Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-07
THE AMERICAN COUNTESS

By ETA w. PIERCE.

you are very kind, I'm sure. May ask
your name?"
He was still listening to that pa
thetic hymn across the passage, but he
recovered himself quickly, and bowed
half way to the floor.
Il am Signor Discordo, madame-a
professor Of music. haf pupils-well
everywhere. They call me much from
re city. I shall not be here all re time,
but shall pay we'll for ze room, and al
ways in advance"
"A professor of music! I'm afraid
that is very genteel for this court" )"
thought Miss Airy, much impressed;
and then she said, aloud, with some
hesitation:
Il suppose you do not play much
upon French horns and trombones, and
such things, at night, sir? It's some
what disturbing to the neighborhood-
not that I myself care-oh, no! but my
nephew and the other dodgers might
object"
French horns! No, madame" said
Signor Discordo, "nevair! Iabhor them,
you shall not be so tormented. play
not at my lodgings-I bring no from
bones here. Pardon-zat is divine
voice-zat in de next room. madame!"
YES" answered Miss Affry, shortly.
"One Of madame lodgers?"
"Yes. I suppose, sir, you can give me
reference?"
Certainly"
He drew a card from his pocket and
penciled two or three names thereon.
Miss Airy just glanced at them, saw
that they were all foreign, and put the
card in her pocket. Being somewhat
careless in her ways, she lost it an hour
or two after, and so never sought for
the owners Of the rames. This did not
matter much, however, Miss Affry, be-
ing unsuspicious by nature, felt that
she could easily dispense with referen-
ces from a lodger who paid his money
in advance.
rs all satisfactory, madame?" said
the signor.
Yes, sir" answered Miss Affry.
The two stepped out upon the land
ing. AS they did so, the door Of the
back room opened suddenly, and Mercy
Dill appeared, dressed as IL for going
out. Signor Discordo drew back step
at the head of the stair to let her pass.
Involuntarily she looked up; her eyes
met his. She recoiled, and, with pal
ing cheek, a glanc, Of angry amaze, a
half-smothered exclamation, recognized
the man who had followed her along
the rainy, dismal street upon the pre-
vious day.
The shock of this encounter nearly
took her breath. Who was he? What
was he doing here-here, under the
same roof with he? Had Miss Affry's
vision been less defective she might
have noticed some thing very odd in the
appearance both Of Mercy and her new
lodger; but being as blind as bat,
she did not see the bold, triumphant
gaze Of the man nor the astonished, in
dignant look of the girl. The next mo-
ment Mercy darted back and vanished
in her own room, and Signor Discordo
descended to the dingy hall, talking
graciously to his new landlady, and
there, with deep, deferential bow, took
his departure.
When Val came home to dinner that
day Miss Affry had news for him.
II have let the second floor front,
laddie," she said, brightly, ito a nice
oh, a very nice gentleman! Indeed, it's
a wonder how ont like him can be con-
tent in Seedy Cour
Who is hep qleried Val, carelessly;
he never interested himself in his
aunt's lodgers-Mercy Dill excepted.
"A foreigner teacher of music.
You needn't frown-he has promised
not to play here, and he behaved most
beautifully, Val--paid four weeks in
advance, and was polite beyond every
thing"
II am glad for your sake" said Val,
briefly, and there the matter dropped.
The way was clear for Signor Dis
cordo, "a professor of music" to take
up his abode at No. 10 Seedy Court,
under the same roof with the girl
whose address he had bought Of Joseph
the organ grinder.