The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-10-14


which we learned from our trip
abroad, but he had beautiful dark
eyes and a very lovely waxed mus.
tache and little pointed beard and
white hands, with two diamond rings
on them. He sat opposite TO us, and
to our delight papa began conversa-
ton with him over handing the sauce.
Gle had looked at Laura pretty often
during "soup."l Before dinner was
over We were all on very friendly
..-..--- $685.
terms, and he spoke English very
well. so we hadn't to trouble about
French. l must add that, though papa
had been 50 anxious TO "parley-yoo"
again while we were still at Paw
tucket, yet he never let US hear any of
it. lie always sent US on In front
when he had to speak to native.
Boulogne was quite different place
to us from the day the count came.
He was our constant companion, and
it was delightful TO go about with a
real live nobleman. We used TO say
"count" especially loud when we pass
ed English people. Ii made them ''sit
up" as Jim said. II was pity the
count was so poor-papa always had
to pay for him-but he used to apollo
gize in such charming way and bring
US punches of flowers (the flowers ar
ranged in rows, with glorified dish
paper round them and say: Il wish
could lay the treasure OF the east at
your feet. mademoiselles. Helas. the
gift is poor. but 1t is rich with thoughts
of esteem and regardr' with more In
the same strain, which Laura thought
perfectly lovely. 1t was rather too
poetical for me. The count told us
that the reason he was so poor was
that bis estates were confscated owing
to the part his ancestors had played In
some revolution or war. but he had a
lawsuit on to recover them. He show
ed US photos Of them. and they GER
tainly looked beautiful.
never saw papa SO generous before.
We were always driving or going for
excursions. However, heard him say
to mamma after certain very heavy
lunch bill, AFTER all, one doesn't meet
a count every day"
had noticed his attentions TO Laura,
and knew which way the wind blew.
But papa grew more and more en-
thusiastic as our friendship ripenet.
He used TO dllate on the counts
charming manners when We were
alone.
That's the advantage Of associatins
with the aristocracy." he would say
arm a plain man myself. but respect
blood. Nobility Of birth produces no
bility Of character and manners
Which sounded beautiful and made
Laura blush.
Mamma also took violent fancy e
him. He spoke SO feelingly. she said
| OF his mother. who was dead, and Of
marriage and mans duty to woman
And Laura blushed still more.
We were very sorry when our stay
at Boulogne came TO an end. for W.
feared our friendship with the coun'
might end too. But be said he wal
coming over to ''the States" on bust
ness Che looked at Laura as he said
III. and be hoped that he would b
permitted 70 visit one Of American
merchant princes IN his home. Yot
should have seen papa's face when b.
heard himself described as merchan
| prince. OF course we said we shoul,
be delighted 10 see him. and we parte,
with many expressions Of mutual re
greet. I don't know what be said q
Laura as we walked TO the statiol
the morning we left. but ] do know
that he held her hand much longc
than was necessary. although ] pre-
tended 10 look the other way. Sh
was very silent and pensiye on tb
home journey. and papa and mammI
exchanged knowing mods. knew
mamma was pIeturing TO herself th
sensation II would cause In the neigh
borhood n her daughter were 10 b.
come a lady Of title. also felt
would be distinctly pleasant 20 speal
ia an offhand way Of my sister th
Countess de Marabout" wasn't N
least BIT jealous Of her triumph. b
cause I really prefer Americans I
foreigners. counts though they ma
be. There's a young man IN the Paw
tucket Nstisnal bank-well. but tina
has nothing e. do with the count.
The return uTney did not seem q
Stat" as usual since we had the count
yislt 10 look 10