Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-31
THE COUNT

 making, made her the most Joy1ul creature abroad that afternoon. i She walked on joy. she breathed joy. she radiated joy as she stepped
 serious young fellow, who was con
 tent to be with her without talking 1 much and she knew it.
 | Jennies coat was shabby, her toque
 old-fashioned, her gloves sewed up at the tips and her small shoes rubbed at the toes in a manner no black1ng | could conceal. but all this was Tor
 gotten in her pleasure at being alive and with Bob
 She was going to marry him just 1 as soon as she had earned little 1 more money teaching and he had fin 1 iShed saving up the $500 which It was 1 necessary to set them up in house. keeping. That would be next fall 1 sometime.
 T believe the buds are starting, she declared, peering up at the map 1 les which loomed over them. l Bob shook his head 1 q guess it takes more sunshine
 than we've had to start the buds' he 1 said.
 Bob, aren't you glad it's spring? l Aren't you just frantic to see some 1 green grass and violets?" demanded 1 Jennie.
 'TIl be glad to see this mud dried 1 up" he said. He was watching hig l blue automobile as it labored panting ] down the unpaved street. Jennie turned her eyes also to the i auto. On the second seat sat girl 1 of her own age, swathed in furs. Be- side her was a small dark man who 1 looked eagerly into her face and ges- l ticulating in an odd, foreign way as he talked.
 They were past in the space of half a moment. but even that atom of time was enough to cast it's shadow over Jennie's day.
 What a magnificent car," Bob ex- claimed. There's 8 fortune tied up in it-at least what would mean fortune to poor folks like you and me-
 T know it. Jennie said. Did you see her furs? They say they cost $500. There's another fortune just in them
 That was her fiance with her, Was mt it :" Bob asked
 Yes, the count. I can't pronounce his name. He is going to take her abroad to his castle after they are married next month.
 She will have a big wedding. won't she?'
 T should say so-six bridesmaids and maid of honor, and all the dresses imported" Jennie caught her breath as she related these current details of the great event.
 Maybe she won't be any happier for all that" Bob said.
 "Oh, Bob. Just think of what it means to have all and more than yor can wish for Just think what it would mean to us If we could be mar ried this spring instead of next fall and start in free from debt and wor- ry."
 She looked at him. She seemed suddenly to have become plain and shabby, almost undesirable. Jennie'6 heart sank as she remembered the daring, rnirited countenance of the handsome count.
 70, dear. some girls seem to have everything" she sighed.
 Bob gulped. She was communicat- ing her discontent to him, and he felt i vaguely miserable.
 Some men seem to have every thing" he sighed in turn.
 Tt isn't fair she echoed despair ingIy.
 Silence fell upon them. The gray day grew grayer. the robins ceased to sing; the springing buds drew back into their brown castings, and litte mourning wind arose like the very
 They turned at the end of the street and walked slowly back to the house where Jennie lived with her aunt who had several children and many domestic cares. At the door they parted liStlesSly.
 Good by" Jennie said
 "Good-by," Bob returned, and went 1 away, his head down.
 Jennie went into the house and up ! stairs to her little room, where the ! carpet was thin. the wall paper fad | ed and the curtains darned, took off , her old coat and toque and, flingins | herself across the narrow bed. cried 1 as if her heart would break.
 As she cried a radiant young face between cloudy chiffon and glossy l furs mocked her-the face of the girl i in the blue auto.
 Tt isn't fair It isn't fair!" she sobbed, storning at things in general.
 She did not come down to the Sun day night lunch and next morning, after neglecting her breakfast, she took the early train for her school in [ a little outlying village.
 Her heart ached and her heart was heavy. Bob had not come to take i her to church as usual the night be- get out of her ears the sound of his . voice as he said, "Good-by."
 The week went woefully. Never had the children behaved so badly. rain beating at the windows of the I little schoolhouse only added to her misery. She felt tired and beaten and [ discouraged.
 It was the first time in her life she had ever been really unhappy. What . was the use of all this saving and . trying? Again and again she asked herself the question as she plodded through the mud of the country road | to and from her boarding place.
 And always the gay. face of the favored rich girl mocked her-the girl whose wedding things had come ! from Paris; who rode in 8, $6,000 car and was going to live in a castle a castle when she and Bob could not afford a story and third wooden howell
 Friday night came at last. Jennie packed up her old valise with her soiled blouse and the oyer-supply of of handkerchiefs, which her nightly tears had made necessary, and set forth for home.
 The rain had ceased, but it was still damp underfoot. Drearily she tramped from the station to her aunts house Cheery lamplight greeted her and her aunt gave her hearty kiss. Supper had been eaten, but her DOT ton was being kept warm for her.
 Sit right down and eat" her aunt said, bustling from stove to table in the tidy little kitchen. You look tired out. child. What's the matter with your"
 T don't feel we'll" Jennie excused herself faintly.
 Spring biiousness! I'll steep you some boneset this, very night. It will you up in time. You can't work feeling like that"
 She sat down opposite Jennie at the table, resting her strong arms on the cloth. Her merry, kind face looked very pleasant in the lamplight.
 well, how has school gone this week?" she questioned.