The Hickman courier., 1912-02-22
CHAPTER VI.

for ume there was silence In tht
room. Then the door OF one room
opened and Mrs. Blazes peered anx
iously forth.
i wonder why he is so long getting
that hat" she said to herself.
The door across from her begar
TO open. and she hurriedly dashed
back and closed her door The Count
and Daphne came from the library.
Indeed" Daphne said. he might
have told me you were In there. Blu,
maybe he meant II as q surprise 70
me"
She simpered and peeped rogulshly
at the Count
Il hope" the Count said, 1T vas q
surprise To think dot now We han
a meetings"
The pleasure is all yours, sweet
noble 0f tcutonic blood" said Daphne,
with fine sarcasm
The Count look ed at her with piqus.
shaking his head mournfully.
70 think" he sighed. After all
md on you. den you leave me
Waiting for you In such disgraceful-
ness der cOrner!"
Daphne tried to explain
Honest. County" she said, at which
pet ma e he iinched. Honest. Coun-
ty. ! didn't mean to disappoint you.
but travelling gentleman hadn't
seen for a long time came through,
and as | hadn't seen him for so long,
l went to supper with him. You see.
the trouble with you and me was the
way We talked. Half the time 1
couldn't understand you and the other
half you couldn't understand me-
The Count looked at her blsnkly.
Her explanation did not explain at ali.
Such q deceitfulnessl" he said.
And sfter gave you my ring. How
dared you keep it?-
The Counts naughty indignation
over her having kept his ring was
unctured with a little twinse OF con-
science over the fact that. separated
from them BY only q thin door, was
another lady to whom. that very day.
he had given a similar ring. The
Count had the habit OF wishing on" q
ring. as an incident OF his various mir
tations- And no sooner did he wish it
on then he began to wish II back.
Z didn't keep your old rinsi-
Daphne retortsd-
You didn't7-
No. I gave It away TO a gentleman
frfend.-
'@vati" the Count asked. in noble
horror. You gave my beaudifui ring
away. Achi To think Of II. NIT all
its family unit historical significance.
being on der finger OF some common
person!"
Indeed" Daphne snapped. He
isn't any common person. I want you
to know. He Is the head OF q noble
family. q respected citizen and a par
ticular admirer Of mine"
The Count regarded her with an icy
stare a. he said crushingly:
Il am afraid den he iss not 20 par
ticular as he might be-
For q moment the very air was
tense between them. The Count
glared at Daphne, and Daphne re-
turned his glare with fiery interest.
She leaned over until her sharp nose
was within three inches OF his face.
and said to him in razory accents:
you can't insult me- I've been In
suited by expertsi"
The Count Jumped as though he
had been pricked by a pin. This set
ting OF him down as a nonentity, &C.
companied by a sharp snap of the
finger. was q BIT more cavalier treat
ment than he had ever received. He
could think Of nothing to say In reoly
Daphne. now thoroughly angry. went
on:
Il want you to understand that Gen.
eral Blazes-"
you gave my ring to Cheneral
Blazesl" the Count gasped.
Sure" Daphne replied.
"Mein Gott i'm himmeil"
With one of his rings on the Gen
erals finger and the other on the
finger Of the Generals wife, the
thought was too much. The Count
dropped Imply into q chair and
ragged his head grimly.
Both rings IN der same familyi
Ach. Gotti" he murmured.
Harry hurried into the room. and
topped In establishment at sight of
hem
"Herei" he exclaimed, you should
II have come out here. Get back in
he library for a minute and then III
st you escape"
He smiled easily now, for he be-
Isvsd hs had arranged matters %