Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-08-09
CHAPTER v.
The Game Grows Warmer.

Oul VI tive II ing pan lllO INC III C.
Charlie hsd just taken leave of the
|ofessor's wife. and had not made
10 turns from the little parlor ere
ran directly up against the enemy.
There stood the professor, glaring
him like a wild beast.
Will you again deny the truth, viii
| M" he said, endeavoring to calm
|nself lest he lose his voice.
Charlie surveyed him with amuse-
Int.
Yes; this time, l confess, it was
lr charming wife whom 1 have just
4. Do you know that two women,
lr wife and her cousin, Hildegarde,
Fe played a very neat little game
bn you?"
What? She and Hildegarde-upon
Pray, with what object?"
To arouse your jealousy; to make
realize how dear to your heart
same wife is; to take you out of
fr musty books and induce you to
tote a fair part of your time to the
man who has given up her life to
:"
he professor seemed stunned. Man,
this be true?" he gasped.
AS heaven itself She is in yonder.
and learn for yourself. You will
biye a warm welcome. Forgive as
wish to be forgiven, professor.
Sir, a thousand pardons. l shall
your kind advice. Our duel, then,
f. Oh, what an ass l have been!"
nd Charlie quite agreed with him.
6o ends the scene in the drama. Now
another which may not have quite
pleasant a finis," muttered Stuart.
gain he bore down upon the func-
ary who kept watch and ward
the books. When he had cor
d the clerk he made his request
wn, and a messenger was sent to
the countess and request her pres
in a nearby bijou parlor.
|nutes passed. Still no one came
lmmon him.
red of waiting he walked direct
the door of the little parlor and
ped inside.
voluntarily a groan welled up
his heart. He had entered this
to meet the countess, that
mer of men, who played with
Assadors and princes as though
were pawns upon a chessboard,
now he had found-Arline Brand!
ere she stood before him, more
tiful than even his ardent reeol-
bn had painted her, smile OF
bme dimpling her cheeks, the
eyes glowing with pleasure.
it was Airline Brand.
godsl if she and the countess
indeed one, he could ready com
End how men were ready to give
pnor and fortune for the hope Of
owe and favcr.
most a minute they stood thus,
evidently busy with train OF
Eht.
inc was the first to recover.
dropped the curtains and ad-
Id toward him. "Ah! you have
Mr.. Stuart" she said.
took her hand and pressed it.
less was returning it seemed.
IS, l promised, you know; and,
h l daresay I have legions of
ut least my word is as good as
ond. Pray, be seated" Offering
chair.
was quite himself now. and that
a wide-awake, ingenious young
ready to meet and wrestle with
lties as they arose.
opposite to her he sat down.
vas, at least, rare pleasure to
near her in this confidential
The delicate, violet odor that
ated her rustling garments was
breath of spring, and the
etism of her presence almost in
ted him.
have been wondering what as
ing chain of circumstances
bit a girl like me into such a
Lble place as that underground
bn?" turning toward the door
glance that did not escape the
Charlie Stuart.
II, yes, to some extent; but it
bt alone the desire to hear your
Jed story that brought me here,
e of warnings from the baron"
watched, but by no telltale pal
start did she betray the fact
he knew to whom he referred by
aron."
at other reason could influence
she asked, little eagerly.
natural desire to meet you
That wasn't wrong-you don't
o,o do Won 2p