The Elbert County tribune., 1902-07-31
~Then our stratesem rorked.~ ..

Then our stratesem worked shs
Laughed
Pardon my ignorance, madam.
but I am inclined TO think It worked
only too well. since I. an entirely inno-
cent man, am booked to meet the pro-
fessor in a duel tomorrow at sunrise.
because. forsooth. he chanced to see
me place a lady in q cab-a lady who
had golden locks. and whom the old
I mean the Jealous profemor-chose to
fancy was the wife of his bosom"
The lady laughed aloud.
"fn a dueli He fight for mel Oh.
charming, II is too goodi What will
Cousin Hildegarde say7"
I'm sure don't know: but I'm
anxious to convince this old fire-eater
that he has gotten hold OF the wrong
man. and am certain you will assist
me to prove my innocence"
"Oh, sir, most certainly; especially
as there is no man in the matter at
all, and the object of our little esca-
pade has been accomplished. Since
you have been put to more or less in
convenience In the premises. It would
be only fair for me to explain"
nt rtOty was nOthihb htWs tnouku
its sequel gave evidence of consider
able originality. thanks to the appear
ance of the bright-witted Hildegarde
on the scene.
Madam and the professor had not
been the happiest couple in the world.
He was welded to his books. and
neglected his pretty wife. Long had
she suffered. and doubtless would
have continued to do so, only that his
cousin took the bull by the horns and
suggested a strategem whereby the
student should be aroused and made
to realize how dear to his heart this
wife of his really might be.
II was the old principle over again
of not missing the water until the
well ran dry.
And one day, when the learned man
found his blue-eyed spouse gone, and
few lines simply signed II. begging
her by her love to meet the writer In
Antwerp, which note she had appar-
emily dropped in the haste of her de-
parture. the professor threw his books
to the winds and started In pursuit
ITO think-he would even fight. and
for mel" she said. almost incredu-
lously.
Indeed, he is distracted enough to
defy Fate itself. But. madam, you
may do me favor boldly.
You have but to name 1t. SIR"
This lady whom l had the pleas
ure OF serving-this lady whom your
furious husband saw me put into a
carriage-gave me a card and invited
me to call upon her here at the hotel
tonight"
"Ahl yes" with bright smile.
"She gave me card did not
look at 1t Just then. but after the ridi-
culous encounter with your husband.
In which he accused me of stealing his
wife. and threatened me with death on
the field of honor. took occasion to
investigate. and found-this.'
He handed the card to her.
One glance. and the professors wife
laughed.
Yes. 1t is my carte-de-visite; but.
on my honor. Meinherr Stuart. did
not give 1t to you"
That l know very we'll. What l
wish to discover is, who did? There
is young lady. also with such gold
en- hair and blue eyes as you yourself
possess; she is stopping at this hotel.
Now. you must have at some time ex-
changed cards with her. Can you not
remember the circumstance?'
The professors wife nodded eagerly.
well do l remember; 1t was only
yesterday. She quite charmed me
with her naivete and her fiattery. ]
had xavar hafora rnat opa an faecfnat
ing"
ut was the Countess Isolde Bra
bant."
'And-her name?" asked Charlie.
his heart sinking.