Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-12-11

II guess you don't remember the Aus
trian count who was a head waiter
here. II there was anything in the
way of OSCILLATION that that member
of an old Austrian family didn't
know, I've got to find 1t out. He
could kiss all around any American
ever saw!"
l went back to my news stand.
was shaking so my knees would hard
ly hold me. All could think OF was
that they had swallowed Mr.. Pierce,
bait and hook, and that for time we
were saved, although in the electric
light Mr.. Pierce was a good bit less
like Dicky Carter than he had seemed
to be in the spring-house by the fire.
Well, Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof"
| Everybody went to bed early. Mr..
Thoburn came over and bought cigar
on his way upstairs, and he was as
gloomy as he had been cheerful before
Well" / said, Il guess you won't
put dancing floor in the dining.room
just yet. Mr.. Thoburn."
I'm not in a hurry" he snapped
TITS only January, and don't want
the place until May. I'll get 1t when
I'm ready for 1t. / had a good look
at young Carter, and he's got too
square jaw to run a successful neu-
rasthenics' home"
| went to the pantry shelf at ten
o'clock and fixed tray of supper for
Mr.. Pierce, found some chicken and
got bottle of the old doctors wine
| had kept the key of his wine-cellar
since he died--and carried the tray up
to Mr.. Pierce's sitting.room. He had
the old doctors suite.
The door was open an inch or so,
and as / was about to knock | heard
girls voice. 1t was Miss Patty!
How can you deny it?" she was
saying angrily. 81 dare say you viii
even deny that you ever saw this let
ter beforel"
There was minutes pause while
suppose he looked at the letter.
Il never did" he said solemnly.
Perhaps" said Miss Patty, you
also deny that you were in Ohio the
day before yesterday"
" was in Ohio, but positively as
sert-"
"Mr. Carter. have asked my ques-
ton twice now and am waiting for
an answer"
But l don't know the answer!" he
said miserably. IL assure you, I'm
absolutely in the dark. / don't know
what's in the letter. l haven't always
done what | should, dare say, but
my conduct In the state of Ohio during
the last few weeks has been without
stain-unless I've forgotten-but II 1t
had been anything very heinous, I'd
remember. don't you think?"
Somebody crossed the room, and a
paper rustled.
Read that" said Miss Patty's voice.
And then silence for minute.
Good Lord" exclaimed Mr.. Pierce.
do you deny that?"
Absolutely" he said firmly 81
have never even heard of the Rever-
end Dwight tombstone"
And that is all you will say?" de-
manded Miss Patty scornfully. You
don't know there's a mistake;' you
never saw the letter before!' Oh, II
were only mani"
"I'll tell you what wen do" Mr..
Pierce said, with something like hope
in his voice. We'll send for Mr.. Van
Alstyne! That's the thing, OF course.
I'll send for-er-Jim."
Mr.. Van Alstyne's name is Sam, but
nobody noticed.
"Mr. Van Alstynel" repeated Miss
Patty in dazed way.
guessed it was about time to make
a diversion, so | knocked and walked
in with the tray. and they glared at
me.
I've brought your supper. Mr.. Car
ter" began. Then stopped and
stared oh" l said.
Thank YOU" said Mr. Pierce, very
uncomfortable. Just put 1t down any
where"
| stalked across the room and put
it on the table. Then I turned. I'm
sorry" | said, but it's one of the rules
of this house that guests don't come
to these rooms. They're strictly pri-
vate 1t isn't my rule, but If you will
step down to the parlor-"
Mr.. Pierce took quick step toward
Miss Patty and looked down at her.
"About-what happened downstairs
tonight" he stammered, with the un-
happiest face | ever saw on man,
live been ready to knock my fool
head of ever since. 1t was mistake
d"
my letter, please" said Miss Patty,
looking back at him without blink
please don't look like that!" he
begged. 81 came in suddenly out of
the darkness, and you"
my letter, pleased" she said again.
raising her eyebrows.
He gave up trying then. He held
out the letter and she took 1t and went
out with her head up and scorn in
the very way she trailed her skirt
over the door-sill. But I'm no fool; 1t
didn't need the way he touched the
door-knob where she had been hold
ing 1t, when he closed the door after
her, to tell me what allied him. He
was crazy about her from the minute
he saw her, and he hadn't change OF
linen or cent to his name. And she.
as you might say. on the ragged edge
OF royalty, with queens and princes
sending her stomachers and tiaras I'M
til she'd hardly need clothes. Well.
cat may look at king.
He went over to the fireplace, where
was putting his coffee to feep 1t
hot, and looked down at me.
'I've suspicion, Minnie" he said,
that, TO use vulgar expression, I've
bitten off more than can chew In
this little undertaking. and that I'm
in imminent danger of choking to
death. Do you know anybody. friend
OF Miss-er-Jennings named Doro-
thy?"
"She's got younger sister OF that
NAME" ! said, with sort of chill