Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1903-02-27
CHAPTER V.
The Game Grows Warmer.

Charlie had just taken leave OF the
professors wife, and had not made
two turns from the little parlor ere
he ran directly up against the enemy.
There stood the professor, glaring
at him like a wild beast.
Twill you again deny the truth, vii
lain?" he said, endeayoring to calm
himself lest he lose his voice.
Charlie surveyed him with amuse-
ment.
eyes; this time, l confess, it was
your charming wife whom l have just
left. Do you know that two women,
your wife and her cousin, Hildegarde,
have played a very neat little game
upon your"
What? She and Hildegarde-upon
me? Pray, with what obiect?"
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 a fair part of your time to the
woman who has given up her life to
you"
The professor seemed stunned. Man,
can this be true?" he gasped.
"As heaven itself She is in yonder.
Go and learn for yourself. You will
receive a warm welcome. Forgive as
you wish to be forgiven, professor"
"Sir, thousand pardons. l shall
take your kind advice. Our duel, then,
is off. Oh, what an ass l have been!"
And Charlie quite agreed with him.
$50 ends the scene in the drama. Now
for another which may not have quite
so pleasant a fnis," muttered Stuart.
Again he bore down upon the func-
tionary who kept watch and ward
over the books. When he had cor
nered the clerk he made his request
known, and a messenger was sent to
find the countess and request her pres
ence in a nearby bijou parlor.
Minutes passed. Still no one came
to summon him.
Tired of waiting he walked direct
ly to the door of the little parlor and
stepped inside.
Involuntarily groan welled up
from his heart He had entered this
room to meet the countess, that
charmer of men, who played with
and princes as though
they were pawns upon a chessboard,
and now he had found-Arline Brand!
There she stood before him, more
beautiful than even his ardent recol-
lection had painted her, a smile OF
welcome dimpling her cheeks, the
azure eyes glowing with pleasure.
Yes, it was Airline Brand.
Ye godsl if she and the countess
were indeed one, he could readily COM
prehend how men were ready TO give
I'D honor and fortune for the hope OF
her love and favor.
Almost a minute they stood thus,
each evidently busy with train OF
thought.
Airline was the first to recover.
She dropped the curtains and adj
toward him. "Ahi you have
come, Mr.. Stuart" she said.
He took her hand and pressed it.
Boldness was returning it seemed.
Eyes, 1 promised, you know; and,
though l daresay 1 have legions OF
faults, at least my word is as good as
ny bond. Pray, be seated offering
her a chair.
He was quite himself now, and that /
meant a wide-awake, ingenious young
nan, ready to meet and wrestle with
difficulties as they arose.
Just opposite to her he sat down.
1t was, at least, a rare pleasure to
,e so near her in this confidential
mood. The delicate, violet odor that
,ermeated her rustling garments was
ike a breath of spring, and the
of her presence almost in
oxicated him.
"You have been wondering what as
chain of circumstances
brought a girl like me into such a
miserable place as that underground
turning toward the door
With glance that did not escape the
we of Charlie Stuart.
"Well, yes, to some extent; but it
vas not alone the desire to hear your
story that brought me here,
n spite of warnings from the baron"
He watched, but by no telltale pal
or or start did she betray the fact
hat she knew to whom he referred by
the baron"
what other reason could influence
ou?" she asked, little eagerly.
"The natural desire to meet you
gain. That wasn't wrong-you don't
lame me, do you?"
perhaps should not-you have al
eady been so good a friend; but If
cquaintance with me is to bring dis
ster or even danger to you, it might
g better e you forgot me-"