The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-04-22

en- before the sun was fairly up for
the purpose of interviewing his pris-
oner?
The Countess Vecchi was beginning
to wish that she hadn't come. after
all. Who could say what sort of
prisoner she might be on the point Of
rouSing? A man who was Cberrb De-
vines rival for some woman's affec-
lions, so her father had as good as
said. but she could not believe thar
now. Perhaps the man was Grim
inal or a dangerous lunatic. The count
ess shrank away from the padlockcd
door and glanced anxiously about. 1t
might have been wiser 10 have waited
until later aud then insisted upon Tim
Minis coming with her.
But. no. she felt that she wanted no
witnesses to this interview. suppose
her fathers version should be correct :?
The countess lifted determined chin
and stepped briskly up to the heavy
door She doubled up one fist and
tried to make noise by hammering
the wood. This was a failure Then
she looked around for small stone,
found it, wrapped her handkerchief
about one end and proceeded TO evoke
a series Of loud thumps This proved
effective, for an instant later she heard
a creaking as of wire springs, and a
sleep laden voice murmured some ill.,
distinct reply.
Hello. hello!" called the countess.
| in with ho
60 away. ! don't want my break
fast now. ~ Then came pro-
longed yawn.
IL haven't brought you breakfast"
said the countess a little impatiently.
Il just want to know why you are III
our icehouse."
This was sufficient to bring the un-
known 10 his feet
what why-well. like that! What
am | doing in your icebouse. eh? DO
you suppose ii - a-a-at-choo-o-o-o!
A -atcboo-o-o-o! There. blast it. DO
such hole from choice? Say. who
the deuce are you out there anyway"
Never mind who am" retorted the
countess. but please tell me who you
are?"
"Oh. no. So that's it. eh? Well you
But another sneeZing fit interrupted
this sentence. When it was over the
countess heard him moving something
against the door and was soon con-
scous that some one was gazing at
her through the auger holes. She
thought she could distinguish a smoth-
cred exclamation Of surprise.
WELL she observed. "can you see
now?"
"Oh, yes: quite well. thank you"
But you don't know any more about
who am than before. do you?"
Don't |. thought" And the un-
known chuckled You're the Countess
Vecchi"
mere guess"
is it? Then l dare you to deny
that you aren't. Come, am 1 not right,
my dear Adele?'
The countess started and tossed her
head angrily.
1T doesn't matter in the least about
my name. Perhaps you will tell me
why you are in there"
"A stout, pink faced person who is
widely known, | believe. as Cherub
Devine locked me ill.,"
"Ah" The countess did not mean
| to allow this exclamation to be audi
BILE, but it was.
so he hasn't told you about it yet,
eh?" commented the unseen prisoner
Stupid of me. wasn't it, to allow him
! to trick me so easily? You watt
Your Mr.. Devine is going to regret
! that he was so clever"
But why did he do it?'
You might have guessed anyway.
There's lady in the case"
IA LADY, gasped the countess.
'Some one that-that Mr.. Devine"--
! Exactly. | found out only recently"
The arched lips of the Countess Vec-
chi were pressed tightly together; her
chin was held very firmly. Although
she could see nothing but the anger
holes in the thick door, she stared at
them.
and you,' she went on, after
pause-"you are interested in her
also?"
Naturally" came the rejoinder.
But why should Mr.. Devine wish
to-
IN explain all that. When he
found that | happened to be the lady's
husband he decoyed me here and
locked lue up
! "Oh, oh-lier husband! don't be-
lieve word of it. not a word It
it's II mistake all Il mistake. Why
should you think that Mr. Devine cares
enough for her toto be so unjust to
you as this!'
"Only because he as good as told
me so himself You see, my wife and
| have been living apart. He thought
l was dead. When l appear he finds
me in the way. So he locks me up.
But if there's any mistake l wish
you'd point it out to Mr. Devine. Think
there is eh:"
"Oh. don't know what to think
| The Countess Vecchi was determined
to hold back her tears at the unex-
pected revelations. though. until she
had put few more questions. They
were the ones she had been longing to
ask from the first.
''This-this other No; mean this
| n