Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-03-06


the latter had forgotten that the week
Of hts captivity had expired or whesh-
er he feared the doctor would tell him
be could 70. he did not mention the
matter. He continued to enjoy the ~
tenficns Of madame. and since he re-
cesved an order from St Petersburg
not to risk, anything by being moved
be remained passive and content
Then one morning, instead OF ma
dame bringing him bis breakfast.
servant brought II.
~where II your mistressT asked the
count I'm 4 dissatisfied tone.
MADAME Is indisposed this morn
ing
Madame was listening at the door.
sUmphr'
The servant set the breakfast down
on a table beside the count and left
him to eat alone. When the dishes
were carried on. madame was In the
pantry to inspect them She smiled at
noticing that the breakfast was I'M
touched
AT II o'clock the count sent serv-
ant TO madame to ask after her and
to express his disappointment that she
would not he able 10 read to him. AT
2 In the afternoon be sent another
message. begging that she would make
an effort TO visit him II only for few
minutes: be was desperately lonely.
Before dinner. which they had been
accustomed to eat together, be sent
word that II be could not have her
company no dinner need be provided
for him. At 10 In the evening he de-
elared that II she did not come to bid
him good night he would violate all
rules of propriety and so to her. To
this she sent word that she was better
and would hrea kfast with him in the
morning.
So the count, forced to so to bed
without seeing her. fretted all night.
and when In the morning he waited in
his easy chair for her 10 bring his
breakfast and saw her enter with the
tray. as usual. he was beside himself
with joy. Rising and setting the tray
on the table, he took both her hands In
his and carried them to bis lips
MY benefactressr' be exclaimed.
as 1t only gratitude that moves
your she asked, lowering her eyes.
.'Yes-no. Ii Is both. I mean that l..
having become accustomed to your
ministrations. cannot get on without
them
That was happy breakfast Ma
dame said she felt much better than
yesterday, but needed the air. She
would ride out, but regretted that the
count was not able to ride with her.
But / am abIes' cried the count. and.
getting up from his chair. he pirouet-
ted around the room.
Madame looked sad The count asked
what was the matter.
Since you are WELL" she said, I'VE
must part"
But" rejoined the count, putting
his hand on his side. 'sthe motion has
brought on a terrible pain"
Il think said madame. smiling.
that you are well enough TO ride out,
but any violent motion Is still danger
Gus"
Exactly" exclaimed the count, sink
Ing into his chair. with an apology for
groan-
A pair of horses and sleigh were
ordered-for by this time the snow lay
deep on the ground-and the two got in
among a pile of fur robes and went for
a drive.
That evening when madame and the
count were sitting before a great open
fireplace the count looked very sad.
What troubles your asked ma
dame.
Something that must separate me
from you" was the reply.
And that something isY''
you know of custom with us here
In Russia by which a woman who Is
not noble may marry noble and thus
acquire his title of nobility. Some
times wealthy woman VIII pay a
handsome sum to an impecunious no.
bieman to marry her. the two parting,
not to meet again. as soon as the cere-
mony has been performed. My heredi-
tary estates came to me very much In
numbered Indeed, 1t was necessary
that I should either raise 100000 ru-
bles to pay OF the debt or lose them.
At this time my eye caught an adyer-
tisement of a young girl who had just
come into a large fortune for a hus-
band with title. she to pay for the
honor conferred upon her, the two to
part Immediately after the marriage.
opened negotiations with this woman,
and the result was an agreement by
which she was to pay 100000 rubles
and be my wife in name. So distaste-
ful was the sale to me that stipulated
the ceremony should take place by
proxy. never saw my wife,
The count heaved a sigh at finishing
his confession
what was the name of the girl you
marrfedY' asked madame.
~ have forgotten"
WAS It Murianieffr'