The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-03-01
CONTINUED from page ~

Iney agreed, silently.
But w should it be so:" the Count
asked, pleasantly. "Iss Mr.. Swifton
der only man In der house? Iss he
der only man In der world dot ilirts!
May I ask w I, q poor, unknown, un.
noticed Cherman-though Id iss not
80 in my own country. I assure you!
ISIS dare any reason w I should be
neglected In your suspicions?"
Lucy and Carolyn looked At each
other triumphantly. Here was . ray
Of hope for Harry. after all.
But" the Count went on, II must
beg you not TO suspect me - you do
Mr.. Swifton. know you viii not. for
PEBBLES do not gi6 such violent rs.
picion to stranchers - dey do to their
own kind. I viii tell you how dis vom-
IN happens to be In dot room. I sent
her dare!"
you did," Carolyn exclaimed.
why. I thought Harry"
or course. Miss Swifton." the
Count interrupted her. I'VE would 81.
ways GID der benent OF der doubt to
any Won but our own folks. 10 II not
20! Now. W did I sent her dares
She comes here to see aboud . hat
she hass sent to . wrong address. I
recognise in her . lady init whom I
hai2 hirtsd. You sse. do not hesitate
to acknowledge dot I han Airted. w
should II am In diss country for
dot purpose. Ladies' dirt NIT me-a
gallant chentsman viii at least be 20.
lite enough to respond. Beauty va
effer . weakness NIT me. So! Inject
dis lady hers-dis milliner. engage
her in conversations. We hear some
Won coming. She cannot get oud. I
tell her to hide In dot room q moment
She hides. But dare IL no chance for
her to get oud. Und at last, ven It
seems dot dare will be q chance. der
explosion comes-und you know der
rest"
The Count removed his eyeglass
and swung It nonchalantly by its cord.
He awaited the verdict. He did not
look at Harry at all. Smilingly. no
studied the wall.
"Dost thee realize that thee has
endangered the name OF this WON.
an?" Medders asked, In quiet tones.
Not So" the Count defended him.
self. II vas protecting it. Der Chen
eral. und all der rest OF you. by max.
ing her come out-you put her In dan.
ger"
WELL" Harry said, after seeming
to think the matter over very seri.
ously. Il confess that I am surprised
by what you have told us. But think
we should make allowances for you.
You are unfamiliar with our view Of
things and of conduct. What seems
right to you may seem utterly wrong
to us. am not defending you. but |
am not condemning you. only ask
you, next time you chat with mil.
liner. not to hide her around here"
This concluding remark Of his, &C.
companied with q sunny smile, broke
the tension, but Carolyn almost
spoiled everything BY saying:
1T sounds reasonable enough, but
how does 1t happen that Harry was 30
determined no one should 90 into
that room?"
Il haff no answer" the Count 70
piled. Il haff told - much q should
tell"
1T looks to me ~ II he knew what
you had done, and was trying to help
you out" Carolyn declared.
1T Ill beseems me to offer advice
in the house where I am . guest. I"
said Mr.. Medders. but I might sug.
gest to thee that We ask Harry to tell
us his side of this story later. It 10
unfortunate, truly. but l do not doubt
that he will explain all to US. Daugh-
UT, We Will Tcudlu uCIC, 0S VIC
planned, and now let US try to forget
this unpleasantness, and make our
selves welcome"
Thank you, Mr.. Medders." Harry
said. Il can see that you and Lucy
still have . faint suspicion Of me-but
l can clear that up readily enough"
I've got more than . faint one.
Carolyn told him.
''Oh, well, I don't have to explain
everything to you, sis." Harry said.
easily. But arguments are bad on
IN empty stomach. happen to know
that there's to Be = pretty good din.
ner tonight 20 we'll all get ready and
eat IT.
You, vim excuse me-" tie Count
9 lit