Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-15


"See herel" cried the professor, cur
iously examining the ornament, ga
tongued serpent with blue eyesi Is
that symbolic Mrs. Clifford colored,
and threw down the costly bracelet
carelessly. Count Degenfeld stepped
up, and looked at it closely; it seemed
to me as if he whispered something to
her, but / did not notice the pair fur
Their. Ny gaze rested on Ellen, who
with the help of different children's
hands, had Just opened her package
eagerly; and now was holding thought
fully in her hand !the to me well-known
enamel eye.
She stepped up to her aunt, seatep
next Miss Rennert on the sofa: "Only
see, aunt, how lovely and how oddi
Should it be worn around the necl?"
''In my YOUTH" said a corpulent lady
from east Prussia, ''such an ornament
was worn fastened over the forehead by
a small chain; it was called: Think of
me-"
"Well, would rather wear it around
my neck" said Ellen, smiling; and
kneeling down gracefully she allowed
the countess to fasten the chain.
''It looks very beautiful" said the
stout lady, "but on the forehead it looks
very well, too, you may believe me-"
The little ones nudged one another
and laughed. They could picture to
themselves the old, fat lady as looking
very droll; and yet there was one
Christmas when she stood under the
tree rosy and beaming, and loving
glances rested on her as they now do
pm Ellen and the delicate English
woman.
In the meantime numerous packages
had been opened amid laughter and
'fnirth.
Count Degenfeld had received large
bottle containing Eau de Cologne; Miss
Rennert q lovely, little homeopathic
medicine chest.
One of the neat little English girls
came and gave me, with a curtsey, pack
age addressed to me which had rolled I'M
der table. opened it, astonished, and
foundan antique, very finely wrought,
wide ring, which was so small for me
that could scarcely get it on my little
finger.
''Ahl Baron Aschenl' said the pro-
fessor, whose long, pointed nose was
everywhere to-day, 'tyou must certainly
give that wonderfully beautiful ring to
your future wife as an engagement
ring it is without doubt talisman."
"You are right" said I, and looking
over at Ellen our eyes met. She blushed
wildly.
At that moment the countess called
out to her something that did not
hear, and saw her slender form hurry
through the hall and disappear.
approached the ladies.
'tOhI how tiresomer' I heard the
countess say. "I sent that poor child for
my handkerchief, and here it is behind
me on the sofa-how she will hunt for
It"
81 am just on my way to Lapotin, >"
said 1, perhaps can inform Miss
Enen?''
ooh, yes, baron, please do sol' 1
could hear the countess saying, when I
was on the way.
The doors of the countess salon were
ajar. entered; the room was dark, the
second one also, but in the third was
bright lamplight, and through the.open
portiere, saw Count Degenfeld stand
ing, one arm thrown around Ellen's
shoulders, while he raised up her little
head with his left hand.
"Well, little mouse, what brings you
here? How warm you are; you have
walked too quickly. 1 can feel your lit
tie heart beat" and he held her tighter.
Ellen's voice sounded 1abored, as she
told him about her aunt's handkerchief.
"Ahl don't speak of aunt, she can
wait; she has you always, and I only
seldom. You have not even once
thanked me for the watch with which
presented you to-day! Is it not worth
at least kiss, you neat little witchi
No, not your cheek, little fool, YOU
mouth, your sweet, little mouth, would
kiss, my little rosebudI' He drew the
trembling form violently towards him
and rained glowing kisses upon hel
face.
heard the counts last words while
standing under the portiere without his
seeing me.
Count" cried I, in voice trembling
with excitement. With q muttereC
oath he drew back, and Ellen, freed
from his encircling arms, put her hand:
before her face and rushed away.
With very red face, and in an icy
tone, Count Degenfeld asked:
"AhI baron! to what do 1 owe the
pleasure of visit from you at such al
unusual hour, in my private rooms9"
"Your wife sent me after Miss Ellen
as her handkerchief had been found,
said I.
"Ahl the handkerchief, yes, Elle1
spoke of it, too. think it very strang'
In my wife to send young man aftel
my niece so sans faconl'
'The countess need not fear that an,
insult would be offered to such young
lady as Miss Ellen"
"What do you mean by that signifi
&. can't tone, my young friend?" inter
rupted the count, smiling. "You seen
to forget that Ellen is my niece-can
not an uncle kiss his little niece, es
specially on Xmas eve, when he ha
given her such nice presentsl The stub
born little mink did not wish to Civ
me a kiss, and therefore took one
sr-l,inl, n nltacrotln1. in