The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-03-23

| Emie's own age, who was a favorita
believe, of the old Counts l remem'
Der him well, so handsome, active and
daring Indeed, always preferred him
| for playfellow to Emile-many a how.
| ish favor did he bestow upon me. For
some reason, l never knew, Emile al.
ways hated him, and lost no opportu.
nifty of insulting and tormenting him.
and once because Hugo put his arm
around me to lift me from a swing
Emile struck him in the face, with
some taunt / did not comprehend. But
/ saw the fire flash from Hugos eyes
and fearing a struggle would ensue I
screamed for help. The old Count
heard me, and came hurrying to the
garden where we were at play He was
just in time to see Emile leap like a
tiger upon the peasant and plunge his
pccketknife to the hilt in his breast
oh, how terrified l grew; and the Count
seemed as alarmed 'Wretched boysr
said he, this must not continuer |
still recall my indignation that his re-
proaches were directed more to Hugo
than TO Emile. However, Hugo van
ished from that time and / have al
ways associated Count Emile with his
disappearance-tha | believe is the
original cause of my GOODNESS to the
Count"
Demands face was turned away from
her, and it was a husky voice that
said
Truly then it is not an undeserved
retaliation that Hugo's wrongs should
be the means of debarring Count En-
lie from his dearest hopes. Did you
say you liked this Hugo?"
Liked him. repeated Violante in.
differently-'yes, we'll enough; he was
peasant, you know"
"Ahw said he, answering her ques.
tioning look, "perchance you have
thrust your spear into sore place. /.
too, may be a peasant
"You-no indeed, | will stake any
thing upon it, was her earnest reply
take care" said he dejectedly, but
truly | will own your words panied
me. Why, if Hugo was good, and nobly
bred by natures largeness of heart and
intellect, should you speak so slight
ingly of him as a peasant? Nay, far
Their yet, why should he not be more
worthy Of your heart, your hand even
than the miserable, treacherous Count
Emile? Oh, Lady Violante, Lady Vic;
lante, heaven sends out it's nobility I'M
titled, and free from estate or rent roll
Aye, and this seething, boiling trou
bled land, is tending toward a worthiel
recognition Of its peasant Hugos, wher'
ever they may be. The coarse blouse
hides hearts as true and warm nay,
thousand fold more worthy, than beat
beneath the broidered vestments that
glisten in the court levees of thai
heartless Austrian Queen, who has nc
thought OF the wrongs and Impressions
of grooming France"'
Lady Violante heard him as If in
dream. Perhaps you are right" said
she, sorrowfully. II have often grievet
over the hopeless fate that seemed
thrust upon one-half of the land, while
the other half received and enjoyed al
its honors and pleasures. But today
my own griefs press too heavily to al
low much thought for others. My faith
er is very angry with me. I can only
appease him by wronging my own con
science-and then again his insinua
tons, so cruel and sarcastic, they burn
my ears even yet"
What insinuations demanded Der.
nard with vehemence.
She dropped her eyes, and the color
on her cheeks mounted even 10 her
forehead. He watched her silently a
moment, and then Surst forth vehe-
mently-
81 see, see. My lord, the Count, is
tired OF his guest, He would withhold
from me the light of your presence. All,
ma, do you doubt whence comes the
suggestion? it is like the bastard jeal-
ousy Of Count Emile. Take my word
for it, Lady Violante, it was he who
prompted your fathers words"
Vioante was weeping bitterly.
He approached her, and stood look
ing down upon her bowed head and
fearful face, with stern self-control.
When suddenly reaching down to lay
his trembling hand upon hers, he whis
pered-
Did he say you were learning to
love me?"
Closer still the head was bowed upon
the fair white arms, but no reply Soft
er and more thrilling were the tremu
lous tones
did you deny it, Lady Violante?"
Fresh sobs, but no words. He bent
down till he had fallen on his knees,
and softly drew away the clinging
hands.
Gladly Niolantn this nnce give a