COUNTESS DYNAR OR, POLISH BLOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 78, 1 April 1895, Page 3

COUNTESS DYNAR OR, POLISH BLOOD.

■ ) : FSOM, THE GERMAN, OF . I CHAPTER XXV. ' , - The Princess Reuseck took :her departure a half an hour earlier than the time appointed. Of course the ladies of,her circle followed ' her> example. Madame Yon Hofbraten had just decorated the breast of .a ' Krull-kopf-officer of the infantry, who seemed to stand in high favour with , her, with the '.Order of the Star.1 - 'Fresh, free ;ahd frolicsome,' she had danced through every cotillion with,the-gentlemen of the other circle, and at the,same time kept up a ' leeble shab' with' the, ladies"; 'and finally book her "departure,' leaving ' behindr/her many new friends. • *•■"«'•■ ••- ■ ;■■';■■■■■■ ' : ' Flanders had '■■ordered- :;hie overcoat brought -to him in~ the.-ante-chamber. Stretching his arms out, with an air of one very much bored,' he'yawried, •• Whabadelightful evening this has beeD,- truly !' V . VDo you mean-for us,'Mr ;Von" Flanders ?' He turned quickly and beheld Madame Goweri who had followed "Madame -Yon Hoftraten with "her forgotten faTv 'Htjr eyes burning with indignation, fixed them selves upon the'goring officer'B face. Flanders murmured several; unintelligible words, while makingmanynervouainclinations of the head. Madame Yon Hoftraten added, in her laconic manner,' 'Jou vas right, Madame Kower; Just gif him Bomet'ing fest righb 'in; de ;face. De young" beeples of to-day, haf no baate. ;I, for my barb, enjoyed myself sphlendid at your dance-barty.' ' \ '" ;' \ \ Excellenz Yon Gartner^lingered for sometime : when the greatesb number of equipages had driven away she glided down" the stairway like a veiled shadow to her carriage. : v ' :; The servant opened the door— she stepped hastily in^-stortled—she almost reejed backwardsi — fehti 'carriage" was empty! . . • v ; . Vroczna had taken leave in the corridor before hereyes- and had; gone; :' Why had he nbbawaitedher here^accbrdihg to*agree■menb ?—bubpefharjs some-unlobkod-for de'tenbion Bad/ :ma'd6** it - jmpdsfeiblei ■. ■ Almost stunned she leaned back on the swelling cushions, /the. carriage gave a' start and away Sashed the horees. ,Just as Madame Yon Gartner had stepped from her carriage and was about to ascend the steps of her i residence, Proczna's tall form glided like a shadow from behind a column and "stood;,beside her. 'Pardon* Excallenz, may I ask the favour of a few minubes 5 conversation ? A matter of the most pressing importance.' 'Proczna, you, here?' was the ; almbßb breathless reply. 'Of course 1 will receive' you, even though ib be at an unusual hour ! -s^-Turn on the gas, James, and light the chandelier in my room. 1 . U . . :

A sweety intoxicating perfume pervaded the little boudoir; The softened ■ligbfc, rather veiling thau revealing, flowed like mellowed moonlight through the broad fan leaves which arched, mysteriously protect: ing over the> divan. ' Upohthe wall, console and etageres the rosy, amorettes coquettiahly beckoned, or alluringly spread their arms. In the midsb of this fragrantly en-1 chanting solitude stood LBoni6,.Bhimmering in ;silk and decked in blossbmsj capbi-: vatingly beautiful,^ as the fair sorceress, with snow-white bosom and arms, that'rose from'out the' sea foam.among reeds»and lilies. And ehe Bpread B hdr arms outj laughing, full of wild, passionate love-longing-— •Janek !' , v "

He stood as though transfixed before her, then, with a. darkening glance, he raised his head. 'What is the meaning of this comedy, Excellenz? I am not the man to obey every breath you draw. lam nob Mr'Von Flanders, who kissed your beautiful lips before I did.' • Her arms sank;at her side, asthough suddenly lam6d. '•* Whabdoyou toean by/this; wild language, Proczna—what has Mr Yon Flanders to do with this moment ?' .■ .l\ 'Do you really nob know ?' And be crossed his arms over his breast, and turned his piercing glance down into her face.; ' The very walls have eara, and play at eavesdropping, when' a beautiful woman swears passionate love and faith to on^ lover, and writes in the next momenta,an invitation to a rendezvous on her dancing card to another.'

Leonie's cheeks were too thoroughly masked by art to lose their colour,: bub her eyes became fixed and expressionless.'

•A calumny—an' infamous, malicious calumny. Flanders is jealous and'has made use of this despicable means to keep us apart! Proczha!' Leonie threw herself passionately upon his' breast, and wound her white arms about his neck. • Believe in me—look into my eyes and trust bheinr»insrettd of the envious ioßinnations of other tongues.' I love you ! You havetoade my very soul your own.'

Almost violently he tore himself from her embrace, and cast the hands that still clime to him contemptuously from him. •- /- ---•' Will.you tell fchb same-story1 fco Mr Yon Flanders when you 'take him up •* in the closed carriage, upon the well -'known 'way?'" _~; : /?. ,■•,;./'.. . .•' .';■ ~ v

She shrank convulsively from him, then,* springing forward like,an enragod tigre^3,» she cried: ' What. an inßult, Proczna ! How dare you offend a defenceless wbmaii in this unpardonable manner?' ■

He calmly "opened his portefeuitte,' and: held Flanders' little\ note-up to view.; ♦You certainly must! be award'Excellenz; how fatal a few lines like these maybecome ! It was very lucky for you'that accident) placed this Httle leaf iv my fingers !' With eyes flashing with anger, Leotiie leaned forward to read the words, then, as though struck with a blow, she recoiled and pressed her .hands to'her 'face; 'Unheard of, shameful perfidy !' came hissing through her lips, as she staggered toward the divan, on which she threw herself, and pressed her countenance, sobbing, into its swelling cushions. / '

Proczna stepped to her side, ' You are mistaken, Excellent, when you think there] has been some treachery at 'work. If'there was any, ifc was that which you practiced on yourself, and your much-tobe-pitied husband, when you threw yourself heedlessly into the arms of a man for whose character you had no guarantee whatever. What a strange error for your sharp, despotic spirit, whose element it was to weave nets and lay traps for other people,-and it now finds itself caught in the snaro which served as leading strings for others.' For a moment deep silence reigned— Leonie made no sign. ' ; ' ' t 'I stand before you" for the last time, Excellent,' continued Janek, in : a milder, and lower tone; 'for the last, time, at least,* when it will be possible for me to speak openly and unreservedly to you.'. ■■>• She started up; Wide open and tearless stared her sorceress eyes. 'No, no, Janek!. nob. thai;! Do not go-from me in anger and resentment ! Weakness, thy name ia woman! She raised her< white, convulsively^clasped hands toward him. The gold bands fei] jingling /back upon; her arms. A sweet, significant smile played abouSher.lipa4, 'And 1 was weak because I loved you. Because I feared ; Flanders' jealousy I entangled mysolf in a web ;ot falsehood that I mighb reach the protecting shore; bub I sank deeper and deeper into the flood. ; Proczna—who loves much musfc be forsiven much—and J Iqye^bu b'eypnd alf 'bounds—and you will not^you'-can hoi, part

with me in hatred !' " ' - ; She had Blowly risen and fawniriglj approached him, nearer and nearer, .like ?i hob, consuming flame whose forked tongui flatteringly plays with the storm wind t( quench itself. '■ I have neither to pardon nor to fprgiv© Excellent, for your intendedyfaithlesßness, thank Heaven, has made no woundjand I am artist enough to acknowledge the littlt comedy that you have played before me in its 1 difleren t acts as a very amusing; and skilfully played performance;'. J would, however^ like to give youl a wordiofadvice; Should you, when you are free,•sincerely wish tb love and be loved, change your rote in the earnest play; A " Lady Tartuffe " may find lovers' at any time, but never a husband"; for,, respect) is the only foundation upon which Hymen erects"his^golden throne.' - '■ - :F.olr'arnbmehfc she stood as thoughtransI fixed before him, with her countenance distorted as though she were ready ( to burat into a wild,, derisive,, laugh. ; She pressed her: balled hand against her ; breast aB though Bhe would restrain herteelf'from: burying'her nails in his eyes. ' I thank, you Tor your friendly advice, Janek Proczna,' said she in a hoarse voice; ' and I!8hall remember',ib. But you will notiinjure my name;and future?' •■'■■*:i '-* Not in the least.' . . • "* • . ' Then be merciful arid give those ; tw.o' notes back to mo.' As she stood gazing up ab him with an expiring glance,1 and her hands folded imploringly over.heir breaßb,^ she was the1 picture of'a crushed! miserable, woman. - ; ... - , ? .. , ' ..... Broczna understood the comedy. 'Of course these two documents are^ab anytime abyour disposition-r-under one condition !' He opened his fortefmilU and dreY forth thief papers. ' i In almost r greedy haste Leonie stretched forth her hand to take them. 'Give them, to me. I promise anything—everything.' ..-.He calmly drew the notes back. ' One • -thing for another, Excellenz. Will you please hand me Anna Regina's letters', referring: to the iMarchese da Branca affair.' -Again her voice burst like a his? from herlips : ' What value could these letters poasibly have for you ?' ■ -%i -* • - ' JBub little indeed for me,'; bub saiuch for -c t 'Branca.' ' "'' ''..'"**''.. '■\V':'"1 ■ *:'":': '^^ :j ' .A mocking laugh was the response, "blien throwing back her head; she measured him witn a derisive glance, from head to foot: ' Ah, now I begin; to comprehendiKNosf the scales fall from my eyes ! And;you— yoy dare to speak to me'of playing a comedy ? ■' Lady ■ Tavtuffe '. has found a^parbner-jr; a i'Mephistoplieies.' ' A noble mission ;v ■Hon.-, '1H5y ,,!.:,. J- . congratulate Jthe Mar- , chese on haying such a friend, and; applaud the concert singer^ JanekiProczna,' f6r;the noble talent which has enabled hins vto reach his goal by creeping;in bhe serf •pent's track. 1 , ■ -■- -. . An amused smile hovered about propzca's lijpa. 4lt is growing late in the riigh'b^Ej:cellenz. If we concludeto settle, the inatcer • of exchange—' ' ,'Thab would be a very difficult: matter' —Leonie's eyes flushed in wild triumph, y 'Those little notes were burned long ■■ ago.' 'Oh. . .. . that is very unfortunate, perhaps we can indueeI' them to rise again from their ashes—l shall wait), just five ihinutes.' ■ /. • ■ ;■■ ■ '■ , " ■ ' Perhaps you would like to remain the night,'said she, in a shrill, irritated voice. •Why riot? I' That ••certainly .would.; not be a matter of much .eurprise—especially as I have your invitation in'black and ■ white.' '■' . ' '■>•;*-■ 'Before I give up these, papers I would pormib myself to be stoned by the people ;■.'„: of, this city.' , ■; . ,' Oh, no, you certainly would nob •do that. Again, Excellenz, either those value--less papers^ or/I' go directly to ~ypur husband, His Excellency' -Yon Gartner.- :A pensioned Excellenz, or a calumniated v widows or a divorced wife, has no role to play in this world. Therefore! would moeb" earnestly urge you of two evils to accept the .lesser. '' ' f ■;:"'■_; ;■■-' ' ' _ v , :--: ;; ; . A moment her supple figure swayed with. .- impotebt fury, 'thenj drawing herself up suddenly : 'Promise me upon your honour .■■ that you will destroy these papers.' ■ ; 'Within four arid twenty hours !'• : 'And that no human being shall know.pf': their existence !'' v • You are aware that I have acted in the interest of a certain persbnage!' . : 'Well, let it be'so. And to the person-; agd, no matter. '• And' these>two notes— will their, existence die forever on your lips?' ' . - ...'My word.for ib.' r . ■■■ ■.{ . , /Leonie drew a longbreath and staggered" , toward her writing-desk. With trembling hand 9 she opened, the. secret drawer. 'Here. . . bake them!' ' Are bheee all?1 ■: .. • , ■'All.' '.■ -,:::■'■■{■■'■',: : . . •I thank you. Here is your programme ,- : and Flanders note. We are quite.' ■■■[To be Continued.)