Catoctin clarion., 1892-05-19
MechaDnstown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday May 49, 1897
At Tho LAST MOMENT.
By nORAT1O ALGER, JR.

which, with her economic habits, mad'
her quite lady of fortune in the small
village where she lived.
1t might have been weakness, bu
it was an rxcusable one, that after prac
ticing economy for eleven months an(
three weeks of every year, Miss S'mp
son was accustomed to afford hersel
each year week at Saratoga, where fol
seven days living at an expensive hote
she almost persuaded herself that sht
was really a lady of wealth.
But she never protracted her stay
At the end Of the week she always with
drew from the scene Of gayety and dis
sipation. and wended her way home
ward toward Higgiusville. when bel
week $ sci urn gave her something to
think of aud talk about the rest of the
year.
On one of her annual piIgrirnages te
Saratoga, Miss Simpson made the ac-
quaintance of a tall, digni6ed looking
man, whose light. colored hair was suf
fered to wave careessly y over his brow
He took the trouble to devote himself
to the middle aged spiuster in a way
to which she had never been accustom,
ed. For the fact that Miss Simpson re.
ma.ned unmarried was hardly from
choice. She had often thought that she
would prefer to be Mrs. Smith or Jones
or any other name rather than an old
maid, but the tates had not been propi.
tious. Therefore, when Mr.. Heilbrun,
for be 80 announced himself, began to be
attentive, she felt pleased and showed
1t, and began TO dream that he might
have serious Intentions.
At length, all too soon, the week
came to an end. She had never regret
ted it so much. She even began to
wonder whether she couldn't manage
to stay ano,he week, but prudence for
bade her doing so on an uncertainty.
If, indeed she VAS only sure Of pro-
posal from the graceful foreigner; bnt
that was very doubtful. So she an
nounced to Mr.. lIeilbrun that to NOR
row they must part.
oh say not 30, my dear Miss Simp-
son 7 he exclaimed with ftrvor. You
must not be so cruel
But, said Miss Simpson casting down
her eyes, 4 didn't intend to remain
more than one week
Then can you not change your plan:
1 don't think | can. My arrange
ments are all made to return home to-
morrow.
Saratoga will be desolate for me. my
dear Miss Simpson, when you are gone.
l shall be quite desolate.
You are only joking. Mr.. Hellbrun,
am sure, said Miss Simpson slmper,
ing.
Say not so. Miss Simpson ; you have
made profound impression upon my
too susceptible heart. Say that you
will be sorry to leave Saratoga for my
sake
I don't mind confessing that l am
more sorry to leave Saratoga than usu.
al
MY dear Miss Simpson, be not angry
with me if I ask you one little question?
L would not think of being angry
with you, Mr.. Heilbrnn.'
Then you could bring yourself to
love an unfortunate exile, who had been
butfeted by the winds of adverse fol-
tune for many years?'
I don't know, but I might p said
Miss Simpson, lowering her eyes, but
it is so sudden, Mr.. Heilbrur.'
But you 60 away tomorrow and !
must speak now
4 don't know, but l might manage
to stay little longer but don't know
much about you.'
Then let me tell you my sad story,
my dear Miss Simpson. Can you listen
without weariness p
4 should like very much to hear it
Mr.. Heilhrul.'
Then, Miss Simpson, let me tell you
to begin with, that l am of noble
Hungarian family. You call me Mr.
Heilbrun, but l am really Count Vol
Hcilbrun. You start, but, yet, he who
offers you his hand has 1t in his power
to make you countess
Miss Simpson. listened with delight
1t would, indeed have been worth while
waiting 50 long if she could be raisec
20 the rank of countess, and So excite
the mingled envy and admiration o.
all her. acquaintances.
Miss Simpson. though good hearted
woman, was not above human weakness
eS.
YES, proceeded the count. I belon!
to one of the noblest Hungarian FAM