Democratic messenger., 1910-04-23


walking together In the Pitt gardens
lie joined Miss DE Forest.
She turned away from him.
Now. II is not pleasing to the amour
propre Of nobleman who has de
scended from one of the proudesi
houses In France to be snubbed By an
American girl OF ordinary lineage. and
a protcgee at that. The count was
furious. lie regretted that he had
not accepted the two weeks period OF
trial offered. since II would give him
time TO teach this young woman whom
he did not like that she could not with
impunity turn away an attention from
the Count dc rAmoureux. lie found
, himself In an equivocnl position. Miss
Monroe had not seen the snub he had
received, and he was too proud to
confess II TO her. And yet for two
days he was expected TO devote him.
self to the girl who would not accept
He begged Miss Monroe TO let him OF
from the balance of his trial on the
ground that II was obnoxious TO him.
She refused. lIe passed weary time
till the period had passed nursing his
wrath. Then the lady who had snub-
bed him relented.
The temptation TO give her a bit Of
punishment was too great for the count
to resist. A little side play from this
time went on all the while which Miss
Monroe was not supposed to notice
The count was really making love &c
Miss De Forest with view TO tossing
her away when he should have won In
tho game. II was not long before he
discovered that the protcgec was girl
Of superior judgment and cndowments
to the one whom he believed II was TO
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 be especially desirous
TO give II. but this did not make any
difference TO the count lie saw that
the girl preferred another TO himself.
The pique 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 go 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 lie was tempt
ed to commit the folly OF throwing
himself. his position and his name
away on hcr-that is. II she would nc.
cept him. a matter Of which he could
not form any opinion.
| One evening he 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
| lights on either side. The old stone
bridges were reflected, too. the rcilcc.
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
protegce. Suddenly soft voice behind
him called:
Count
He turned and saw Margaret.
where did you come from?" he
asked.
"vlslting the palace of the king.
am on my way to the hotel. Isn't It
lovely slght:'
"Ravishing."
"And 10 think that I must leave It.
| go tomorrow"
Tomorrow"
Yes; ar; called home 10 America"
''Thcn II must part from you this
Is iii scene 10 remember as the lasi
we saw together in this unique city"
She rested her arms on the stone
coping. and they looked at the bcau,i
| ful sight together. Presently he said
Il. 100, 20 tomorrow"
"Ah"
"Yes: | return To France"
"Engaged:"
NO: | came with view To enhance
my position by a favorable marriage
| have given that up"
why
Because ! have been turned from
my purpose
Wright aud Miss Monroe came up IA
he spoke The last words. The -four On
joyed the view for awhile. then walk
ed on together.
The next morning the count left
Florence by m early train and Miss
DE Forest 10y Il later one.
The count went 10 Paris. where nj
n hotel overlooking the garden OF the
Tuilcrics he stroyc 10 turn from hi,
mind the girl with whom he had part.
ed on the Ponte Vccchio IN Florence.
Hoping for better success ut his home.
he was about TO take train when he
received card on one side Of which
was the name Margaret De Forest"
aud on the other: Il nm about TO start
for America. Should be pleased TO see
you once LIore before ! go. Call this
evening"
T'Aniotirptix hpSIfatcd whether 10 pX-