Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-05-11

that covered the sidewalks
along Castle avenue
Almost in the center of the imposing
line of palatial residences stood the
home of the Duke of Perse, minister
of finance, fianked on either side by
structures as grim and as gay as it.
self, yet far less significant in their
generation. Here dwelt the most i'm
portant man in the principalfty, not
excepting the devoted prime minister
himself. Not that Perse was so well
beloved, but that he held the destinies
Of the land in Midas-like fingers. More
than that, he was the father of the far
famed Countess Marlanx, the most
glorious beauty at the Austrian and
Russian courts. She had gone forth
| from Graustark as its most notable
bride since the wedding day of the
Princess Yetive, late in the nineties.
Ingomede, the beautiful, had journeyed
| far to the hymeneal altar. The hus
band who claimed her was a hated,
| dishonored man in his own land. There
were those who went so far as to say
| that her father had delivered her into
the hands of latter day Bluebeard,
who whisked her off into the high
lands, many leagues from Vienna.
She was seen no more in the gay
courts for a year. Then of a sudden
she appeared before them all, as daz-
zlingly beautiful as ever, but with
haunting, wistful look in her dark eyes
that could not be mistaken. The old
count found an uneasy delight in eX-
hibiting her to the world once more,
plainly as a bit of property that all
men were expected to look upon with
envy in their hearts.
Then the Duke of Perse resumed his
residence in Edelweiss, opening the
old palace once more to the world. His
daughter after the death of the prin-
cess began her extended visits to the
home Of her girlhood. So long as the
princess was alive she remained away
from Edelweiss, reluctant to meet the
friend who had banished her husband
long before the wedding day in Buda-
pest Now she came frequently and
stayed for weeks at time, apparently
happy during these escapes from life
in the great capitals.
OF late she came more frequently to
Edelweiss than before. John Tullis
was always to remember the moment
when he looked upon this exquisite
creature for the first time. That was
months ago After that he never ceased
being a secret, silent worshiper at her
transient shrine.
Ten o'clock on this rainy night a
carriage has drawn up before the low
er gates to the Perse grounds, and a
tall, shadowy figure leaves it to hurry
through the shrub lined walks to the
massive doors.
Tullis had long since ceased to be a
welcome visitor in the home Of the
Duke of Perse. The men were openly
unfriendly to each other. The duke
resented the cool interference of the
sandy haired American; on the other
hand, Tullis made no effort to conceal
his dislike, if not distrust, Of the Older
man.
The countess was alone in the long
warm tinted library.
, "It is good Of you to come" she saiG
] as they shook hands warmly. do yor
: know it is almost year since you las
J came to this house?"
! sit would be century, countess, il
1 were not welcomed in other house:
: where am sure of glimpse of yol
5 from time to time and a word now an(
3 then"
| They both seated themselves befor,
$ a glowing open fire.
: 1.-THE duke has gone to Ganlook tt
play bridge with friends" she said a
! once. "He will not return till late.
s have just telephoned-to make sure
e Her smile did more than to reassur,
, him.
+ "Of course you will understand how
b impossible it Is for me to come here
; countess. Your father, the duke. doe
s not mince matters, and I'm not Quit
2 a fool"
e sit is of the prince that want t
e speak, Mr. Tullis," she said. ST d.
: want to talk very seriously with vol
concerning his future-I might say hi
Il immediate future"
e He looked at her narrowly.
e "Are you quite serious?"
Y "Quite. could not have asked 70,
2 to come to this house for anythin
+ trivial. We have become very goo,
Y friends. you and l. Too good pei
= haps, for I've no doubt there are oil
q tabb1eS in Edelweiss who are provoke
i to criticism. You know what / mean.
} 1.-THE prince is sturdy little beg
a gar" he began, but she lifted her han
. in protest.
e "And he has sturdy, loyal friends
il That is agreed. And yeti She paus
e ed, perplexed line coming betwee
her expressive eyes