Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-04-13

HtLT ELL. girls, put on your war
w paint" said Cousin Fred. as
he threw himself into a chair on the
veranda; your opportunity has ar
rived-or is about To. A German
count, real thing, you know, IAN
ax castle and ancestral portraits
nnd estates and orders. and a name
longer than a trolley line. Coming to-
morrow, so brush up on German and
the history of the Won Schimmielheim-
sr family, and plan the most fetching OF
costumes"
In an instant Cousin Fred was the
center Of six excited girls, and was
plied with so many questions that the
very atmosphere seemed one great In
terrogation point.
How do l know? A little bird toio
me. Besides, Frank Lacy showed me
a letter from the counts secretary
Frank knew him at the university.
He has TO leave for the west, and wants
me TO DO the honors in his place. Nes,
the count is unmarried, young ano
eligible: probably hunting for a girl
wifi barrel of money. That gives
Fannie and Belle rather the inside
track. Although imagine Aunt Marga-
ret would make some sacrifices TO give
Dora and Helen a show TO be q count
eSs. l guess, Iona, you viii have 10
ait on the fence and see him so by.
OF course Mary will sass him and be
sarcastic with all concerned"
That's where your heads level" re-
sponded Mary. Il haven't money or eN-
pectations enough 10 buy a dry gooos
q I i haE
60 buy q husband. / don't know but
the dry goods clerk would be the besi
investment"
II confess that I wouldn't object Il
wearing a coronet," remarked Fannie
AGood," responded Cousin Fred
"One entry for the prize. Do ! hea
another bid?"
II hope he's handsome" remarke'
Dora, as the six cousins started 10
their rooms 20 dress for dinner.
The next day the count arrived wit
his secretary. who apparently was ais
his compsnion. In the evening the tw
were presented 10 the girls by Cousi
Fred. They were intelligent gentle
men of 2s or 30.
After the introductions there 70
lowed an immediate appropriation {
the count by Fannie and Dora, with
languid effort on the part Of Belle
interest the titled person, and inc
fectual attempts by Helen and Iona
maintain their parts.
Mary soon found herself in convers
tion with the private secretary, VI
was slightly taller than the cour
Soon they were joking away with Il
a ~
the counts arm and swept out I
the broad vsranda for a promenac
giving the other girls glance of Z
umph, Mary could not resist sayii
sweetly 10 Mr.. Schwartz:
"Your European aristocracy new
make q mistake in picking out the z
with money"
II beg your pardon!" replied
companion. surprised.
'-Oh yes. he has instantly discover
the richest one of the party" I'll
noting the astOnishment on his IA
she continued:
"You mustn't be surprised at al
thing do. No one Is. after they kn
me. am the ineorrigible' Of the Ga
ily."
Then Miss Curtin is very wealth.
.'Yes. indeed. Money on both 81
of the house-nothing lacking bu
count or duke or something OF {
sort"
Then the count is esteemed a 81
eateh?"
"By those who want that sor;
thing and can afford 10 pay for
she replied.
He laughed with rather more m
than the occasion seemed to demi
and offered his arm for a promeui
During the days that followed
two Germans became more and a
intimate with the Curtin party. w
Intimacy was duly approved OF by
usnmss. ysnny retained her