Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-27
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR APRIL II.
"A FOOL AND HIS MONEY

out Whereupon l stuck my head through
the half-open door.
"Oh, it's voui" she cried, in quavery
voice. She was leaning forward in the chair,
her eyes wide open and eager.
| advanced into the room. A look of
doubt sprang into her face. She stared for
a moment, and then rather piteously rubbed
l4er eyes.
yes, it is l. said l. spreading my arms
in such a way that my hands emerged from
the confines of Poopendyke's sleeves 1T
is still l, Countess. despite the shrinkage.
The shrinkage?" she murmured, slowly
sliding out of the chair and lirnping toward
me- her hand extended
Yes, always shrink when | get Wet |
explained, resorting to facetiousness.
Then | bent over her hand and kissed it.
As l neglected to release it at once, the cuff
of Poopendykes best coat slid down over
our two hands, completely enveloping them:
1t was too much for me to stand. squeezed
her hand with painful fervor, and then re-
leased it in trepidation.
"Poopendvke goes to church in it. | said
vaguely. "You've been crying Her eyes
were red and suspiciously moist.
As she met my concerned gaze. waver-
ing, whimsical smile crept into her face. 1T
has been a disgustingly wet night, she said.
"Oh, you don't know how happy | am to see
you standing here once more. safe and sound.
and-and amiable. expected you to glover
and growl and
"On bright, glorious, sunshiny morning
like this?' / cried. "Never! | prefer to be
graciously refulgent. Our troubles are be-
hind U.S.
How good you are," After a moments
careful scrutiny of my face, Il can see traces
of very black thoughts, Mr.. Smart, and re-
cent ones
"Thev were black until came into this
ROOM" l confessed. "Now they are rose
tinted
She bent her slender body little toward
me, and the red seemed to leap back into her
lips as if propelled by magic Resolutely
put my awkward, ungainly arms behind my
back. and Strengthened my figure.
"Your mother is here | remarked hur-
riedly.
She glanced toward my bedroom door
ooh. what night she sighed. Il did all
that could to keep her out of your bed. 1t
was useless. / did cry, Mr.. Smart. know
you must hate all of US"
laughed. "'Love thy neighbor as thy
self" l quoted. "You are my neighbor,
Countess, don't forget that. And it SO hap
pens that your mother is also my neighbor
at present, and your brothers too Have
YOU any cousins and aunts?'
Il can't understand how anyone can be SO
good natured as YOU she sighed And
now am ready to accept an invitation to
breakfast. am disgustingly hungry"
and SO am II l cried with enthusiasm.
shall never forget that enchanted break
fast-never! Not that | can recall even
vaguely what we had to eat, or who served
it. or how much of the naked truth related
to her in describing the events of the night:
| can only declare that it was singularly
light hearted affair.
At half-past one clock was received by
= Mrs. Titus in my own study. The
Countess came down from her eery abode
to officiate at the ceremonious function, and
| was agreeably surprised to find my new
guest in a most amiable frame of mind.
True, she looked me over with what seemed
an unnecessarily and perfectly frank stare
of curiosity: but, on sober reflection, did
not hold it against her. was still draped in
Poopendyke's garments.
As for her two sons, they made no effort
to disguise their amazement The elder OF
the two young men. Colingraft Titus Who
being in the business with his father in New
York, was permitted to travel most of the
time SO that he couldn't interfere with it,
was taller than l, and an extremely hand