Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1892-03-22
AT THE LAST MOMENT.
By HonAr1o ALaER, in.

1
Miss Simpson was the mistress OF q
small, neat cottage, and some three
or four thousand dollars in bank
stock which, with her economical
habits, made her quite lady of for
tune in the small village where she
lived.
| 1t might have been weakness, but
it was an excusable one, that after
practfcing economy for eleven months
and three weeks of every year, Miss
Simpson was accustomed to afford
herself each year week ut Saratoga,
| where for seven days living at an eX-
pensive hotel she almost persuaded
herself that she was really a lady Of
wealth.
! But she never protracted her stay.
At the end OF the week she always
withdrew from the scene of gayety
and dissipation, and wended her
homeward way to Higginsville, when
her weeks sojourn at Saratoga gave
her something to think of and talk
about, for the rest of the year.
| On one OF her annual pilgrimaGes to
Saratoga. Miss Simpson made the ac-
| quaintance of a tall, dlgnified- looking
man, whose light-colored hair was
suffered to wave carelessly over his
brow. He took the trouble to devote
himself to the middle-aged spinster
in n way to which she had never been
accustomed. For the fact that Miss
Simpson remained 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 elderly old maid,
but the fates had not been propitious.
Therefore, when Mr.. Heilbrun, for SO
he announced himself, began to be
attentive, she felt pleased and showed
it, and began to dream that he might
have serious intentions.
At length, all too soon, the week
came to an end. She had never re-
| gretted it so much. She even began
to wonder whether she could notman-
age to stay another week, but pru-
dence forbade her doing so on an un-
certainty. II, indeed, she were only
sure of proposal from the graceful
foreigner; but that was very doubtful
So she announced to Mr.. Heilbrun
that tomorrow they must part
"Oh! say not so, my dear Miss
Simpson," he exclaimed with fervor.
You must not be so cruelp'
But" said Miss Simpson, casting
down her eyes, 81 didn't intend to re-
main more than one week"
Then can you not change your
plan?"
ST don't think 1 can. My arrange
ments are all made to return homo to-
morrow"
Saratoga will be desolate for me,
my dear Miss Simpson, when you are
gone. 1 shall be quite desolate."
tEVnY,. ,f,yi io1y T.
am sure" said Miss Simpson, sim
pering.
Say not SO, my dear Miss simp-
son; you have made a profound i'm
preston upon my too susceptible
heart. Say that you will be sorry to
leave Saratoga for my sake -
He clasped his hands together, and
Miss Simpson considerable huttered
replied:
don't mind confessing that am
more sorry to leave Saratoga than
usual"
"My dear Miss Simpson, be not
angry with me if L ask you one little
question:"
81 would not think of being angry
with you. Mr.. Heilbrun."
Then you could bring yourself to
love an unfortunate exile, who had
been buffeted by the winds of adverse
fortune for many years?"
dont't know but 1 might" said
Miss Simpson, lowering her eyes,
"but it is so sudden, Mr.. HeiIbrun." +"
But You go away tomorrow, and
I must speak now"
don't know but I might manage
to stay little longer; but 1 don't
| know much about you"
Then let me tell you my sad story,
my dear Miss Simpson. Can you lis
ten without weariness?"
should like very much to hear
it, Mr.. Heilbrun."
Then, Miss Simpson, let me tell
you to begin with, that I am OF a
noble, Hungarian family. You call
me Mr.. Heilbrun; but I am really
Count Won Heilbrun. You start, but.
yet, he who offers you his hand has it
In his power to make you countess" )"
Miss Simpson listened with de-
| light. 1t would, indeed, have been
worth while waiting so long il she
could be raised to the rank of coun-
tess, and so excite the mingled envy
and admiration of all her acquain-
tances.
| Miss Simpson, though a good heart
ed woman, was not above hum an
| weaknesses.
yes" proceeded the count, 81 be-
long to one of the nobIest Hungarian
families; but and my brother took
! part in the revolution, of which you
have doubtless heard?''
Yes" said Miss Simpson; though
to tell the truth, she could not have
told whether Hungary was in Asia OF
Europe, and would not have dared to
contradict any one who should assert
| it was in Africa.
II need not say, then. that we
failed, and 1 was compelled by the
proud tyrants to leave the country.
Since then, have lived England, in
/ America, where have not lived2
Feeling the pangs of a heart-siek
exile, never meeting q sympathizing
heart until met you, my dear Miss
Simpson. whom hope soon to make
1 Countess Won Heilbrun."
What charming mani" thought
Miss Simpson, and how poetically
he talks .
need not say that I am poor, /"
| proceeded the count, and I should
not venture to offer you the hand of
penniless exile, but that 1 have in