Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-24

the game. IL WdH uot ion6 DS
discovered that the protegee was Il girl
Of superior judgment and endowmehsS
To the one whom be believed 1t was 10
his interest to marry. About the time
he had made up his mind to this Miss
De Forest began to court the attention
of Bernard Wright. Young Wright
did not appear to lie especially desirous
TO give It, but this did not make any
difference to the count. He saw that
the girl preferred another to himself
The piaue he felt he attributed to the
danger Of losing his revenge.
The spring was fading into summer
and yet the count was not engaged.
Indeed, he was beginning to think that
he would 20 back to France to remain.
for a time ut least, bachelor. The
lady to whom he was devoting him.
self openly had intimated her willing.
ness to accept him, but he did not pro-
pose. The lady whom he was endeav-
oring to punish was Furnishing him.
There were times when he was tempt
ed to commit the folly Of throwing
himself, his position and his name
away on her-that is, II she would ac-
cept him, q matter Of which he could
not form any opinion.
One evening lie was standing on that
old bridge. the Ponte Vecchio, looking
over the Arno to the westward. The
sun had set, but the day fingered. The
placid river reflected the houses and
the quays. bordered by a long chain OF
lights on either side. The old stone
bridges were reflected. too, the refec-
ton Of one appearing under the one
next beyond, the stone and the image
together forming circle. The noble
man was thinking Of the American
protegec. Suddenly soft voice behind
him called:
Count
He turned and saw Margaret.
"Where did you come from" he
asked.
"Visiting the palace Of the king. \
am on my way to the hotel. Isn't 1t a
lovely sight"
"Ravishing."
"And to think that must leave It,.
go tomorrow"
Tomorrow"
"Yes; am called home to America
'Then II | must part from You this
Is q tit scene to remember as the last
we saw together in this unique city"
She rested her arms Oh the stone
coping. and they looked at the beauti-
full sight together. Presently he said:
~, too, go tomorrow"
"Ah"
"Yes: l return to France"
"Engaged!'
mo; came with view to enhance
my position by favorable marriage.
| have given that up"
"Why?"
Because | have been turned from
my purpose"
Wright and Miss Monroe came up as
he spoke the last words. The four en-
joyed the view for awhile. then walk
ed ON together.
The next morning the count left
Florence by an early train and Miss
De Forest by later one.
The count went to Paris, where at
a hotel overlooking the garden Of the
Tuileries he strove to turn from his
mind the girl with whom he had part;
ed on the Ponte Vecchio In Florence.
Hoping for better success at his home,
he was about to take train when he
received card on one side Of which
was the name Margaret De Forest"
and ON the other: II am about to start
for America. Should be pleased to see
you once more before 60. Call this
evening"
L'Amoureux hesitated whether to ex-
cuse himself or to accept. A desire
to see one connected with May Mon
roe in so many pleasant rambles con-
quered, and he determined to accept.
The lady who entered the reception
room surprised him.
why" he said. II received Miss De
Forests card"
81 sent you Miss De Forests card"
"Why SOP
Because am Miss De Forest"
The count stood stupefied.
She told him the story Of the decep-
ton. A FrenchTan. he could not I'M
derstand the ways Of Yankee wo-
man. but his delight mt the denouement
Of the little comedy In which he haG
played the fool was unbounded.
and now" he said. I'VE will begii'
what we meant to begin in Florence.