The Red Cloud chief., 1902-05-09

Then our stratcgcm worked" she
laughed.
Pardon my ignorance, madam,
but I am inclined to think it worked
only too well. since I. an entirely limo
cent man. am booked to meet the pro
fcssor in a duel tomorrow nj sunrise,
because. forsooth, he chanccd to sec
me place a lady In a cab lady who
had golden locks. and whom the old
| mean the Jealous professor-chose to
fancy was the wife of his bosom"
The lady laughed aloud.
"ln a duel, He fight for me! oh,
charming! 1t is toe good. What VIII
Cousin Hildegarde say"
I'm sure | don't know; but I'm
anxious to convince This old flre-cater
that nc has gotten hold Of The wrong
man. and I am certain you will assist
me to prove my innocence"
"Oh, sir. most certainly; especially
az there is no man In the matter at
all. and the object OF our little csca-
pade has been accomplished. since
you have been put to more or less in
totNflli'ht' III NV bl'ti'''''' " WYNN
be only fair for me to explain"
The story was nothing new. though
it's sequel gave evidence Of consider
able originality, thanks to- the appear
ance OF the bright-witted llildegardc
on the scene.
Madam and the professor had not
been the happiest couple in the world.
H., v.allal 20 hiy hnnEs 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 u 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
a few lines simply signed IL. 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.
"To think-he would even fight, and
for me-" she said. almost incredu-
lousy.
Indeed. he is distracted enough to
defy Fate itself. But. madam, you
may do me a favor" boldly.
You have but to name II, sir"
This lady whom ! had the pleas
ure of serving-this lady whom your
furious husband saw me put into a
ca~rriage-gave me a card and invited
me to call upon her here at the hotel
tonight"
"Ah! yes" with a bright smile.
she gave me a card. ! did not
look at it 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. it Is my carte-de-visite; but.
on my honor, Meinherr Stuart, l did
not give It to you"
That | know very well. What I
wish to discover is, who did? There
is a 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 X
changed cards with her. Can you not
remember the circumstances
The professors wife nodded eagerly.
well do I remember; II was only
yesterday. She quite charmed me
with her naivete and her fiattery. |
had never before met one so fascinat-
ing"
1T was the Countess Isolde Bra
bant."
"And-her name?" asked Charlie.
his heart sinking.
ITO he continued