The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-08-19

Auc1c lduy IL luc CdSes wv :
IA lady" gasped the countess.
"Some one that-that Mr.. Devine"-
Exactly. 1 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. g..
"And you," she went on, after a
pause-"you are interested in her
also?' hes =
Naturally" came the rejoinder.
"But why should Mr.. Devine wish
to- g.. .<r.
'1'n explain all that. When he
found that happened to be the lady's
husband he decoyed me here and
locked me up" -...s
'Oh, oh-her husband! don't be-
neve a word of it, not a word! It
it's mistake all mistake. Why
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
I have been living apart. He thought
was dead. When I appear he finds
me in the way. So he locks me up.
But If there's any mistake I wish
you'd point it out to Mr.. Devine. Think
there is, eh?''
"Oh, l 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
lady Of whom you Speaks she
young"
"Just twenty-three."
my own age" thought the countess.
Then she added aloud, And she is
quite pretty, supposeT'
"Oh, she's pretty enough. But it's
chiefly her cute ways which make her
fascinating to men," 49,.
"Oh!" The countess caught her
breath sharply. 'Then she is fascinat-
ing? Is she blond?' -, -: .~ ~
"Not q bit-lovely dark, hair, big
dark eyes. Her eyes are her strong
point
"Oh, seew commented the countess,
then to herself: tits because I look
something like her. And she's young
and fascinating. Humph!:'
"Glad I could tell you about her."
observed the prisoner, "but If you
don't mind think I'll climb down Off
this cot. It's rather rickety, and
feel another sneezing fit coming on.
Was there anything more"
Il beg your pardon" she said ear
nestly. Listen. You must 60 away
from here at once" ~.
"Nothing would please me better, but
I can't crawl through these holes.''
II know, and haven't key to the
paddock. But shall get one. II I
can't get the key I shall demand that
you be set at liberty. I'll go to my
father, to Mr.. Devine, and"- '~'
"Oh, wouldn't bother them about
1t, Just you say nothing at all, but
find the key, undo the lock and then
slip away. Perhaps you'd better wait
until afternoon"
But it's such shame, keeping you
shut up here like criminal"
THAT'S so. I told them it was an,
outrage. And I've caught frightful
cold too. Think you can find the key,
don't your" ::
I'm sure I can I'll send Timmins
on an errand and look In his desk" p.
I'm greatly obliged, you know.
You're trump. It's mighty good Of
you" -2' ~, :-<...=. .
1T isn't at all. I couldn't do less,
and II I ever speak to Mr.. ,Devine
again it will be only to tell him what
think Of such cruel treatment. Good
by. I'm going now" $780,. = .#...:
"Goodby and good luck" came faint
ly through the air holes in the door. ~,
Perhaps it was best that the count
ess could not see the grimace Of salts
faction which accompanied the words
as she departed to get the key to that
paddock on the icehouse door.
Thus it happened something after
this fashion: The time was late after
noon between s and 6 O'Clock, when the
golden autumn day was about to end
In a blaze Of sapphire light that was
soon to fade into an empty arch Of tur-
quoise blue, The Countess vecchi was
reading on the upper veranda. It had
become well understood In the serv-
ants wing that the brief but disturb
ing reign OF that Devine person was
over. Twice he had impudently offer
cd his hand and fortune to the Count
ess Vecchi, and twice he 4 had been
scornfully refused. The parlor maid
knew all the details. 81
Just now Tmmins appeared up the
lett carriage drive. He was on foot
ana leading half grown Jersey calf.
he had been sent to purchase the calf
from the Wilbur remway's head dali
lyman.
Suddenly the icehouse door swung
gently outward on fhs hinges, while Z
man. wearing wrinkled frock coat
ana 2 silk hat whose luster va