The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-01-29

E She paused midway in her question
to look inquiringly at Julia.
"Who?" asked Julia. very Innocent
ly.
The widow turned away eontemptu-
ously, and Julia exulted; for she knew
that she had tripped the widow in a
too eager inquiry, and had caused her
some chagrin.
But the widow was skilIful spider.
From the corner. Of the balcony she
accidentally dropped her handkerchief.
1t futtered down into the area; the
count looked up and saw her. She gazed
after the handkerchief with a pretty
look Of CONSERVATION: and as she
leaned over the balcony, the ends Of
her necktie hung out distinctly,
striped with dainty tricolor.
Julia hated her.
The notes of the whip-poor-will
struck up suddenly quite near, and its
mournful cry startled all. The strang-
Ter shifted his position. With an air
of the utmost solicitude he called a
passing servant, pointed out the hand
kerchief, and sent him to restore it to
its owner AS he looked toward the
balcony the young widow bestowed
grateful smile and a modest bow Of
thanks upon him. The count lifted
his hat with such profound respect and
lease that Julia worshiped him, and
could have torn Mrs. Vance to shreds.
Then he resumed his former attitude,
and smoked his cigarette in silence.
| Again the door opened behind Jul
liza, and Mrs. Clevedale came out upon
the balcony. She advanced quietly,
a sagacious, portly female. an intrigu-
ant.
us that the count Or" she
asked, in her smooth, soft tones. and
paused without finishing the question.
1t must be he, of course; and no one
| took the pains to answer her.
He is handsome" said Mrs. VanSe.
This remark broke the ice. They AL
turned toward one another. and a
beautiful harmony united them as they
discussed the count.
$50 distingue!" murmured Miss
Clevedale.
"a gentleman of great experience"
said Mrs. Vance. What a splendid
forehead! Not every woman can at
tract him"
And she smoothed her tricolored
necktie complacently and looked hard
at the girls.
Rather sunburnt. it seems to me, T"
remarked Miss Chauncey, with Affect
ed indifference.
"A very lordly air." said Julia.
"Oh, yes. He would make a tyran.
nical husband responded Miss Cleve-
dale, quietly; 81 advise no young per-
son to marry him"
A lady appeared on the porch below
"a short and stumpy woman.
THAT is Mrs. Peters, who came here
yesterday" observed Miss Chauncey.
4 F'They say her husband will be here
soon. How brazen to go into tea SO
early and attract the counts atten-
toni"
Miss Chauncey put her hand mp to
the ieur-de-lis and adjusted it spite
fully.
The count did not see Mrs. Peters
His eyes we're fixed in lofty study on
the parterre; he smoked thoughtfully
with naughty air.
Mrs. Peters touched him on the
shoulder. The four ladies in the
balcony gasped at her audacity.s Count
la Rammont instantly dropped The
cigarette. His look of authority and
independence vanished. His proud
carriage dissolved. into meekness, He
took on his hat and smoothed his hail
with a docile hand. Mrs. Peters took
his arm and he went into supper with
her, subdued and humble. s .7as
Four noses in the balcony turned
skyward; four signs of contempt
breathed toward the stars. and Mrs
Vance exclaimed, bitterly: a-E q
"Pshaw! Mr.. Peters-nothing but g
married man. after ALI"
4 simultaneously Mr.. Chauncey's voice
as he came through the door to joiI
them announced that the real count
had left by a private conveyance hall
an hour before. sH a