The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-09-01
|ABarom'@ Capture of a Countess



nr WAS near midnight when the tele-
phone in the castle of Zsaby began
to ring sharply ana excftedly Baron
Sebastian Petroyics, the owner of
Zsaby, had not yet retired but was
deep in a book. He was in hunting
costume, as always when he was at
home. His hat, whip and revolver
We're lying on the table beside him, as
if he were about to take a nocturnal
ride to hunt the game which abounded
in the neighborhood
He hurried to the telephone. Halo!
Petrovics. What can 1 do for you,
counteSS?"
An excited female voice, the sobbing
of which betrayed only too plainly that
something had happened, replied: Are
you there, baron? Thank God, you are
at home! Please come over at once;
burglars are breaking into the housed"
Il will come Immediately" the baron
shouted into the telephone. Bolt the
doors, and let no threats prevail upon
you to open until / am there. 1 shall
take men with me. In ten minutes!
Be brave, counteSSi"
He did not wait for the answer;
snatching his hat, revolver and sword,
he rushed out of the ROOM There was
no moon, but the night was not dark
to the eye of the country bred man.
These nights are as if made for the
hunt, and evidently this is what the
baron had in mind for in the yard two
armed and mounted huntsmen were
waiting for him. Petrovics swung him
self on his horse and called to his men:
Follow me as fast as you cant"
He Spurred his horse and galioped
toward Gyongy.
Gyongy was the property of Coun-
tess Gulacsy, separated from Zsaby
only by narrow strip of woodland
The owners Of the two castles led a re-
tired life, the baron from necessity, for
his finances did not allow him to con-
tlnue the extrayaSant life he had led
in first youth; the countess from a
hatred of people which had induced
her to take refuge in this secluded spoE.
Her marriage had net been a happy
one, and her husbands conduct had
made the thought of men hateful to
her. 1t was only certain community
Of interests which had brought her and
the baron together. They were neigh
bors and could not avoid meeting from
time to time. Gradually she became
accustomed to Petrovics, who was an
excellent companion and knew how to
make time pass in pleasant conversa-
ton.
Once he had said to the countess:
You see, countess, you make me hap
Ply when you allow me to amuse and
entertain you. If you are willing, We
can arrange things so that I may hear
your voice even when it rains, or in the
long winter evenings whenever YOU
would enjoy friendly talk"
you know, baron" - the countess had
interrupted, that I am no friend of
society. You would often seek me in
vain, and find only Nine. Won Csongay,
my companion and friend"
But if you will give your permits
sion, I will have a telephone connec-
ton made between Zsaby and Gyongy,
so that you can call me when you
please"
The young woman smiled and made
no objection. Then the devils ma
chine" as the servants called it, was
introduced; but up to the time this
story opens no one had as yet made
use Of the telephone.
One day, the week before, the mis-
tress of Gyongy was in very bad hui
NOR, and even vented 1t on her COM
panion. MY dear Csongay," she cried,
petulantly, I'VE won't receive Baron
Petrovics again! He has abused my
friendship and confidence"
THAT is unheard Of, incrediblei So
tactful man
The countess shook her head ner-
yously. Imagine! He had the au-.
dacity to ask for my hand,"
WELL that is not an objectionable
crime
Don't irritate me. dear I don't want
to marry, and that is the end of it. All
men are alike-calculating and selfish.
Do you think that he has no eye for
my property? How do know whether
he loves me or not? He is courteous
and agreeable. that Is all. Could he
become hero for my sake-die for
me, if need be? Could he force me TO
admire him and bend to his will? You
don't think that yourself. No, am no
longer at home for the baron"
A week had passed since this con-.