Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1912-12-05
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
TmE AFFAIR OF THE COUNT.

THE AFFAIR OF THE COUNT.
~Of course / do not wish to marry
the count" said Miss Bernard. petu-
lantly. IF Aunt DOrinda gave you to
understand" she paused significant
~.
"She did give me 70 understand that 4
the affair was settled" muStered Em-
DRY. his gloomy eyes fixed on the fash
ing sails in the harbor. "In fact, she \
minated that Americans cut no ice I
in the matterl"
Poor aunte loves a title" sighed /
Jean. ruffling her pretty hair distract I
eddy: "why couldn't she marry the
count hersef2''
Emory got upon his feet with sud
den alacrity; there was FIRE ia his red
brown eyes and determination In the
lines OF his strong Jaw.
''If Miss Leigh marries the count
VIII you marry me. Jean2' he asked
deliberately.
Miss Bernard stared; then she
laughed merrily.
why not? With aunie's craving for
n titled position satisfied, q believe
might-dont-u Ot-yeti" she warded
of Emory's impulsive movement. and
i
chair And now be on about your
business. Alr. Marriage BrOker-'
She smiled dcrisively at him. Emory
picked mp his hat and ran down the
steps.
What are your engagements for this
evening. Jean 90 DE asked, camly
"The dance at the Bicnells. OF
coursel"
"And Hiss Leigh-and the count?'
"They dine with Mrs. Frake and
come 80 the dance afterward.
"I VIII see YOU at BickneIs. Jean /.
como early, dear" DE said brazenly.
RUN away. YOU bold, bad mere
American" retorted Miss Bernard
saucily: then She watched him as ho
STROBE down the path and on 20 the
shore road, a warm laugh in her gray
eyes. ] would whether auntie married
the count or not" She murmurcd mys
teriously.
"Eet ees re beauululness Of q,
evening Eat appeals 90 my lOvair,
soul. gurged Count Leon Despagn,
as me Joined Miss Dorlnda Leigh OF
the veranda OF the Frake mansion.
Miss Leigh adjusted a lorgnette q
her high-bridged nose and peered ~
at the star-ieweled sky and then owe
the moonlt bay. with its hundre,
anchor lights vaguely indicating Ia
Whereabouts of pleasure craft
1T IS very pleasant" she rephe'
practically; "5ut of course IL canno
compare with your swn country 1h
romance. the beauty, the statellnes
OF the old chateau she sighed luXu
riously.
"Ah-ett ees glOrious-ze vale q
~.
pagne-ah. madmoiscllet What ces al
OF Get without your beautiful niece
You haf been so knd-sO gracious
YOU are Quite-sure2" his voice quave'
ed doubtfuly.
There is no doubt about 10, count
returned Miss Leigh I'm a tone OF d.
cision. "Of course Miss Bernard
quite thOughtless as she may appear
and ! am quite sure-that your-affe
ton Is recpr0catedi'
The count grasped her thin viii
hand with an ecstatic cry. AT IN
mement a servant approached thel
"a note for Miss Leigh" he said
Miss Leigh went 70 the drawn
room window and perused the note
the stream Of light that sfted thrOu
the lace draperies When she turn
her face was quite white and her han
shook TREMENDOUSLY.
order my car around, please" S
said 20 the servant. and as he depa
ed she whispered 20 the count: ct
is terriblei l have just received ne
that my niece has elOped with u
villianOus young Emory: VIII y
JON me in the pursuit, dear count?
"Sacre," muttered the count, bitt
", as he followed Miss Leigh 10
drawing room 10 make their Sdie
Five minutes later they were seated
the tOnneau OF the huge vehicle q
whirhng rapidly along the shore r,
toward the east
As the miles curled out from I'M
the tires Miss Leigh grasped sea
particulars of the flight
1T was an anonymous letter-fI
some friend suppOse-they elO
from the Bickneu dance in his al
mobile-gOing toward the east"
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