The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-12-12

trian count who was a head waiter
here. II there was anything In the
way OF osculation that that member
OF an old Austrian family didn't
know. I've got to find II out. He
could kiss all around any American /
ever sawi"
went back to my news stand.
was shaking 80 my knees would hard.
ly hold me. All / could think OF was
that they had swallowed Mr.. Pierce.
bait and hook, and that for a 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 10 bed early. Mr.
Thoburn came over and bought a cigar
on his way upstairs, and he was as
gloomy as he had been cheerful before
Well | said, Il guess you won't
put a dancing floor in the dlningroom
| just yet, Mr. Thoburn."
I'm not in a hurry" he snapped
IT'S only January, and ! don't want
| the place until May. I'll get Il when
I'm ready for II. had good look
at young Carter. and he's got too
square a jaw to run a successful neu-
rasthenics' home"
went to the pantry shelf at ter
o'clock and fixed a 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 dled-and carried the tray up
tc 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. Il dare say you will
even deny that you ever saw this let
ter before!"
There was a minutes pause while l
suppose he looked at the letter.
Il never did," he said solemnly.
Perhaps" said Miss Patty, you
also deny that you we're in Ohio the
day before yesterday"
81 was in Ohio, but l positively as
sert-"
Mr. Carter, l have asked my quee-
tion twice now and | am waiting for
an answer"
said miserably. II assure you, I'm
absolutely in the dark. / don't know
what's in the letter. | haven't always
done what | should, l dare say. but
my conduct in the state OF Ohio during
the last few weeks has been without
stain-unless I've forgotten-but If it
had been anything very heinoue, 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 a minute.
Good Lord" exclaimed Mr.. Pierce. !
DO you deny that?"
Absolutely" he said firmly II
have never even heard of the Rever-
end Dwight Johnstone-"
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, If
| were only a mani"
"Ill tell you what wen do" Mr..
Pierce said, with something like hope
in his voice. Wen send for Mr.. Van
That's the thing, OF course
III send for-er-Jim"
Mr.. Van Alstyne's name is Sam, but
nobody noticed
"Mr. Van Alstyne!" repeated Miss
Patty in a 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
er," | began. Then | stopped and
stared. "Oh." l said.
Thank you" said Mr.. Pierce, very
Just put it down any
where"
/ stalked across the room and put
t on the table. Then | turned. I'm
orry," / said, but it's one of the rules
# this house that guests don't come
0 these rooms. They're strictly pri- !.
ate. 1t isn't my rule, but If you will Z
tep down to the parlor--" =
Mr.. Pierce took a quick step toward :
Hiss Patty and looked down at her,
"About--what happened downstairs :
o-night," he stammered, with the un-
appiest face / ever saw on a man, /
1--we been ready to knock my fool
cad off ever since. 1t was a mistake
"a"
MY letter, please" said Miss Patty,
)oking back at him without a blink.
please don't look like that!" he
egged. 81 came in suddenly out of o
le darkness, and you-" :,
MY letter, pleased" she said again, =
lising her eyebrows.
He gave up trying then. He held =,
ut the letter and she took it and went y |,
1T with her head up and scorn in =
10 very way she trailed her skirt =
yer the door-sill. But I'm no fool; it q
dn't need the way he touched the -
,or-knob where she had been hold -
& 1t, when he closed the door after a
H. to tell me what allied him. He ~
aS crazy dpouI HSI AIOu luS nlHuIe 49,
saw her, and he hadn't change Of ~
len or a cent to his name. And she,
you might say on the ragged edge III
royalty, with queens and princes
nding her stomachers and tiaras un- Is
she'd hardly need clothes. Well, or
cat may look at a king. pl
He went over to the fireplace, where ca
was putting his coffee to keep it en-
t, and looked down at me.
I've a suspicion, Minnie" he said, ie'
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