Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-08-02

mucn against my Will, L assure you,
mixed up in your domestic arrange
ments, and have come here to throw
myself upon your mercy and beg your
gentle indulgence as an intercessor.
The lady looked astonished.
"Sir. explain Who seeks to do
you harm, and of whom am / to beg
indulgence?" she asked.
Madam, there is at large in Ant
werp a man who has sworn to have
the life of the wretch who has robbed
his quiet home of its one bright jewel
who prowls hither and yon, regard
less of his personal appearance,
breathing vengeance, and ready to
sacrifice all he has on earth if he can
but avenge his honor
You really mean that the profess
sor is here in Antwerp"
Raging around like mad bull"
THAT at last he has left his musty
old books?"
VERY much in evidence, I assure
you"
Then our strategem worked" she
laughed.
Pardon my ignorance. madam,
but l am inclined to think it worked
only too well. since l, 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 lady in a cab-a 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.
'In a duel! He fight for me! Oh.
charming 1t is too good What will
Cousin Hildegarde say?"
I'm sure l don't know; but I'm
anxious to convince this old fire-eater
that he has gotten hold of the wrong
man, and l 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"
The story was nothing new, though
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 strategem whereby the
student should be aroused and made
to realize how dear to his heart this
wife of his really might be.
1t 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 H. 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 a favor" boldly.
You have but to name it, sir"
This lady whom l had the pleas
ure of serving-this lady whom your
furious husband saw me put into
carriage-gave me a card and invited
me to call upon her here at the hotel
tonight"
"Ahl yes" with a bright smile.
"She gave me a card. l 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
tie field of honor. l 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 l know very we'll. What L
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 ex-
changed cards with her. Can you not
remember the circumstance"
The professors wife nodded eagerly.