Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-05-09

he was free from the unwelcOme at
tentions Of the men who had watched
him so closely, and who had been TAX
ing drastic measures to get him into
their power, at the time the smash oc-
Cured.
Just then Paul heard voice from
close by, voice that calmly begged
assistance a voice that showed no
trace of fear or alarm.
He knew it belonged to the English
man, and with all speed he made
for the spot, eager to render Sir Noel
what help he could.
No doubt the other was surprised to
hear an English voice address him,
but under the conditions he did not
ask any explanation until his limbs
had been extricated from their pre-
dicament.
"Any serious damage, Sir Noel?"
asked Paul. seeing the other make a
cursory examination.
Thank heaven, have come out
better even that l might have expect
ed. A beastly piece Of business, isn't
it? But you seem to know me-we
have met somewhere. l am glad to
shake your hand and thank you for the
help you gave"
AS he did so, he leaned forward, en-
deavoring to see Pauls face.
"r am Paul Rhinelander-we met
under peculiar conditions at Heidel-
berg" Paul said, quietly. A.
The big Briton squeezed his hand
some more.
by Jove! You cut out some brave
work for us-thirteen stitches, my boy,
it took to cover that fellows cheek. A
rare mark he'll carry for life. Glad
to meet you again, doubly glad to be
under obligations. But l may be the
only doctor at hand. See you later,
my boy"
| He hurried off to where a fire was
burning, and in which quarter they
were carrying the injured as fast as
rescued from the wreck.
Just then shrek from feminine
lungs somewhere in the distance re-
minded Paul Of what he had seen.
/ Was the Countess Aimee on the
train. as he had some reason to be-
lieve? He hurried to the carriage
where he remembered having seen her,
but when he looked the nest was
empty.
A man with lantern rendered him
some assistance, since by the aid Of
the light he discovered certain articles
in the snug nest so recently occupied
by a lady as served to prove her iden-
tity. ~-
Then his suspicious We're not over
drawn, and she had been the genius
whose hand manipulated the strings
by which he had been trapped.
The accident had, unfortunately,
taken place at lonely part Of the
road and this assistance could hardly
come before dawn.
Curiosity caused Paul to draw closer
to the fire and survey the groups near
by.
He was searching for the countess,
and though the women were hardly in
condition to appear presentable, still
Paul believed he could have recognized
! the adventures in any guise.
To his surprise he failed to discover
| her! Then he turned to make lnquIr-
les Of Sir Noel, and in this way dis
cover the truth; but before he reach
ed the doctor, the female assistant,
who was fitting about like an angel
of mercy, binding up wounds and car
rying water to parched lips, came be-
| /, n,,I fhn hi G,,1
and Paul was stunned to discover in
this tender-hearted' sister of charity
the woman he had looked upon as a
cold FLOODED adventures, Countess
Aimee.
The sight OF the countess in the role
of charity gave Paul queer sensation
he had seen her rope in the dupes in
Paris, men with titles and fortunes
! falling into her net galore. but this
was new feature which he had never
dreamed could exist in her nature.
| It only went to show that she was
a woman after all, with tender heart
beneath the neutrality-suspicious., had
fortune been more kindly in surround
ing her with luxury she might have
been blessing rather than curse to
mankind.
At any rate Paul found himself con-
doning her faults and feeling more
charitably disposed toward her.
She had seen and recognized him,
and instantly came to his side.
"The doctor told me you were I'M
hurt" she said and he knew then
that his safety had been upon her
mind while she worked.
Il regret to tell you that one of your
friends has vanished and the other has
a broken leg-possibly you have found
him yonder," he remarked.
She did not blush at all, but simply
laughed.
Eyes, I have attended to him. He
groans horribly and has not the nerve
of a child. No doubt you condemn me
for using such heroic measures to
accomplish my purpose, but am be-
lever in the adage that the end justi-
| fies the means. You know that which
may ruin me should it come out, and
| am surely at liberty to defend my
SELF. BeSldeS-l nad Otner reasons LOT
my actions"
Paul knew what she meant, and his
old feeling Of repulsion came back.
Such determination appalled, him
was it possible to escape from the
clutches of this wonderful woman
once she set her mind upon his cap
ture?
A less stubborn man might have
yielded to what he was pleased to call
the inevitable, but Paul was saved
Tram 4laia 3afo-. h,z tho 1,aonao1.v Of a