Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-01-18

"Who is Baron Kurz?" asked Mrs.
Waldo. IT am perpetually hearing Of
him. German, of course?"
"Only partly so," replied Mr.. Ven
ming "He is the son of Scotchman,
who made good deal Of money in Cali
fornia, and I believe his mother was
Pole. He was brought up by a German
grandfather, whose name he eventually
took He is a clever fellow, but an un
happy one, 1 always fancy. She was a
Miss Charcote, a daughter of Lady
Jane Charcotc.
"But who was the other lady in the
box"-I inquired eagerly-"the lady
with the primulas?"
"There was no other lady in Kurz' s
box tonight, Miss Linthrop. You must
have been looking at some other box
Mrs. Waldo laughed. my young
friend has been dreaming, Mr.. Ven
ning''
scorned the imputation, but they
would not believe me, and they were
still laughing when the door opened and
old Lord Saintsbury peeped in.
Every merry here"
my friend Miss Linthrop declares
that she has seen lady with primulas
in her hair-such a terrible decoration
seated in Baron Kurz's box this even
ing,' said Mrs. Waldo in her loud,
clear, penetrating voice, that carried
farther than any voice Ihave ever heard.
l noticed shade fit across Lord
Saintsbury's face. He turned his head
sharply and glanced back. Then, step
ping quickly into the box, he shut the
door behind him.
"Why so mysterious?" asked Mrs.
Waldo, smiling.
'Kurz was just behind me. He must
have heard what You said" And the old
gentleman looked genuinely distressed.
'But why not? We were only laugh
ing at my young friend here. Are you
going, Mr. Venning?'
l began to be afraid that had made
a goose of myself And Lord Saintsbury
was looking SO solemn. Perhaps that
was because he was in the ministry
"Mrs. Waldo" he began, as soon as
Mr.. Venning had disappeared, "don't
repeat that little story about-the-the
lady with the primulas. IT,
"My dear Lord Saintsbury, why
mayn't I? 1 love little anecdote, and
this is such thrilling one. -
"But you would not like to cause
pain, am sure"
"And you think Miss Linthrop so very
thin skinned that sho cannot take lit
tie chaG?''
1t is not on her account that am
speaking. You may or may not have
heard that Miss Charcote was not
Kurz's first wife. No? Well, she was
not. His first wife was a girl of the peo-
ple-some said nursemaid, some a
peasant. 1t really doesn It signify VIII ich.
At all events, she was neither lady by
birth nor person of education. After a
time he grew tired of her. His father
died, and he came into money. He be-
gan to go in for society. He met Miss
Charcote. One night-it was at the
Grand Opera in Paris-she was seated
for some time in Lady Jane Charcote's
box. His vito was alone i'll the logo op-
posite. What she saw or thought don t
know, bat when he returned to her she
complained of feeling very tired, and he
suggested that they should go home.
She tainted on the staircase and was
carried into'their brougham. That same
night she died. 1t was very sudden and
rather mysterious.
coed gracious! Did any one suspect
tho baron CT having poisoned his wife?"
"Not that l know of. But they did
say that his neglect had broken her
heart But to come to the point of my
story. The first baroness Kurz-Rosine
was fair, blue eyed woman, with a
passion for primulas. In Paris, where
known by sight, and by many people
was not supposed to be Kurz's wife, she
always went by the name of the lady
with the primulas. That is why 1 was
startled and upset by what You told me-
That was why l was distressed that the
flower should have been mentioned in
KurZ's hearing-for hear am sure he
did"
1t was my turn to feel distressed
distressed, but at the same time wildly
Interested Twas just going to ask Lord
Saintsbury whether he had ever known
Rosine personally, when MI Venning
reappeared, and at the same moment
noticed that while we had been discuss
ing the first Baroness Kurz her successor
had disappeared from the opposite box
had left the house probably, thought,
bored by the dullness of act /.
"Such an awful thing has happened 7"
Mr.. Venning's face was pale, and his
voice sounded low and hoarse. "Kurz
has fallen down dead, just outside the
omnibus box.
"Good gracious, how dreadful! But
very likely he has only tainted"
Mr.. Venning shook his head. "Cleve-
land met him looking ghastly-you
know he does sometimes. And he asked
him, Are you i'll, Kurz:' And the 9th
er just stared at him and muttered !:
True, true! She has come for me-, and
fell back dead.
started to my feet. Mrs. Waldo.
must go home Please let me- Don't
you come, but
my dear child" and her voice
sounded ii shade harder and louder than
usual, don't make IL scene, please Z"
Our visitors had vanished at the hare
mention Of such il possibility, ever
dreaded and held in adherence by the
sterner sex.
But cannot stay. Didn't you hear?
Ho is dead. :"
Mrs. Waldo stared at me with look
of deriSion on her handsome stony face.