Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-10-31
Ghe Countess
Chooses.
By Emmett Campbell Hall.
1901. by E. c. PARCELS.


STAMPING her little foot and sobbing
inst as any other sorely tried giri OF
eirhteep might. The foot was shod III
|, dainty canvas oxford, and the re-
,a,,aer Of her costume consisted of a
duck skirt and shirt waist. Scattered
obont the room on the chairs and Ia
has were masses of velvet, SILK ana
lace and, most noticeable OF all
beautiful gown of white silk, on which
pcarls were cleaning like dewdrops
rnop lily. There was also long
white veil.
.No no. no. | hate everything.
will not try 1t on! | will not be mar
r;odr. the countess cried. And she
hurled at the despised wedding gown
the little dog whip which she CHANGED
| to have in her hand.
"Rut-should it not fit. To THINK or
| IT, And only two days more one
| If the two frightened maids protested,
Int suddenly shrank back from the
fiery eyes the Countess Evelyne turned
upon her.
| 1.-TWO days-never. | tell you. dunceH'
the countess hlazed and, turning, ran
from the room.
| Down the stairs and out of doors the
fountefs sped At the door her setter
spranr toward her with joyous yelps,
and the girl dropped on her knees ana
claspcd both her arms about his neck.
| Lets run off and have Il long talk,
Hero" she whispered. "They-your
mistress isn't happy, doggie."
Then she rose quickly, and together
they hurried down the driveway to-
| ward the little lake that glimmered in
the sun a half mile away.
1t was very quiet, just an ordinary
pretty country place. and not at all
what one would have looked for in the
summer home of countess. Her I'M
Gle. who was her guardian, had gone
off trout fishing, all the servants were
busy preparing for the wedding and
there was none to observe or stop her.
The girls spirits rose somewhat as she
hurried along through the sunshine,
and she laughed merrily when Hero
after elaborate creepings forward fail
ed to catch sparrow.
They passed through the gate that
marked the boundary of the place, up
on each stone pillar of which We're
carved her family arms, and on down
the public highway to where an old
stone bridge crossed the stream lead
Ing to the lake. Turning out of the
road. the countess followed the course
of the stream until she had reached Il
little moss covered bank. which,
screened by bushes. made perfect
bower Here she dropped upon the
ground. with little sigh of content
ment. The dog lay down beside her,
pushing at her hand with his cold wet
nose.
ITS horrible, doggie, dear" the girl
whispered, pulling at the silky ears,
land | haven't any one to help me at
all Even you can't, Hero"
The dog looked Into her face with
grave, questioning eyes.
|
some one | never saw" she continued.
speaking as one might to a dear friend.
Il know he is a horrid cad, Hero IL
he isn't cad he must feel just the
same way, too, and will hate me. 1t
was all arranged when we were year
old. And it isn't right, Hero. | am just
a girl, and | never had sweetheart,
and | want one, doggie, Just like any
other girl"
Suddenly the countess brown eyes
grew dreamy, and a faint blush stole
/ into her check.
DO you remember. Hero. when we
were sitting here just a year ago? It
was the day we thought he was COM
ing To the house, and we ran off to
Keep him from seeing us. And we
/ were Just sitting here like this when
! hopert came along. And we never
1 knew any more than Just each others
hainc-Evelyne and Robert And we
laughed and said we'd meet here again
some day but he never came back.
guess he has forgotten
She grew silent and sat gazing
urealnlly at the water flowing swiftly
past Then suddenly there was the
SOUND OF parting branches. and she
looked up into the eyes of that well
remembered friend of day, In bis
ihce was look of delight and sur
prise
H'eiEhe. he exclaimed and strobe
forward with outstretched hands.
10 YOU did remember RobertY' she
Saiu ana gave him both of hers, and n
slau niue smile came to her red Inns.
nave never forgotten. | was pass
ing along the road up there in my ma
cillhe ana stopped just to see the Mace
"s''H dld not hope to see YOU" he
answered.
ne ilad not released her hands. but
now she seemed for the first time IN
notice that fact and withdrew Them
blushng '"e'"'
lhey sat down side by side on the
lnoSsy bank. and the golden hours slim
pea 10y unheeded Almost unconscious
y their hands had met and clasnod
lhen his arm had stolen obont her
ana her head had come TO rest against
MS shoulder There seemed M nos+
40 future, only the present SLOWLY
as II drawn by n force no co,,t3 ,,,e -.