Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-06-10

HELLO, HELLOw CALLED THE COUNTESS.
vines rival for some woman's affec-
tons, so her father had as good as
said, but she could not believe that
now. Perhaps the man was GRIM
inal or dangerous lunatic. The count
ess shrank away from the padlocked
door and glanced anxiously about. 1t
might have been wiser to have waited
until later and 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 a 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 failure. Then
she looked around for a small stone.
found it. wrapped her handkerchief
about one end and proceeded to evoke
series Of loud thumps. This proved
effective, for an instant later she heard
creaking as of wire springs. and a
sleep laden voice murmured some ill.,
distinct reply.
Hello. hello." called the countess.
rapping again with the stone.
Go away. ! don't want my break
fast now. II Then came q pro-
longed yawn.
II haven't brought you breakfast"
said the countess little impatiently.
Il just want to know why you are IN
our icehouse."
This was sufficient to bring the un-
known to his feet.
what why-well, like that! What
am l doing in your icehouse. eh? DO
you suppose I-l-a -a-at-choo-o-o-o!
A-a-a-atchoo-o-o-o! There. blast it! Do
you imagine l would lock myself in
such hole from choice? Say. who
the deuce are you out there anyways"
Never mind who am" retorted the
countess. but please tell me who you
are?"
"Oh, no: So that's 1t. eh? Well. you
wait minute, will you. until H.
But another sneezing 1T interrupted
this sentence. When 1t was over the
countess heard. him moving something
against the door and was soon con-
scious that some one was gazing at
her through the anger holes. She
thought she could distinguish a smoth-
cred exclamation of surprise.
WELL" she observed. ''can you see
now?"
'Oh. yes; quite well, thank your
But you don't know any more about
who l am than before. do your"
Don't i. though" And the un-
known chuckled. you're the Countess
Vecchi"
"Hunphw said the countess "That's
q mere guess"
lis II? Then l dare you to deny
that You aren't Come, am 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, 1 believe. as Cherub
Devine locked me in"
AIR The countess did not mean
to allow this exclamation to be audi
bic, but it was.
so he hasn't told you about 1t yet,
eh" commented the unseen prisoner.
Stupid of me- wasn't it. to allow him
to trick me so easily? You wait.
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 a lady in the case"
''A-a lady, gasped the countess
''Some one that-that Mr. Devine'-
Exactly. found out only recently"
The arched lips of the Countess Wee
chi were pressed tightly together; her
chin was held very firmly Although
she could see nothing but the auger
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 rejoindcr.
But why should Mr.. Devine wish
to-
I'll explain ali that. When he
found that l happened TO be the lady's
husband he decoyed me here and
locked me up"
oh. oh-her husband, ! don't be
'ieye word Of it. not a word, 1t
it's mistake, all mistake. Why
should You think that Mr.. Deyine cares
enough for her toto be so unjust to
You as this:"