Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-07-13
By CHARLES CARv7cZ
The count starts.

The count starts.
You see" says Vane, significantly, /
I'VE know something of your plans.
count, and though they do your in
genuity infinite credit, the present !
position of affairs only goes TO prove |
that love laughs not only at lock
smiths. but at diplomatists."
The count, trembling with passion,
twirls his mustache.
"In one word, my lord,' he says,
II demand the Princess Verona. !
demand her on the authority of her
father; on the authority which my
position as her future husband gives
me. DO you yield her. or shall ] be
compelled to call for the assistance
Of the local authorities
'In one word. my dear count, re-
fuse to deliver up the princess TO
your tender mercies, and, in another,
] very much doubt whether you will
call for any assistance other than ]
am willing to render you.
The two men confront each other
with keen, scrutinizing glances. AT
last the count shrugs his shoulders.
you are aware, my lord" he says.
that you lay my courage under an
imputation. ! am not unprovided
with suitable weapons; my dueling
pistols are in my holster case, the
adjoining wood"
| Vane smiles.
mo, count" he says, '1et US settle
the matter of the princess first. You
can shoot me afterward if you like:
and as you are a much better shot
| than am, have no doubt you will.
| know how excellent a shot you are,
| for remember you when, as cap
tain in tine Kings Guard, you used
to practice in the st. Petersburg
shooting gallery"
The count suddenly WINGED, but the
next moment he looked as cool and
| fixed as ever.
you have the advantage of me In
the matter Of your memory, my lord. -
| YES" says Vane, II was not sur
prised that you did not remember
me. for ! was at that time only Lord
| Ellsworth, and wore a plentiful
beard and mustache. But | remem-
/ Der you, count, and can fix the date.
1t was the year when all Venice was
convulsed by the assassination of the
Minister Of Police"
The counts eyes went like glass
in his effort to retain his compasure. -
"If you think. my lord, that that
fact has any interest for me. you
are mistaken"
Il think not" says Vane. Then
suddenly he alters his tone. and lay
ing mis- hand on the counts arm. he
says, with a smile: Count, let us be
candid with each other. You wish to
secure the Princess Verona for a
wife you have been betrothed to her
since-well, too many years ago for
her consent to have been asked "a
the arrangement. The princess is nc
longer child, but a woman, and a
very charming young lady. too. Not
withstanding her engagement TO you
she has given her heart elsewhere
10 my brother ln-law"
"A bcyi" says the count Struggling
mis- shoulders
1t is a fault which every year will
mend, and all too soon, count" re,
forts vane. boy, as he is, he is old
enough to know his own mind, and
both he and her highness appear TO
have made up their minds with to-.
cradle firmness."
Excuse me, my lord" says the
count, but this alliance, which you
appear to encourage. is scarcely an
advantageous one for her highness.
Mr. Bertram is not only young but
untitled and poor
"The Bertrams came over with the
Conqueror, count AS to his poverty,
| win remove That disability. The
day he marries the princess l will
settle three thousand a year on her
highness."
The count bites his lip.
Elm fact, you are determjued to Dust
me. my lord"
Say. rather, that l am determined
to prevent YOU leading the princess
into a mistaken union, which would
make both her and yourself unit
terably miserable"
and II stand upon my rights?"
says the count.
Then telegraph to the Austrian
Government that Count Mikoff, who
/ can give the key to the assassination
OF which spoke. is here at Durbach
am aware that the minister did not
fall by your hand: but am also
aware that your subtle brain devised
the able conspiracy which led TO his,
perhaps. deserved punishment Come,
count, such dlplomatist as your
self knows when ne IS beaten"
The counr, with slow smile creep
ing over his pale face. shrugged HIS
shoulders and bows.
True. my lord" he says. Il am
vanQuished"
Good" says Vane. spontaneously,
and he holds out his hand. "TInen
come in and have some breakfast,
And by the way. as the princess has
kindly agreed 10 accompany us to
England, and as We have to start at
once. ! viii avail myself of your kind
mediation with the prince"