Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-09

cldnEeS. 4ndI SlLup1S SOuB AOVcu ulIu greatly; he is i'll, ill in mind and body; but he tries with all his might to con- ceal both troubles. So tonight you must not seek him out, but tomorrow. For my sake go to Monte Carlo; you have never been there, and it will keep him from thinking of himself and his past"
 Willingly I gave the desired promise, and, with friendly shake of the hand, the old lady left me.
 do not know how long I sat by the fireside dreaming, but all at once heard loud talking and laughing and the rustling of skirts.
 Mrs. Clifford entered on Count Degen- fields arm, followed by her husband, the German professor, and a couple of old Frenchmen, also staying at Hotel Suisse.
 They were all in good spirits, and the clergyman seemed to be proud of his wife's courtly admirer.
 ''No, good folks," said the rather harsh voice of the count, ''we cannot possibly retire so early. The eyes of madame do not show that she is fa- tigued; the air was so chilly, that or dered Louis to bring us hot punch"
 While speaking, he relieved the lady of her warm wraps, led her to the cozi- est corner, brought her a sofa-cushion, then a footstool, in short busied him. self altogether with her. She looked truly bewitching. The delicate, white cloud still rested on her dark hair, and made a frame for her lovely face. Her eyes were feverishly bright, and her laugh, her conversation had something unnaturally merry about them.
 Count Degenfeld and she spoke French continually, although the count could speak English well.
 In spite of the in part whispered con- versation, he knew how to enliven and entertain the rest of the company, so obliged to laugh heartily, while the clergyman seemed to smile more out of compliment to the speaker than any thing else.
 As the little circle around the table grew merrier over the hot punch and Count Degenfeld's eyes grew brighter I arose and passed by the table with a bow, going towards the door.
 The count looked up and cried with well-simulated surprise: "Why, baron, you here? Why in the world did you not join us? May offer you this glass of punch? It shall be to the ladies' of course; only the young and pretty ones," he added.
 ''No, count" said I playfu1ly as I took the glass and leaned lightly on the back of the proffered chair, "that limitation I cannot allow. I have just passed such pleasant hour with charming old lady that I should be faithless knight did not drink the toast otherwise than in it's proposed form-'The Ladiesr" with which I emptied my glass with an inclination towards Mrs. Clifford.
 She was trifle pale. Her eyes looked at me with a peculiar expression as she quietly pledged me.
 Count Degenfeld laughed constrained ly and said moclSingly: "So you dedi- cated your evening to Miss Rennert, for she is certainly the charming old lady, Was it tete tete?"
 "Oh! mo-" I answered; "Mr. Lepotin and l had a great treat. Miss Ellen sang for us in the salon."
 ''How improper!'' exclaimed the count. "Her friendship with that old person has long been distasteful to me. How could she allow the child to sing for anyone-for young men, tool"
 The blood rushed hotly to my face. drew myself up to my full height
 ''Count, gan absolutely not under stand your vcxatfUn- So fay az knew, Miss Rennert is not answerable for Miss Ellen, but rather your estimable wife, who was herself present"
 My wife in the salon? So, so," said the count, rather disconcerted, that is another thing, of course. I beg your pardon for tlaring up so, but you under stand, that I must guard the child, who has been intrustcd to my care."
 I bowed, spoke few words to the other gentlemen, and bade them good night.
 On ascending the stairs, caught