Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-21
THE AMERICAN COUNTESS

By ETA w. PIERCE.

| am sure ne lleQy tnO0gn ne neet
not have taken the trouble, for wha
do l care what Is 1t to me where h,
goes?
The entrance of Miss Vann relieved
me from further conversation. TIL,
baron remained to lunch, ogled me Of
| fensively, and scattered his compli
ments right and left, as is his custom
but I was thinking OF other things.
scarcely heard him and certainly gavt
him no heed.
Miss Vann and madame dined out
Oh, for the day when /, too, shall
wear diamonds and Worth costumes
Like all the rest of my sex, pine fol
the vanities of life.
AS darkness gathered, curled my.
self up in an easy chair in the bright.
ly lighted drawing-room and opened
the last new novel, with which meant
to beguile the time till Miss Vann's re.
turn. Bijou, the pug, leaped into my
lap and nestled his turned-up nos,
into the curve of my arm with the
greatest assurance possible. He Is the
prince of ugly lap-dogs. His toes turn
out, he squints, and his whole william
GUS little face is as black as crows
wing.
Outside, low, mysterious wind, like
Miss Vann's splendid ground. Heavy
odors of flowers and blossoming shrub
berry fioated into the room, and now
and then a sheet of heat-lightning lii
up the lawn and the wide piazza, and
then vanished, leaving the night dark
er than before. ......
Ny novel proved to be dull and dry
/ grew lonesome and, rising, went to
the white keys Of the piano. glimmer-
ing from a corner of the sumptuous
silent room. played over some Of my
favorite pieces-sweet sonatas, Ger
man waltzes; and while was thus en-
gagged, the door opened, and somebody
entered with the air Of one familiar
with the place.
II am glad-oh, very glad to see
you!" I cried, frankly, for Miss Vann
and her mother are dining out, and
like Mrs. Gummidge, | feel lone and
lorn'"
Bijou was the only living thing there
to play propriety for us, but was toe
stupid to think Of that. l gave my
hand to Eric SAKE and he held 1t as II
he never meant to let it go.
II tried hard to pass the gate," he
said under his breath, but could not
OF late a spirit in my feet draws me
through these hospitable doors, wheth-
er wish it or not"
And why should you not wish it?'
I asked, pulling Bijou's ears in some
embarrassment. II thought you and
Miss Vann were very good friends"
"And so we are" he answered. why
should I not wish 1t? Because ! fore
see that it is-perilous business"
did not try to understand him. He
stood in the light of the chandeliers
looking down at me with dark, lumin-
GUS eyes. Miss Vann's maid had ar
ranged my blonde locks with grea1
care, and my dress was Of white, shin
ing toulard with clusters of great. blue
velvety pansies for ornaments. How
glad was that I had taken pains with
my toilet! Laughing little, anC
coloring a good deal under his fixed
gaze, said saucily:
Does your correct taste find any.
thing amiss with me tonight?"
Quite the CONTEMPLATION my
rudeness. I was thinking how won
derfully shining and unreal you look
| like a disembodied spirit, or, perhaps
might say, one Of Miss Vann's day
lillies."
After this speech the conversation
ceased to be personal. We talked O
Newport, of Miss Vann, of the sea, o
everything. Presently he asked me t
sing Miss Ingelow's 'Defton Wood
was lying on the piano. 1 seized upor
that. | have a tolerable voice, and
tried to do my best. All, the refrain o
the song is buzzing through my heat
still, like great bee:
| "Oh, so many, many, many
Maidens waiting to be won!
| Speed, We wooers, speed with any
| Speed with all but-one'
| l left the piano and walked to th
nearest window. He followed. Th
night was dark and heavy with heat
He had his hat in his hand, and seem
ed ready to go, yet in no particula
haste.
Smell Miss Vann's heliotropes!
said 1, leaning against the open win
dow What overpowering odors! AM
what a weird; uncanry night"
In order to obey, was obliged t
move a little nearer. The perfume o
the flowers floated III to us in great
sensuous waves. A Il yht breath Of al
waited my shining 'ess against hin
as he stood. Silence fell in the room
thrilling, almost dreadful. In vain
| tried to think of some harmless re
mark with which to break the spell
My tongue seemed paralyzed. l coul
not utter a sound. / could not sti
from my place. 1t was very ridiculous
and rather alarming.
How long we stood there, like tw
bewitched creatures, | know not; bu
presently a sheet Of heat-lightnin
flashed across the plate glass Of tn
window-flashed full in my eyes, an
filled the salon with a blue, inferna
glare. 1 darted back, blinded an
frightened. and like a terrified chile
stretched out my hand to Eric SAKE
How it happened, cannot tell, but tn
next instant l was strained to his side
his arm held me like bar of iron, hi
pale, quivering face stopped and touch
ed my plated hair. / seemed to hea
a voice, shaken with great rush O
unwilling passion, call my name twice
in a wild, desperate way:
"BeatriX! BeatriX! My darling"
And l? A flood-tide Of happines
rushed over me like an electric shock
overwhelmed me-turned me giddy an
faint. The room, that pale, passonat
moment l lay helpless upon the arr
that held me; and then-then, wit
some sudden revulsion of feeling
merciful Heaven. what could 1t hav
been he released me, he drew bacl
: he put me away. He was as colorles
as ashes.
: Il beg a thousand pardons!" h
stammered, in hoarse, strange voice
let me close the window" Down wen
the sash. He drew the elegant curtain
swiftly shutting out the blue glare
; Good might, Miss Sardis."
t The next instant he was gone out G
: the room out of the house. l hear
him cross the piazza with great stride
{ and after Shat-all was still.
When the Vanns returned, / wa
/ still standing where he had left MI
: daZed, shivering, miserable.
What ais you, Beatrix?" cried Mis-
Vann. You look like a ghost"
II have a headache" l answered
/ picking up my wits at last. with you
permission l will retire" and so
, hurried off to my own chamber.
The night is very dark and still
very dreary, too. What did he mean
J cannot tell am weary with think
ing of it. Why did he call me darling
) Does he car for me in the least
Surely not, o. he would not have lel
/ me like that. Oh my head does ach
? now in good earnest, and I cannc
write any more because Of my FOOLS
/ tears. l wish he had let me drown ths
day at the bathing place. wish
| 1,,ip vary nooment doe