The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-02
ANNA DDIES ON HIN
Boni Is Supreme Boss of the
CasteHane Ranch.
COUNTESS FEELS ABUSED
Because Folks Think She Has
Gone Back on America.

1
''A ave you the basket Of the Indian
| that your grandmother's daughter gave
| to thA, little boys father?" repeated tc
rrsyselA rolling my RS, when Count Bon.
,de Castsllane said in most exquisite Eng
fish:
'eYou most welcome, and the count
ess will de- glad to receive you, too"
where did you learn tour tongueT'
I asked.
where? Here. Where else? I was in
| THIS country ten months. 1t was long
emo ugh to accomplish much English
I st ,eak as I do German and italian"
It was last Monday, the day the Cas-
tella. ,es had arrived in America, after
Ave ! ears. Their rooms at the Waldorf
were A lready transformed.
The laid of Madame lie Comtesse and
the vaJA Of Monsieur le Count had plac-
ed fanth photographs on the mantel and
on the tan les. A florist had brought roses
sent by tn brothers and sisters of Mad
anne la Co mtesse, who was once Anna
Gould.
Look at n iemv' said the count, stand
ing in the ce inter- of the salon. Surely
thew attest ii he affection of my wife's
family for US.
"rhese are f rom Helena" They were
red roses stand ing three feet high in a
tall basket of % ark
"These are iron George and his wife,!
They were red rd ses massed in basket
of enormous dimeA sions.
From HowardY' About the room there
were roses and roses.
eve are deluged,'a cried the count, ode
Iuged With affection And there are those
who have complained our relatives did
not get out Of bed to greet US at the
wharf Bah!'
The count. who is ass straight as-speak
it low, it is a secret of the boulevards-
straight as the corset steel may make a
man who has already the figure to fool
low as it directs. stood with his hands
| under the tails of his frock coat. He
held them out back of him and tapped
! them in derision.
THE American people would that our
! relatives should rise out Of their beds at
! in the morning and stand wa wing flags
AT us. Because they did not it is an
| nounced that we have had a family quar-
| rel. Because they did not it is said I
! have run away from France, that my
wife's family has disowned US
Imagine anything more stupid than
this exchange of greetings on the dock,
with thousands gaping at you. with your
trunks waiting to be opened
LET me tell you If all the: Goulds were
to arrive in a body in France I would not
| go to meet theml
mo. 1 should not go If were in debt!
Now. let us consider why I should be
in debt? You should be in my house
You would believe it less than in this
room. This is-weH, comfortable. My
house. it is a dream of artistic beauty
realized"
The coount said "my" as a man who
has the right. He carries in his utter
ance, which is extremely forceful, COON
viction that is astounding.
MY house." said the count, 'is a re-
production of the Trianon, furnished af-
ter the days of Louis XIV. Who assist
ed me 1 alone am the artist
In answer to questions the count asks
questions which disarm.
'Why should I?'' is on the tip of his
tongue.
When he speaks Count Castellane looks
his listener directly in the eye, which
means at least that he has the courage
Of his assertions. He never hesitates.
If he lies he lies excellently. There is
nothing wavering about him. He carries
his head thrown back like the head of
soldier. His shoulders are erect and
squared for battle. His lids are never
lowered He has the forede1d of an
enthusiast. rereating slightly. His hair
| is so blonde that in certain lights it is
white. His mustache which is long and
| Curled at the tips, is a shade deeper. His
| eyes are of blue as light in COLOR as his
! bushy brows, but they are large, wide
! omen, intense. blowing with enthusiasm.
| His hands are nervous, energetic, con-
stantly moving. He hasn't a lazy bone
in his body. He stands when everyone
is sitting. I am sure he waits on him
self, thus depriving his valet of the pleas
ure he might have in earning his wages
on the boulevards the count has the
/ reputation of being a dude.
but I am accused Of so much" he
said laughing, that my conversation
would be nothing but denials, for all the
time I am to be here. There is no truth
| in anything that has been said of us. Let
US set that down at the beginning.
Il am not in debt. never was in debt
| don't play cards. I never did play
| cards. I never lead any demonstration
against President Loubet Neither did
my wife. We are not royalists We do
10, dislike P eSident Boubet"
You see me-" he said. DO look IKE
dude?"
1 The count wore black and white check
ed trousers. patent leather boots. a frock
coat, an Ascot tie mixed in the colors of
a brilliant bandana handkerchief His
| jewelry was small and uno5trusive In
his tie there was a pin formed oof his
monogram made in diamonds. His
watch chain was a black ribbon stretched
across his double-breasted waistoost
''Now, why do they call me a dude? Is
Il not because some men are careless in
their dress and they have a natural an
tipathy to those who seem to get them
selves up as examples? 90 asked the count.
| plainttvely.
Come in" said the count from mo-
ment TO moment And then. before any
hand could have reached the door. he
bounded there and opened it.
"Ah. flowers, more flowers! I am sure
it Is very kind. II shows the affection Of
our friends for Us. Send my valet 10
open
All he said, - want to show You
the cablegrams have received today
from Paris OF sympathy They express
annoyance at my annoyance" The
count rang the bell Send my valet
please" he said. My valet will ind
them Meanwhile. we win talk
Instantly the count few through the
room searching everywhere. "hA. here
/ ha h. .ffa