Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-03-06
The Invalid
A Russian NCbieman Injured
While Hunting Is Entertained
BY a Charming Women
BY GEORGE BfCkNITH

A party OF gentlemen were hunting
in the province OF Tula. In Russia.
One OF them. Count Radzimo1. man
about thirfy-two and Of very aristo-
cratic mien. was thrown from bis
horse and injured. On an emIneace
near by appeared castle OF modern
build. and the counts servant was
sent there TO inquire II his master
would be welcome until he might re
cover from his injuries. The servant
rode to the castle. asked for she own
er and was ushered into the presence
of young and beautiful woman.
MY MASTER he said. Count Radzi-
moff. while hunting In the forest be
low has fallen from his horse and
sent me TO learn IL be may beg lodg-
ment here until 1t can be determined
II he is able to proceed to the capital"
At the name Radzimoff the lady
started When the man had made bis
request she called for the master OF
her stables and ordered him to get ont
the most comfortable conveyance for
an invalid. 30 with the lackey and
bring the count to the castle. Before
the departure Of the carriage she said
to its driver:
Answer no questions concerning
me-" Then. calling her household to-
gether. she said to them. During the
stay In the castle of the gentleman
who IL coming you are to remember
that I am Nine. Mur5enieff and am
to be addressed solely as Madame"
On the counts arrival madame met
him at the steps and herself assisted
him into the castle. Her reception OF
him was full Of sympathy, even ten
derness. She placed him on q lounge
In the great hail or living room, where.
his head resting on pillows and cover
ed by an afghan. she bid him remain
quiet until the arrival Of physician
for whom she had sent. She met the
doctor without on the porch and said
to him:
Doctor. have received as my guest
gentleman who has been injured
by fan from his horse. Whatever
his condition. you are TO tell him
that he viii not be able to leave the
castle for at least n week"
The doctor carried out his instruc.
tons, and when he left his patient
madame went into the room where the
count was lying and bent over him
sympathetically.
THAT rascaily doctor says I must
thrust myself upon you for whole
week." said Radzimoff.
"You shall be my welcome guest for
that time and longer"
But the hunt--I shall miss that"
II am sorry for you. but ! shall en-
deavor to make your enforced stay
here as endurable as possible"
Il shall be needed at the capital.
hold position at the palace. and his
majesty has given me leave for but q
few days"
His majesty, II he vaiues you. will
not risk your life by calling for you to
come before your physician gives per-
mission. win write an explanation
for you
Nonsense, can write perfectly
well. Indeed. l don't believe a word
| that stupid doctor says. can certainly
go to st. Petersburg. even IL II is not
best for me to continue the hunt"
She brought writing materials. but
his reclining position was not con
ducive to scribbling. and his hand
trembled. So she did the work for him.
And now" she said. "as your host
ess 1t is my bounden duty to relieve, so
far as possible. the tedium Of your cap
tivity. There are chess, checkers, cards
and books. Which shall IL be?''
The count touched by her kindness.
apologized for not having shown his
appreciation of It before and said that
he would prefer the books. So she
went TO her library and selected several
volumes. which shebrought to him and
read TO him the titles, that he might
designate one he would prefer He Sc
close beside the lounge. she began to
read from IT,
Madame devoted herself confinu-
ously to the eount. His bedroom was
directly OF the living room and on the
same floor Every morning her sery-
ant dressed him and assisted him into
the living room. where he at first
took TO the lounge. but soon insisted on
an easy chair. Madame read to him,
played games with him and cooked
dainties for him with her own hands.
studying continually how she might
administer to his comfort. There is
no more certain way for woman to
win her way to mans heart than
by caring for him in his Illness. In
the present case there was but one
drawback TO the lady's mefhod-the
count was perfectly well.
The doctor called every day, felt the
patients pulse. examined black and
blue spot on his leg. took his tempera-
ture. looking wise and thoughtful all
the time. and at each departure ma
dame slipped 10 rubles into his hand
At the end Of the week. before enter
H. L. Ill II -