Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-24
THE AMERICAN COUNTESS

By ETA w. PIERCE.

Bah! Let him hate me to his heart:
] content" said Lawrence: II am will.
ing. Come, we must be off, Bradford
Time Is precious-no more delays are
possible for me, you know"
They stopped to breakfast at little
chalet in the forest-a charming spot
made musical by the voice of the River
Reuss, that foamed and fretted near al
hand. A red-cheeked girl, in pictur-
esque Swiss costume, brought them
their chocolate, and a basket Of fresh
apricots and cherries from the garden
Of the chalet.
Apropos of the duel, Bradford said:
THAT scoundrel meant to kill you
sure, and had he kept his temper, he
might have succeeded. His Swiss friend
| has a chateau somewhere In this vicin-
ity-ten to one the count has gone to
nurse his wounded arm in peace and
quiet there. You'll not be likely to see
him again."
With a sad, bitter face Harding look
ed up from his untasted breakfast.
mo, I suppose not. I shall be in
Basle this afternoon. My God!" he
clinched his hand on the little table
how hate to go Bradford! How hard
| 1t is for me to leave him in full pos
session of the field! For half my life
shall regret, I dare say, that did not
shoot him dead this morning"
you mean to move heaven and earth
to speak with her before you go, eh?"
yes"
"Well, perhaps it's best. You would
not be satisfied with anything less"
They sat a little while talking to-
gether-they had been classmates to-
gether at college and good friends al
ways-then arose, paid their score and
retraced their steps to Lucerne. The
town was full of excitement. Some fete
was in progress, and streamers, flags
and arches of flowers glorified the
streets.
BY the time they reached the hotel
breakfast was over. A steamer lay
putting at the pier, and little compa-
nies of tourists were rushing off to the
Righi, to st. Gothard's Pass, to various
excursions, here, there and everywhere
In the midst of the hubbub Lawrence
Harding, hurrying through an upper
corridor of the house, stumbled upon a
dark, heavy-faced French servant In a
dainty cap and snowy apron. He turn
ed and followed her.
Hi! Lisette-Marie- Celeste-what-
ever your name is-wait moment
where is your mistress this morning."
He slipped something bright into her
hand.
MY name is Finette, monsieur. My
mistress Is much fatigued-she has not
yet risen-madam is not strong"
Not madame but mademoiselle-
your young mistress"
Finette's dull eyes grew brighter.
"Pardon-she has gone to hear the
organ at the Cathedral-it is a fete
day-you will find her there"
| He was striding away when she rush
ed after him and seized his arm. A
strange eagerness filled her whole dark
and somewhat repulsive face.
Have you killed him?"
That was the question which fel
breathe ssly from her lips.
Harding stared.
| "Killed-who?"
She kept her odd, intense look.
Count Stahl."
Harding started. This was strange
What do you know Of Count Stahl p
he demanded.
He was once my master, monsieur
1 was waiting maid to his countess al
the time Of her DEATH"
Harding felt curious shock of sur
prise.
The deuce! Does Miss Sardis know
it"
mo, monsieur"
How came you to take service witt
herr"
1.-The American madame's maid lef
her in Paris" answered Finette, stolid.
it-I got it. Nothing could be more
simple, monsieur"
It might be simple, but 1t was alst
unpleasant. Harding eyed her keenly
shady side of thirty, with face tina
expressed nothing, told nothing-a Sc
cretive, unreadable face. 1t piqued hi!
curiosity greatly.
You asked if had killed the count,
said he, what did you mean by that
my good girl?"
A faint smile fitted across Finette'
thin lips.
II mean that monsieur fought a due
this morning. Ciel! 1t Is no secret-ev
erybody in the house suspects it. Doe
he live?"
Most certainly Now answer me :
question. Is the count aware that hi
dead wife's waiting-maid is the ser
want of Miss Sardis?"
She drew back a step and her dull
eyes flashed.
He, No, monsieur. Adieu, mus
not talk with you further" and tn
next moment she vanished down tn
! corridor.
Harding descended the stair, an
, through the narrow streets of the tow
, hurried off toward the two-spired ca
, thedral. The morning was intensely hot
Pitilessly the sun streamed down o1
the promenade, on the gay banners an
arches, on the little shops full of ex
haustless crystals and wood carving
!, All the way Lawrence thought Of tn
discovery he had made-thought
Finette's face, with an eager, breath
less intense something, looking ou
through all its dullness. What was
! hate, fear, love? He could not deter
mine.
Were to remain here" he said t
! himself. II would see her again an
t question her more closely. It's an cd
, chance that leads any one connecte
with the Countess Stahl into Ethe