The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-05-06


quite a different person. And what
does Mr.. Devine do when he meets
him and learns his identity? Seizes
him forcibly, drags him into the near
est building and locks him up without
law or license"
"Father, l can't believe such a story
Where did you hear such a preposter-
Gus taleg
From Mr.. Devine himself"
But how? Where did all this oc-
curY
only this afternoon"
Since he was here? But you have
not been away. Then-then 1t was
here on our grounds. Do you mean to
say that Mr.. Devine has some one
locked up in one of our buildingsT
Mr. Hewington could only take ref
uge behind his dignity.
THAT is quite sufficient my dear
We will not discuss Mr.. Devine and
his peculiar doings any further, If you
please. The subject is one upon which
l do not care to dwell just now.
must go to my desk. Good night"
1t is hardly fair. though, to specu-
late as to the innermost thoughts of
the Countess Vecchi at that trying
moment. We know that she was rath-
er a nice young woman, very good to
look at and more or less entertaining
as a companion. Suppose she did mar
row her eyelids and bite to a ripper
redness her gracefully curved under
lip. We may even admit that she
crushed the meshes of the silver girdle
until there were red marks on her
white palm. She was no pallid com
pendulum of all the feminine virtues.
she was a young person of high spir-
IT'S and ready passions. And she could
not wholly forget those stories about
La Belle Savoie and the dinner to
chorus girls. Throwing a lace affair
over her head and shoulders, she Slip
ped quietly out through the big en-
trance hall to the wide veranda and
down one Of the paths leading toward
quite dark. as the old moon was now
rising late, but she knew exactly where
she was going.
She saw something which made her
lean forward and strain her eyes with
intent interest. From one of the
smallest buildings. low stone struc-
ture, which she judged must be the
icehouse. issued a CHEEKY beam of
light. Some one was standing in the
half opened doorway. Only for an in
slant did this spectacle remain visible
Then the door was shut with a bang,
and the yellow ray disappeared. A
moment later the countess thought
she could distinguish a man making
his way across the lawn toward the
servants wing of the house.
Now, all this seemed very singular
to the Countess Vecchi. So, keeping
the figure of the man in sight, she be-
gan to walk parallel with him in order
to see where he was going. When she
saw he was making directly for the
side door of the south wing she grasp
ed her skirts firmly and started to
run, and she overlook him.
why, Timmins. is it your"
Obviously it was. On one hand he
balanced tray; in the other he car
ried formidable looking club.
''Lor', miss, what a start you gave
mev' said he.
did |? I'm sure | didn't intend to
frighten you. Timmins. But | saw
you coming, and there was something
wanted to ask you. What is it you
have there, Timmins?"
'Why. miss. I've been a-givin' the
puppies their supper"
'Yes, / know. But | thought you
usually carried their food in a pail
What have they had tonightT And
before Timmins could protest she had
lifted the linen cover which had been
thrown over the tray. A variety of
dishes stood revealed.
"Why, Timmins, surely the coach
puppies do not eat French chops!'
He was ready witted, was Timmins.
"Lor', no, miss, not as a general
thing. But this is a special occasion,
you know. very particular occasion.
miss"
Indeed! And what very particular
special occasion might this be to call
for French chops?"
"Why. don't you remember-four
months ago tonight? Course it's a bit
Of foolishness, but Mrs. Timmins
would have it that way. Puppies 'as
birthdays says she, Just the same -
But puppies don't eat baked pota-
toes, even on birthday anniversaries.
do they, TimminsT
"Baked potatoes! Do they? Why,
miss. they just loves 'em, SO they do"
"And peas and bread and butter and
jam, Timmins?"
"It's bit wonderful, miss, but them
puppies has the most educated appe-
tites Of any coach puppies / ever see."
No doubt the countess should have
resented each barefaced deception.
She did make a weak attempt at a
frown. but 1t turned into a smile and
then a ripping laugh. in which Tim
Minis Joined genuinely.
And the Countess vecchi tripped Off
into the darkness toward the front