Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-08-29

could be painted, and it was settled
that he should ask her to marry him.
1t happened that 1 called-by invita-
tion-at the flat occupied by Iris and
her chaperone, and was shown into
the conservatory by the servant. Then
came the denouement. Iris. in ignor-
ance OF my presence, came into the
conservatory with her chaperone and
in loud voice let me into their
secrets, which may be summed up in
few words. Iris was an adventures
in search of 4 husband. The chaper
one was no relation, but employed
paid-by Iris to introduce her to So
ciety and likely husband. The de.
tective to whom Bob had applied for
the character was Iris's cousin, Nor
ton Scrubbs; hence the rosiness of the
character"
Sand these two women are in this
town p exclaimed Bertha.
''Bob Pallant's information is usu-
ally correct, and I'm not disposed to
doubt it. You see, he was so savage
at having been done by those people
that he vowed vengeance, and as he
couldn't attack the woman he swore
he would be the undoing of that de-
tective agent-Norton Scrubs. And
Bob Pallant is generally equal to his
word"
Suppose you meet those people
here?"
81 shall cut them, of course"
"But, but you admitted that-that
you loved-Iris-o once! %
My heart gave great leap Of de-
light. Bertha's words, the suppressed
eagerness of her tone, the faltering IN
her sentence, all pointed to one end.
One long tete-a, tete of the previous
evening, though it had been chiefly
concerned about bygone incidents
the sort which grow dearer as they
grow older-hed left its mark, l
glanced quickly in her direction, but
her face was averted, and only very
flushed neck and very red little ear
wero visible. They were enough.
"Aliss Bertha" replied, impress
sively, 'some people grow both old
and wise all of leap. Pm one of
them. The love of foolish boy is
how far below the level OF that of
sensible man? What relation does
the love-sickness ofyouth bear to the
heart-ache of manhood? And even
assuming that had never been duped
to the extent that Iris Maypel duped
me, even assuming"
I don't know how long 1 should
have talked or Bertha would have
listened hadshe not interrupted me.
"Look!" she said. "Here come
the Comtesse d'Angiere and Madame
Fleuvre. How jolly! won't they be
surprised to see you! oh, it is fun.
I'm SO glad we came this way"
looked in the direction indicated
and saw
] could scarcely believe saw Alright
then, but now, when recall the scene
the long, wooded avenue with it's
pinky-blossomed rose hedges, the
waving palms, the bushy eucalyptus,
the clumps of odorous orange trees
with their pretty white blooms inter-
sprinkled with golden fruit it is diff
ficult to realize now that the prim lit
tie figure in widowed garb of Partisan
daintiness quickly approaching us
was Iris Maypel, and the elderly COM
panion was "Auntie" of London fame.
But they were.
Ihad no time to plan an action. No
sooner was L assured that my eyes
were still in normal condition than we
met and Bertha was saying in an
ecstatic tone---
"My dear Confess, see who have
brought you'll"
The Comtesse extended her hand,
while the most dubious smile / ever
beheld grew on her face. 1 obeyed
my impulse.
"This is not an unexpected pleas.
ure," ] said, politely, "since Miss
Bertha has intimated your presence in
Nice, Madame la Comtesse. pur-
posely emphasized the title "Never-
theless, it is n pleasure to renew an
acquaintance here SO pleasantly ma
tured in London. NJ. 10 Comte,
trust, is well and---"
1t was said with intent. Having
started with q lie meant to act IL out.
| broke off suddenly, for two reasons.
Bertha tugged vigorously at my coat
sleeve. and Iris alias the Comtesse,
burst into most realistic fit of weep
ing. expect the excitement of the
moment aided her.
/ apologized in tones SO contrite
that startled myself with my APP
parent sincerity, and Iris and her
chaperone bade us adieu.
Aswe returned listened for Ber-
tha's merited rebuke for having for
gotten her warning anent the Comte's
death, but l listened in vain. In fact,
SO engrossed was she in thought that
it was only when L had thrice asked a
question that she replied.
''To what stage of intimacy have
you and the Comtesse reached" ]
asked for the third time.
"Why do you ask ?" Bertha re-
piled evasively.
"Because l am more than anxious
to know"
s'Mother and I met her at Monaco. 81