The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-08-20

had entered the summer house,
now wrigcled forward in confusion OIL
hearing the ambassadors voice.
Did you call me. sir:" he asked.
Il most surely did call you, Mr..
Nish. cried Popof. And | told you
I was certain | saw lady, or. rather.
lady'S skirt, disappearing into that
summer house. Who was she:'
"I-I don't know, Your eXcellency'
tremblingly lied NiSh.
you ought to know scolded PopoI.
"You were standing nearer the sum
mer house than | was. Didn't you see
her At all?'
Eyes. sir-yes. saw her, if may
say so. but don't know who she was.
] really don't. T.
"Was she alone?
"NO, your eXcellency, not quite alone.
There was. if may say so-there was
a gentleman with her. At least ne
looked like a gentleman, but l didn't
recognize him either"
"Wen, we'll WELL" chuckled the am
bassador, seating himself in a garden
chair and eying the summer house
with delightful interest, "A little fir
tation, eh? Gone in there TO Whisper
sweet nOthingS where no one can IL
terrupt 'em. ! wonder who they are.
Now, | really wonder! Mr.. Nish,
would not for the world have you think
am the least bit curious. But-Ill
lust sit here awhile, for joke, and
watch them come out. In the mean
time, Mr.. Nish, NOu might slip around
to the rear of the summer house and
see If there is another door there. If
there is, you might lock it. Under
stand?'
"Ye-yes, your excellency." mumbled
panic stricken Nish, scuttling away
among the bushes. The little clerk
never paused until he had found Sonia.
To her he poured forth the whole
story, gazing with wild horror as she
broke into peal Of uncomfortable
laughter.
Suddenly she grew sober.
"Her husband will never forgive
her," she murmured, half to herself.
"He will never understand that it's
lust a silly, harmless, sentimental talk
they're having"
Memories Of the ways Of jealous
Marsovian husbands flashed into her
mind. In that primitive fatherland
wives had been beaten-yes, and muir
Cop,afhinO pnot hQ
done, and done quickly"
"Don't worryw she consoled the ter
.ifed Nish. "Say nothing to any one
else. I'll get Nine. Popoff out Of the
scrape II can"
Before Nish could reply she had dis
appeared down a path leading to the
rear door Of the summer house.
Meantime Popoff, his curiosity mas
tering him, had left his seat Stealing
forward on tiptoe, he put his eye to
the keyhole of the wicker door.
He had scarcely bent over this when
Danilo, happening to pass by on his
way to the gate, paused in amazement
at sight Of the Marsoyian ambassador
thus assuming the role Of Paul Pry.
"Why, hello, old chap" cried the
prince "What are you up tor
"Hushw warned Popon in an excited
whisper. "a lady went into the sum-
mer house few minutes ago with q
gentleman. l can't see them very
clearly. There's too much fun In the
keyhole. But they're sitting opposite
each other with only little table be-
tween them. The lady's back Is to
me, but It somehow looks familiar.
The man is talking as earnestly as If
he were trying to borrow money. Now
hes bending across and kissing her
hand, and she doesn't seem to mind.
It's-why, bless my soul, it's that fel-
low De Jolidon? Well, we'll! OF all
things. Now, If only the lady would
turn her face so could see her.
"Come away, sir" begged Danilo,
the whole situation bursting upon his
mind. He caught Popof's sleeve, but
the ambassador shook him of.
"Let me alone.~ he whispered Cant
you see what it all means? 1t means
we've found the lady De Jolidon's In
love with, the very woman we've
both been looking for! And now II
she'll Just turn her head little I'll be
able to see her face, and them
"Then you don't know who she is"
Queried Danilo.
mo. But ZIP
"Then take my advice and don't try
to find out. Let well enough alone.
Come away, old chap, and"-
"No, no! There; you pulled my heaa
away just as she was turning around.
I'd have seen her in another second
They're getting up. Maybe they'll go
out by the other door, and then shant
be able 10 know who
"Let Inc do the looking" suggested
DaniIo. IF either of US has to play
the eavesdropper Tll'-
NO. 1t is my place" asserted Pop
of. But III bet you a hundred francs