The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-06-30
The Little Count
y VIRGINIA BLAIR
light. 1909 BY Associated Literary
Press

&
Down the long corridor Of the hotel
came girl in summer white, with
broad hat, rose-wreathed. In her
hands she carried q bunch Of valley
lilies.
You" breathed the little count
and stopped.
Oh" she cried, when did you
Gomez"
j Il have been here three days." he
told her, Il have talked and talked
and there was nothing worth while
until now"
She caught her breath. So many
men had said such things to her. But
in her experience there had never
seen anything like this little foppish
foreigner, with his pale face lighted
by some inner radiance.
Il am so glad you are here" she
said, and they walked together to a
window that overlooked the ocean.
"You are staying at the other no
tell" she asked.
Yes. Grandmother likes 1t better.
She has lot of old cronies there"
He was not listening. "Ah, Miss
Rene" he said, you are more beauti.
full than ever"
II have always been called 'Irene,'"
she told him, blushing, "but like the
way you say my name"
"Lhave said it so often to my heart"
he murmured.
The guests in the wide hall looked
at them curiosity. A party of young
people swept in, the girls all a-flutter
like butterflies. the men making a
background of well-groomed com.
placency.
"They are looking for me-" Irene
said.
you shall. stay with me-" His tone
seemed to command obedience.
But she struggled against it. THAT
man over there gave me my lilies and
have promised to go with him to
listen to the band"
Il can give you lilies! can give
you more than lilies-I can give you
love-.
Don't" she pleaded, don't say
such things to me-"
A tall, dark young man came up tc
them. Come on, Irene" he said.
For moment she hesitated, then
she said to the little count: Forgive
met is an engagement"
He bowed-a stiff little bow of &C.
quiescence
AS she joined the gay party there
was ripple of laughter from the
girls.
Later. the little count found her on
the beach in a hooded chair. He
stood looking down at her silently
then he said: why did you let them
make fun of me?"
"Who?" she stammered.
"Your friends-this morning-at the
hotel. They laughed and you let
them"
Il am SO sorry she protested
"that you heard"
II do not care what they think" He
drew himself up with gesture of con.
tempt. "They are nothing to me. But
it is you-you. You shall not think
am to be laughed at-you shall not"
his small white hand gripped the arm
of the chair. She had an impression
Of hidden power that thrilled her.
"You shall not" he repeated.
II do not" she said, gently. "You
know that last summer at Newport ]
was your friend. Surely you must be-
lieve that my friendship may be as
sincere this winter at Palm Beach"
place has nothing to do with 1t"
he said, slowly. Then he broke off
But what is there about me to make
them laugh?"
well, you are different" she tried
to explain. 1.-THE other men are all
big men, and they play golf and tennis
and-and to them you seem effemin.
ate"
"Ah, see." Suddenly his head
went up and his eyes flashed. What
do care for golf?" he cried. cts an
old mans game, and tennis is for
boys. When am at home I ride and
hunt-such things are sport for men.