The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-18
The Invalid
A Russian NObIeman Injured
While Hunting Is Entertained
by a Charming Woman
BY GEORGE BECKWITH

morse ana injured. On an eminence
near by appeared a castle of modern
build, and the counts servant was
sent there to inquire If his master
would be welcome until he might re-
cover from his injuries. The servant
rode to the castle, asked for the own
er and was ushered into the presence
Of young and beautiful woman.
MY master" he said. Count Radzi-
mon, while hunting In the forest be
low has fallen from his horse and
sent me to learn II he may beg lodg-
ment here until 1t can be determined
If he is able TO proceed to the capital. "
AT the name Radzimoff the lady
started. When the man had made his
request she called for the master of
her stables and ordered him to get out
the most comfortable conveyance for
an invalid, go 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- TheH, calling her household to-
gether. she said to them, During the
stay In the castle of the gentleman
who is coming you are to remember
that l am Nine. Murienieff 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 lounge
in the great hall or living ROOM where,
his head resting on pillows and cover.
ed by an afghan, she bid him remain
quiet until the arrival of a physician
for whom she had sent She met the
doctor without on the porch and said
to him:
doctor, have received as my guest
a gentleman who has been injured
by fall from his horse Whatever
his condition. you are to tell him
that he will not be able to leave the
castle for Mt least week"
The doctor carried out his instruc-
lions, and when he left his patient
madame went into the room where the
count was lying and bent over him
alphabetically.
That rascally doctor says | must
thrust myself upon you for a whole
week." said Radzimoff
You shall be my welcome guest for
that time and longer"
But the hunt shall miss that"
II am sorry for you. but l shall en-
deavor to make your enforced stay
here as endurabIe as possible
81 shall Ike needed at the capital
hold n position at the palace, and his
majesty has given me leave for but a
few days"
Ills majesty, If he values you, will
not risk your life by calling for you to
come before your physician gives per
mission. | will write an explanation
for YOU"
Nonsense! | can write perfectly
well. Indeed, | don't believe a word
that stupid doctor says. | can certainly
go to st. Petersburg, even If 1t is not
best for me TO continue the hunt
She brought writing materials. but
his reclining position was not con
duciye to scribbling, and his hand
trembled. So she did the work for him
And now" she said. "as your host
ess it is my bounden duty to relieve. so
far rs possible. the tedium of your cap
tivity. There are chess, checkers cards
and books. Which shall it 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 she brought to him and
read to him the titles. that be might
designate one be would prefer He Sc
lected novel. and, drawing chair
close beside the lounge, she began to
read from It,
Madame devoted herself contlnu-
ously to the count His bedroom was
directly Off the living room and on the
same floor. Every morning her serv-
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
dninties for him with her own hands
studying continually how she might
administer to his comfort There is
no more certain way for a woman to
win her way to a mans heart than
by caring for him in his illness. In
the present case there was but one
drawback to the lady's method-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
ing the SO called sickroom, he said to
her.
THE count will probably ask me.
now that the first week has passed,
II he can be moved, What shall tell
him."
HE will not ask you, but If he does
tell him he must remain another
week"
"Just So" remarked the doctor and