The Elbert County tribune., 1902-08-07

woman did"
Compose yourself. beg; and be-
gin. please"
Charlie believed he was about TO
hear some news OF more than ordin-
ary 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.
AT the same time he felt impelled to
relate the adventure he had experienced
with the professor. and even mention
that he had been solemnly warned by
the baron.
When she heard that Peterhoff be-
lieved her to be the celebrated adven-
turess, she hung her head.
Charlie was overcome with confu-
sion.
Il have distressed you; and yet |
beg you to believe meant 1t all kind
| ly. 1t was a silly thing for Peterhoff
| to do. but even the shrewdest OF men
of his stamp make absurd blunders
sometimes. His last famous one cost
Russia her Gar. Remember. / never
for once took any stock in his ridicu-
lous idea. II was all a mistake"
Then the maid looked up.
Her eyes were sparkling with real
tears. but Charles haste to assure her
of his positive belief in her innocence
of the charge had brought smile to
her face.
''It is dreadful. even to be taken for
such notorious woman. don't you
think? But perhaps should look at
1t reasonably. and believe the baron
has made an excusable blunder. Real
ly. some OF the garcons here in the ho-
tel have addressed me as countess. and
l have been puzzled to account for
1t until now, so we must look alike
| demure little English lassie. and
she clever. designing Russian dip
lomat.'
Charlie nodded, eagerly.
What she said seemed so very rea-
sonable. and she took it much better
than he expected.
But he could easily discover that
Airline was not wholly at her ease.
Frequently she cast onick glances in
the direction OF the door.
This fact had come to his attention
some time back: but Charlie did not
find the least reason to suspect that
the baron had aught to do with 1t.
She seemed to hesitate, perhaps
hardly knowing Just how to begin her
story.
ALLOW me to remark, In the begin
ming" said Charlie, that. while am
ready and anxious to serve you. and
stand ready to do all that may become
a man--if there Is any reason why YOU
should wish to keep these things Sc
cret, will try to help you, even while
cropping in complete Ignorance"
"oh. no." she answered quickly; sit
fullest confidence. was only endeav-
oring to collect my thoughts SO that
might know just how to begin. And.
besides, have natural feeling of
shame. because the person who has.
l sadly fear, been plotting in secret
against me, is one who should be my
best friend upon earth-my fatherl"
Young though she was, this beauti-
full girl had known what 1t was to sup
with poverty, to be left alone and
friendless in the world and to meet
with the most unexpected and glorious
fortune.
Her story. even when briefly told,
was series OF dramatic surprises. such
as are well fitted for the stage. yet
occur so seldom in real life.
She barely mentioned her earlier
years, save to tell how her father. a
sea captain. had been lost as it was
believed. at sea; and with her mother
she had fought the grim wolf In Lon
don, sewing. as such people of refine
ment reduced to poverty must do in
order to earn bread.
Then came her mothers death. fol-
lowed by her bitter fight against the
world. and especially the persecution
of dashing gentleman, who seemed
determined that she should marry him
no matter II dislike and disgust took
the part of love In her breast,
Then the wonderful freak of fortune
that brought Airline in contact with
an eccentric old aunt who was exceed
ingly wealthy.
II was the old story-Arline's mother
had married beneath her. and from
that hour had been as dead to her
relatives; but when kind Provi-
dence threw the forlorn young girl un-
der the hlgh-ssepping carriage horses
of the dowager Lady Wallis. and she
later on discovered that this lovely
creature was her own flesh and blood
a sudden love for the girl sprang up
In her withered old heart. which re-
suited in her adopting this niece as
her sole heiress.
Two years later Airline was bereft
of her eccentric. but kind relative, and
found herself once more alone in the