New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-17
The Countess de la Tour"

~ was many years since had heard the name.
anu YET at one time had heard 1t many times a
Jay and it familiar my own. But that
was long ago and the mention of the name sent
my thoughts flying back nearly fifty years.
me Countess de la Tour is taking leave Of the
"orld' said the French Ambassador.
she did that many years ago." returned. still
pusy With my recollections
An but she Will return more and. before she
leaves US. permit me to present to her one to whom
our dear country much"
so bowed and followed him. smiling little 10
think that I should be presented TO the Countess
de la Tour a stranger. AS made our way
through the crowd that thronged the salon. I Won
dered why. IL she was really leaving the world for
the last time. she should havo the reception
at the Russian Embassy for her last appearance In
public.
group OF men surrounded her and not a few Of
them were young. but all seemed anxious to do
honor to a lady who had once played a great part
IN the world and now about to leave it. as she
had done many years before. Now she had re-
turned to say her final farewell Her face was
still beautiful, albeit age had robbed it OF its brill
liant colorine and her eyes sparkled with scarce
diminished I1stre
Madame" said the French Ambassador. permit
me to present 10 you NJ de Ruvigny, 10 whom
France and all owe so much"
M de Ruvignys merits have long been known
to me-" she replied smiling and holding out the
little white hand upon which the gems glttered.
And my defects. Madame" murmured kissing
her hand.
do you remember the Bols do Charenton?" she
went on thoughtfully
II was happy there, Madame"
"Ay. so were all. for little time" and she
It's only in youth that is happy" n
You would remind me Of my white hairs" she
retorted. with gesture that i' remembered
80. Nay; Madame but was thinking Of my own"
II remember the time when you We're d better
oogFer no NJ de Rgyg6y she b said smGg
since you but boy, and In
The most beautiful woman in Paris" broke
She shrugged her shoulders.
| Those things are but vanity. Tonight L take
4 S S too old for n reses once ms h.ar
rebellious and slowly schooed to obedience.
ment Of life; When was young and you were a
pretty f4ithf boy with golden locks was sadly
you. Madame?' I exclaimed. remembering how
how majestically she had ruled it.
Il meant not that" she answered but loved
I loved-my husband" The sweet voice broke and
The Due de Braunberg knelt at her feet She
Come to me tomorrow" she whispered II have
something to tell you before die Au revoir. dear
| bowed low and passed through the company
/ down the crowded chamber. Men spoke to me and
was like one in a dream Remembered only the
Bots de Clarendon. Louis the Wel-Beloved was
few that loved him had followed him. But for the
Tou had aa 6o1 e@ Sck 10 & nd
! waited my mistress's commands. dressed in satin
The door opened and she called me to her Her
She had aG in her
| Mon petit Pierre" she said. take this letter
hand, The matter is urgent You viii find him?''
81 lid doubt not Madame" | made !7 answer. bowling;
| you are faithful" and she gave me her hand TO
| I must have been a slovenly courtier in those
days. for the diamond in her ring cut my lip; AS !
| the sight Of 1T made me shudder because it was a
bad omen. But when reached the hall. where the
| face. and shook my sword in its scabbard for was
n0t Of the toah e IA r6a he
into my breast and strobe down the Rue RicheIieu
| to the Hotel des Bons Enfants.
| 1 was only beardless boy, but my silken coat
ed the me arms Of da IA T2nE 1t PEG
| me to the Card Chamber. and ushered me in. For
| crowded, and among the company 1 Noted some of
the nee de- BeauTad the Prince Ts Dde Tngr n
dc, stainville. NJ; de Jarnac. and know not what
Then. seeing that they noticed me not at all
room looking about me for NJ de Rusillon Al
length 1 caught sight Of him. He seated under
handsome face bent over the card table. I made
! my way toward him and suddenly perceived. to my
| the Count de la Tour.
I hesitated, watching them. NJ de Rusi1on's face
was immovabe and grave, the Counts fair counte-
nance was alive with pleasure. a pile of gold stood
The luck is against you tonight, Alphonse."' he
sweeping 4aoi the gold to him
tomorrow is another day"
| I bowed low before the Count and then. DRAWING
the letter from my breast. presented it TO NJ. de
The Count fazed at both of US IN enazement
De Russllon opened the letter hastily and read IT,
| as though he were alone; then he folded It and
PLACED it in his brast
! The Count sat staring at him.
1.-THE cards yours said de RusiIIon
And the letter also" exclaimed the Count
"Ay, the letter" reJoined the Count. his face pale
! IT do not understand" de Rusil1on murnursd
since tho writer is Of my name and house. Give
| But de Kusillon buttoned his coat across his
heart.
ter and touches you not at all So viii keep the
| That shall not be for long the Count cried
| angrily.
| De Rusillon, shrugged his shoulders
love my honor d6earer than my life. and so I win
Until tomorrow" the Count broke out
at do but defend my honor" he replied. while !
] stood by trembling and not knowing what to do.
| Go back to your mistress he exclaimed argr,Iv
Tell her that you have performed your duty; but
| have need OF him In the morning and await ne n
| the hall Go. and see that your tongue does not
I know, not how my trembling limbs carried me
back 70 the Bots de Clarendon but when gave the
Counts message to Baudelaire threw nlvser INTO
| n seat half sick with fear and misgivinE Had nv
| mistress called me had told her everything. But
All night long slept beside the great staircase in
| the hall. I awoke to rude shaking and looked
| into the face of the Count de Ia Tour with sleepy
| and tirnid eyes
| His face was flushed and his hand trembled
| Awake little fool" he cried.
I staggered to nv feet with the tears IN nv eyes
| for he used to he gentle with as he was
! with every one. and nv heart was weak because
| had no understanding OF the matter
Co he said. impatiently: "go TO your mistress;
| tell her that her husband awaits her.
I went up the stair TO the apartments OF the
Countess, and gave the messaCe to one OF her
] down the hall Outside I coach with six
/ horses harnessed 70 Il was snrelY DsrnlAxsd IA