was silent Some people came into the box. withdrew to the back of it. The countess had become very pale, tears were trembling in her eyes. With a resolute gesture, as if in answer to an in ward question, she turned her dark head toward the parquette. When she turned it toward me again, her face was serene, | the usual smile curved her lips.
 "Then goodby, signor," she said to | me ironically, "or rather, au revoir, for hope, despite the total difference of our artistic opinions, that you will remain 8 | friend to me-"
 And extending her hand: '1 receive every Friday evening" I nope to see you 1 there"
 I bowed and went out slowly, while | she, playfully and with extreme volubil-