The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-09-18
THE FRENCH COUNT .
(By E. Francis Atwood.)

towns In the Empire state. Ezra Alien
was one Of the leading citizens and re-
puted to be the richest man in the coun-
ty, and he was the father of an only
daughter of twenty summers, beautiful
and good as we'll, as many poor family
could testify, beloved by the town in
general, and Arthur Lake in particular.
Arthur Lake was a young mechanic,
owning large share in the Allendale
machine shops, and had risen by his own
efforts to the position Of superintendent
of the works. He was well liked by the
men and popular with the towns people,
and no great surprise was evinced when
it was announced that Vida Allen and
Arthur Lake were engaged, though more
than one less fortunate young man en-
We'd the winner Of the heiress of Allen
dale. Arthur Lake was young man Of
sterling qualities, but old Ezra Allen de-
cided that Lake must have home very
nearly if not quite equal to the one he
was to take his daughter from, and as
Vida was very dutiful daughter, they
were forced to wait Arthur was, at this
time, perfecting an invention which, if
successful, would place him in the de-
sired position.
This was the way. matters stood when
Paul, Count D'Auvergne, appeared on the
scene. Arthur instinctively took dis
like to the oily-tongued Frenchman, but
as he presented letters Of introduction
which satisfied even eccentric Ezra AL
len, his position in the village was un
assailable. Arthur was very busy with
his new invention, and seldom went to
any Of the parties picnics or balls, and
though Vida did not like it very we'll,
she said nothing. When D'Auvergne
asked for the pleasure of her company
to one of Allendaye's social gatherings
she went readily enough, not thinking
that any trouble might come Of it. Still
Count Paul had his own ideas, and soon
gained the ascendency over the unsophis-
ticated girl, with his seemingly perfect
manners, smooth tongue, good looks and
fascinating ways. Matters went on in
this way until one day when Vida was
driving out with the Count, they passed
Arthur and neither recognized him, and
Arthur felt hurt, though the slight was
unintentional on Vidas part, for she did
not see him. 1t slowly dawned on Ar
thurs mind that Vida and the Count
were together great deal, and then sew
eral times lately, when he had called he
did not find her at home. He determ-
ined to get at the root of the trouble, and
called that evening for the purpose
Ezra Allen did not seem to him to be
quite as friendly as usual, and when Vida
came down she was dressed for party,
and seemed in a hurry, but he detained
her few minutes.
vida, dear, why is 1t do SO seldom
find you at home when I CALI" he
asked tenderly.
Because you can SO seldom give me
the pleasure Of your company, and
cannot stay at home constantly to please
even you" she returned, very unlike the
warm hearted girl she really was.
But, dear, you seem to 60 more than
ever before, and nearly always with this
foreign adventurer, whom you know
dislike"
Arthur, if you really cared for me,
really loved me, you would be more ready
to give me more of your valuable time
and you would have no reason to COM
plain Of Count PauPs attentions she
replied.
Vida, you know I am very busy with
my new invention, which is sure to make
me a rich man, and every moment I
spend away from you now only hastens
the time when I can be always with you.
My darling, for my sake will you not
give up allowing this smooth-tongued
scamp to escort you, drive out with you,
and call on you? feel sure he is ras-
cal in disguise, and, Vida, dear, you will
do this to please me?"
Arthur Lake, why should you set up
your judgment above papa's? He has
decided that Count D'Auvergne is an
honorable, respectable man, and you
have no right to gainsay it, l will go
with whom l please, and as you consider
you have right to dictate to me in such
matters, must respectfully decline any
| further attentions from you. return
you your ring, and you will apologize to
| me for this unwarrantable interference
before l will ever wear it again." and she
| swept angrily from the room.
Arthur let the ring fall idly to the floor
| then turned and slowly left the house
| He felt stunned, angry and hurt. What
had come bver Vida? He could not uu-
derstand it. Apologize? Not he; size
should apologize for sending him away
| in this capricious manner.
In three days Arthur Lake had sold his
interest in the machine shops and was
! in Buffalo, and no one except his aged
mother knew where he was.
Count Paul proposed to Vida the day
after his departure and Vida, piqued thai
Arthur should have accepted his dismis
sal so easily, accepted him. He placed
on her finger a beautiful cluster of dia
| monds and took from her fine solitaire
ito remember her by" he said. Ere
| Allen welcomed his rich son-in-law thai
| was to be, and asked him into his private
| study.
Here, Paul, is my daughters marriage
portion, one hundreds thousand dollars
and when I am gone there will be NJ
more, except this dwelling house in AL
| lendale, as my income depends on larg,
amount of property of which I only re
tain a life lease. When my daughter il
safely married, 1 shall travel, and m.
income will be devoted to scientific pur
suits, charities and expenses"
MIR. Allen, your daughter, though sh
were penniless, is prize would Civ
my ancient title and all my wealth t,
| lStui HSu tAC OOuuL,
Il must go to New York city tomorrow
on business; is there any commission
can execute for your
''If you would be SO kind Here is
check for two thousand dollars on tn
American National, which you may draw
and pay to Vesey & Archer, and also al
order for my famous timekeeper at Tiff
fany's. I must caution you to handl
the watch tenderly, as it Is very valuable
to me. and it could not be replaced" MI