Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1902-08-08
CHAPTER v.
The Game Grows Warmer.

professors wife. and had not made
two turns from the little parlor ere
he ran directly up against the enemy
There stood the professor. slnr'hs
| at him like a wild beast.
"will you again deny the truth. VII
iain?" he said. endeavoring TO calm
himself lest he lose his voice.
Charlie surveyed him with amuse-
ment
Yes; this time. confess, II was
| your charming wife whom l have Just
left. Do you know that two women.
your wife and her cousin. Hiidesarde.
have played a very neat little game
upon your"
what? She and HIidegarde-upon
mey 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 lie to
you"
The professor seemed stunned. Man.
can this be trucf'' he .asped.
'As heaven itself She is In yonder.
Go and learn for yourself. You VIII
.eiye a warm welcome. Forgive Us
you wish to be forgiven. professor"
"Sir. n thousand pardons. ! shall
take your kind advice. Our duel. then.
is OF. oh. what an ass have been'"
And Charlie quite agreed with him.
so ends the scene In the drama. Now
for another which may not have quite
80 pleasant, n hnls." muttered Stuart
Again he bore down upon the fune-
tionary who kept watch and ward
over the books when he had cor
nercd the clerk he made his request
known. and messenger was sent to
md the countess and request her pres
cnce In n nearby bijou parlor.
to summon him.
Tired OF waiting he walked direct
iy TO the door OF the little parlor and
stepped inside.
Inyoiuntarliy Eroan ~wclied up
from his heart He had entered this
room to meet the countess. that
charmcr OF men. who played with
ambassadors and princes rs though
they were pawns upon chessboard.
and now he had found-Arlinc Brandt
There she stood before him. more
beautiful than even his ardent rccol-
lection had painted her. smile OF
welcome dimpling her checks. the
azure eyes glowing with pleasure.
Yes. II was Airline Brand.
Yc gods! II she and the countess
were indeed one. he could readily COM
prchend how men were ready to give
f.E h.. nf
her love and favor.
Almost minute they stood thus.
each evidently busy with train OF
thought.
Airline was the first to recover.
She dropped the curtains and ad-
vanccd toward him. "Ah! you have
come. Mr.. Stuart" she said.
He took her hand and pressed It
Boldness was returning II seemed.
yes. promised. you know; and.
though I darcsay have legions OF
faults. at least my word is rs good as
my bond. Pray. be seated" Offering
her n chair.
He was quite himself now. and that
meant n widc-awake. ingenious young
man. ready to meet and wrestle with
difficulties us they arose.
Just opposite to her he sat down.
It was. at least. rare pleasure to
be SO near her in this confidential
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
miserable place as that underground
dungeon" turning toward the door
with n glance that did not escape the
eye of Charlie Stuart.
well, yes, to some extent: but 1t
was not alone the desire to hear your
promised story that brought me here,
in spite OF warnings from the baron"
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 your"
Perhaps i should not-you nave al
ready been so good friend; but II
acquaintance with me is to bring dis
aster or even danger to you, 1t might
be better II you forgot me-"
He detected a plaintive little note in
this, and his chivalrous spirit was up
| in arms at once
II am not in the habit OF deserving
any one who is my friend because, per-
haps, it 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 rare pleasure for
me to serve you"
And yet / can hardly refuse, for.
Heaven knows. l 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