The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1911-08-17
CHAPTER TX.

The group stood In dead silence
broken only by the stifed sobs o
Lucy and Carolyn. while the heavy
tramp Of General Blazes died away IL
his slamming OF the outer door.
Harry shook his head doubtfully
as the Count continued to assure hin
in dumb show that he could clear
things UP for him.
Come, daughter" Mr.. Medders
said. thee must quiet myself. Then
we will go home"
aren't you going to give me a
chance to e1plain?" Harry asked.
Explain" Carolyn blazed forth,
looking up at them with her eyes red
and her cheeks stained with tears
Explain! How can you explain? Oh
dear, / never should have gone away
to schoo1. / should have stayed at
home and done my duty by my broth
err
Nonsense, Carolyn" Harry reproved
her. You simply make things look
worse for me by such talk as that"
How could they be any worse for
you!" Carolyn demanded. "Oh, men
are wretches! / suppose they are
all alike. | thought | could trust my
own brother. I-I--even doubt
Pigeon, now!"
The Count smiled grimly at Harry
and shrugged his shoulders. Harry
looked at him in mute appeal, as
though asking him to come to the
front now with his plan of squaring
things. But the Count was man of
experience For all his flfppancy and
gaiety. he was man Of experience
enough to know that when you are
going to defend anything or any pc
sition which is being attacked you are
better off If you wait until the attack
ing party has exhausted its ammuni-
ton and arguments.
So he bided his time, while Carolyn
gradually relieved her mind by means
of tears and recrimlnations, and while
Lucy, who was completely mystified
but who felt that something was ire
mendously wrong. slowly arrived at q
Tiers shoulder.
Shfewd old Amos Medders, being
by birth and training patient man,
said nothing beyond few soothing
words to Lucy. He had concluded to
end their visit and take her home
yet he was fair man and he would
give Harry chance to come from
@ :
under the cloud, il he could.
Well, Carolyn" Harry said'at last
eff you have finished all you have to
say, we will get at the real truth OF
the matter. Count Won Fitz, | think
can tell us something that will at
least interest US"
The Count Strengthened his shout.
ders and took a deep breath He
twisted his mHstache thoughtfuIIy,
and then flecked an imaginary piece
of dust from his lapel.
n you will all sit down." he OBJ
served 81 can talk bedder Dare ISIS
no occasion for weepings, nor for at
lacking Mr.. Swifton. If anybody shall
be attacked, 1t is me, for vat has hap
pened, and vat may yet happen, iss
my fault"
Carolyn resumed her seat, Lucy
with a wondering expression, took a
chair, and Mr.. Medders, nodding
gravely, also sat down. Harry lounged
on settee, and careleEsly chewed an
unlit cigar
1T ISIS like diss," the Count said, as
though addressing jury I'm life
dare ISIS many things yich seem i'm
possible of explanation, but vich yer
We know vat dey are, do not near
so much"
Mr. Medders bowed assent and Har
ny looked at the Count with consid
cradle admiration for his self-posses
sion and his control of the situation
You half seen somding," the Count
continued, "vich excites natural sus
picion und distrust. We half all seer
dis Und, as usual, ven suspicion is
aroused, i'd ISIS like a swarm of bees
1t lighds varever Id pleases. Und also
aomebody geds stung."
He chuckled to himself, but his
chuckle did not raise an echo
I'D vouid be easy for me-" he said
Ito allow you to continue NIT der i'm
bressions you haff receifed. But
cannot allow It, Elem at der expense
Of wrong IMPRESSION of myselluf,
must gift you my explanation--vicf
you can belief or not belief. as yot
like. Mr. Swifton iss man dot vol
know-a man you will always know
throughout hiss life, Mel am {
stranckor. half been teaching Mr.
Swifton some Cherman-but | resigr
now as his tutor.
go. no! l won't have that" Harr,
biuffed.
Unless you accept my resignation
cannot say vat VI "a, to say" tbs
Count decided.
Accepting Harry's sildpce as con
frmation of tho allege6 resignation
In went. checking on his points as hs
made them. nDoa his fingers.
First. vat do we haff? We haf
CheneraI Blazcs coming here IN q