The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-27
A WINTER AT NICE.
by Z. Won oSTEE
TRANSLATED From TIVE GERMAN ~ Hr1E { MILLER
Copyright. 1891. by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper Co.
CHAPTER u.-coSTISUEp.


Was he perhaps man from the So
called best circles, with his young,
coauettish wife? II great ladies so
often rescmbled coqrcttcs, why could
not French marquis per sang look
like an advcnturer of the lowest order?
My surmises on this subject became
almost certainty when upon paying
call at our German representative
worthy Herr Y. Rs, saw through
a door. slightly ajar. the consul in
earnest conversation with him Of the
dark-blue spectacles.
The door was finally closed, and some
minutes later the consul received me in
his drawing-room. introduced me to his
wife, an Englishwoman, and gave me
cordial invitation to his house.
At dinner | again met the Russian.
His name was Lapotin-Sergius La
potin. lie looked pale, greeted me
pleasantly, but seemed rather absent.
His old friend looked him sidelong in a
troubled manner.
Between my pretty neighbor and me
a little secret understanding had been
established. She would drop her fan.
which |, Of course, picked up and
handed to her, at which her hand, with
awhispered THANK you. sir." touched
mine. and the sillSen lashes dropped on
her blushing checks.
1t was pretty; SO pretty that would
gladly have done the same again.
made another attempt with Parmesan
cheese for the macaroni, and salad
with the roast, always succeeding a
merveille; only her blush deepened and
a slight smile quivered about her full
lips.
This time as she rose, and shot a
glance at me from the door could not
resist the temptation of following her
into the drawing-room.
She was seated in rocking chair,
half hidden by jardiniere. a paper in
her hand. The clergyman was placing
the pieces for game Of chess with the
German professor.
The long lashes were lowered,
though was positive the lady had seen
me. The rocking chair was moving
slowly back and forth and afforded me
glimpse of two dainty little feet in
open-work silk stockings and satin
slippers.
Seated on a low stool by the fireplace,
looked towards her over my book.
watching for mark of favor.
There was terrible din at the piano.
This time ! was not scared away by it;
only as the room began to fill it was
natural that | should move my chair
into the quieter corner, near the
jardiniere.
The overture to midsummer Night s
Dream" was ringing out, when my ears
heard a slight rustling and my eyes
perceived the useful fan, which had
slipped from the beauty's hand. AS she
could not be a second without it,
handed it to her half kneeling and
whispering softly: "Madame!''
She started.
''Ah! sir, you are very kind! am so
awkward. What will you think of
me?''
And her eyes, which had strange,
shimmering brilliance, looked for mo-
ment into mine.
seated myself quite near her. On
account of the music we could only
whisper.
Madame is not English?" asked in
French.
''Why not?" said she, with bewitch-
ingly roguish smile.
Because the English ladies that
have known are quite different; they
are not so, not So"
Clumsy as l. you wished to say, did
you not?" asked she, superciliously, but
lowering her lashes under my gaze.
'Still, sir, l am her gracious majesty,
Queen Victorias, most loyal little sub
ject; in order to solve the riddle at once
for you, will tell you that am Irish