Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-09
A WINTER AT NICE,
By IIE1TIE F. MILL R.

In the corridor we met his young rela- tive coming from the countess room. She tried tohurry 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 1t seemed to mo, who saw the expression of his face, as if an ugly caterpillar were to creep over delicate white lily.
 "A pretty child, is she not?" asked the count, looking after the youthful form, which hurried gracefully on. ''One good thing in the suffering condi- tion of my wife is, that she cannot do without the girl, so one always has something pretty in the house."
 'I believe the young lady is a niece of yours, count?" said I, gravcly.
 "Well, yes; a far-removed niece. Daughter of second cousin. am not in the least fatherly."
 "So much the worse," thought l, and took my leave.
 Count Degenfeld was not at dinner. In his place sat Miss Ellen, as had heard her called. On that account I could easily see her, whereas formerly the large vase had hidden her from me. She was truly bewitchingly fresh and youthful, and was more strikingly so next the faded, yellow face of the countess. She was quite unabashed and natural. She had playful dispute with the German professor about a 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 bor. 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, at last. l thought of my conversation with the count, and said, coolly:
 Do you mean Miss Ellen? I think she can be called neither little, forward nor lean"
 Indeed? And how would you de- scribe this Miss Ellen?"
 II think, as 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. 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. might strive all would, beneath the magic of those eyes was powerless. And, although felt that was on dan gerous ground, forgot the rest of the company in a conversation carried on in an undertone.
 Shortly before rising from the table Mrs Clifford said:
 "Rubinstein gives 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?"
 ''I am sorry, but I have an engage ment with Count Degenfeld for to- night"
 She bit her full underip "Adieu, then, until tomorrow"
 As I was descending the stairs, pre- pairing to go out, met Lapotin.
 Are you going to party?" he asked, pointing to my dress.
 'Count Degenfeld wishes to intro duce me at the club"
 He nodded as much as to say, l thought so.
 "Ah!" he remarked, playfully; ''you are pitching in, ,baron-ycsterday in the drawing-room, and to-day-well, have no right to prevent, scarcely to warn, you; but only one requcst-kccp your eyes open; all is not gold that glittcrs. If you wish to gamble, go rather to Monte Carlo; there one can at least leave off when one wishes to!'