Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-06-19

professors vile, and mad not ihdue
two turns from the little parlor ere
he ran directly up against the enemy.
There stood the professor, glaring
ut him like a wild beast.
''will you again deny the truth, VII
lain?" he said, endeavoring to calm
himself lest he lose his voice.
Charlie surveyed him with amuse-
ment.
Yes: this time. confess. 1t was
your charming wife whom | have Just
left. Do you know that two women,
your wife and her cousin, Hildegarde.
have played very neat little game
upon your"
What? She and Hildegarde-upon
me? Pray, with what object?
ITO arouse your jealousy; to make
you realize how dear to your heart
this same wife is; to take you out OF
your musty books and induce you TO
devote fair part of your time to the
woman who has given up her life to
you"
The professor seemed stunned. Man,
can this be true?" he gasped.
.As heaven itself. She is in yonder.
Go and learn for yourself. You VIII
receive a warm welcome. Forgive as
you wish to be forgiven. professor
"Sir, a thousand pardons. l shall
take your kind advice. Our duel, then.
is off. Oh, what an ass | have been!
And Charlie quite agreed with him.
L. A.. INT ha drap ma Nnu
for another which may not have quite
so pleasant finis." muttered Stuart.
Again he bore down upon the func-
tionary who kept watch and ward
over the books When he had cor
nered the clerk he made his request
known, and a messenger was sent to
find the countess and request her pres
ence In a nearby bijou parlor.
Minutes passed. Still no one came
to summon him.
Tired OF waiting he walked direct
ly to the door of the little parlor and
stepped inside.
Involuntarily a groan welled up
from his heart. He had entered this
room to meet the countess, that
charmer of men. who played with
ambassadors and princes as though
they were pawns upon chessboard.
and now he had found-Arline Brand.
There she stood before him, more
beautiful than even his ardent recol-
lection had painted her. a smile OF
welcome dimpling her cheeks, the
azure eyes glowing with pleasure.
Aes, II was Airline Brand.
We gods! il she and the countess
were indeed one, he could readily COM
prehend how men were ready to give
up honor and fortune for the hope OF
her love and favor.
Almost a minute they stood thus,
each evidently busy with train OF
thought.
Airline was the first to recover.
She dropped the curtains and ad-
ganced toward him. "Ah. You have
come. Mr.. Stuart" she said.
He took her hand and pressed it.
Boldness was returning 1t seemed.
Eyes, promised. you know; and.
though | daresay | have legions OF
faults, at least my word is as good as
my bond. Pray. be seated" Offering
her a chair.
He was quite himself now. and that
meant a wide-awake. ingenious young
man, ready to meet and wrestle with
difficulties as they arose.
Just opposite to her he sat down.
1t was. at least. rare pleasure to
h., hAr In this ial
mood. The delicate violet odor that
permeated her rustling garments was
like breath of spring, and the
magnetism of her presence almost in
toxicated him.
you have been wondering what as
tonishing chain of circumstances
brought girl like ME into such a
miserable place as that underground
dungeon?" turning toward the door
with a glance that did not escape the
eye of Charlie Stuart.
well, yes, to some extent; but it
was not alone the desire to hear your
promised story that brought me here.
He watched, but by no telltale pal
lor or start did she betray the fact
that she knew to whom he referred by
the baron"
What other reason could influence
your" she asked, little eagerly.
THE natural desire to meet you
again. That wasn't wrong-you don't
blame me. do you?"
Perhaps | should not--you have al
ready been so good a friend; but IL
acquaintance with me is to bring dis
aster or even danger to you. II might
be better II you forgot me-
He detected a plaintive little note in
in arms at once.
II am not in the habit of deserving
any one who is my friend because, per
haps, II may mean trouble or even
danger to me to continue my acquain-
lance"
She seemed deeply affected by his
words.
You overwhelm me with kindness,
Mr.. Stuart"
Nonsense. The favor is just the
other way. 1t is q rare pleasure for
me to serve you.'
and yet l can hardly refuse. for.
Heaven knows, I am in great trouble,
and need friend. If ever young
woman did"
Compose yourself, | beg; and be-
gin. please"
Charlie believed he was about to
hear some news OF more than ordin-
airy Importance. In Imagination he
could picture the remarkable young
widow who created such furore all
over Europe. She might resemble Ar
line in many ways. but surely such
charmer of men could not possibly
assume the air OF innocence which this
young woman carried with her.