Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-11

on my uiuJh..s> Siue Tie match would
be very advantageous 10 me- On the
other hand waS my boy soldier. who
WAS so anxious to honor me that be
apoloCized for returning alive after
having sent me as Il mark of his de-
vo1ioD the bullet that was supposed TO
have killed hin. Never was II woman
called upon 10 decide between such
extremes.
And while | Was undecided. or. rath-
er. while | was unable TO hurt my
young lover by turning him away for
the man il seemed best for me TO mar
~. my position 'was delicate one
When the count learned that Paul
Nevinsky WAS his rival he was very
much astonished. Paul had no for
tune. was a commUner ana was in
years and appearance "a mere boy.
That such "a man should presume 10
compete with him for the favor of
any woman was a great blow TO Ora
vienieffs vanity. That ! should con
slider Paul at all in competition with
q nobleman of his rank and wealth
somewhat diminished the counts good
opinion of me. | believe that on this
account, had he not been too proud TO
give in to such an inferior person he
would have withdrawn his proposal
for my hand
AS for Paul. when he first learned
that he had Il rI,ai IL Count era
vienieff all hope deserted him. Il
would not truly love you" he said,
should ! insist upon your besrowing
.
much more exalted than could give
you is in store for you"
/ could not but contrast the self con-
fidence Of the count with the mOdesty
of the little general Nevertheless l
was not so affected by this difference
between the two men as by the fact
that the one considered himself too
good for me, while the other cared
only for the honors he had won that
he might lay them at NIX feet.
One evening my two lovers happen
ed TO call upon me at the same hour.
AS soon as the count saw the general
his brow darkened. / introduced
them. The count bowed stiffiy. The
general returned the salute with more
amiability than might have been ex
pected under the circumstances. The
counts forbearance with me for keep
ing him so long in doubt broke down.
81 cannot consent" he said haughti-
ly, ito be placed in rivalry with one
who. though he has distinguished him
self on the field of battle, belongs to
an entirely different class from my
own. / have offered you my heart and
hand 1t remains for you to decide
whether you prefer to be the wife OF
q noble or the wife OF a commOner.
If General Nevinsky can bestow upon
you what l am able to bestOw l will
resign you for your own good. If not.
let him cease to come between you
and me-"
Count" I said. 81 will no longer
keep you in ignorance of my decision.
1 fully appreciate the substantial hon
ors you are able to bestow upon me.
General Nevinsky has already made
me one gift which l hold in greater
esteem than the wealth I would share
with you as your countess. That gift
has won. Being called upon TO choose
between you. 1 choose him who gave
me this"
Catching hold Of a small gold chain
about my neck. ! drew from under my
bodice that which was attached to it
a leGden bullet.
The count stood for a moment aston
ished that Il bit of metal should over
balance his estates; that the little gen
eraI should have won me with a bull
let. But he knew that my decision
was against him and in favor of the
giver of the ball Of lead. He with
drew haughtily. and the moment the
door was closed behind him my accept
ed sutton knelt at my feet.