The Detroit times., 1913-10-15

treat him abomiDably. They come
at all times Of the day ard night, use
his card-room, order his servants
about, drink his whisky and smoke
his cigarettes, and generally invite
themselves TO luncheon and tea and
dinner And then, when they are
ready to go back TO their villas or
hotel take his motor-boat without a
thank you. The colonel has about
three Thousand pounds outside his
half-pay. and they are all crazy to
marry him because his sister Is n
countess. AS a bachelor he can live
like a prince. but as married man
he would have to dig. He told me
that II he had been born Adam. he'd
have climbed over Eden's walls long
before the Angel of the Flaming
Sword padded him out. Says he's al.
ways going to be bachelor, unless
take pity on him." mischievousiy
HAS, he ?" in Mortified tones.
About three times visit" Nora
admitted; but told him that I'd be
daughter, cousin. or n niece to
him. or even a grandchild. The lat
ter presented too many compiled
lions, so we compromised on niece"
81 wish knew when you were
serious and when you werc fooling +"
fooling as | am foolish when I am
serious ~
Nora. you will have me shrieking
in minute," desp&ired the mother
did the colonel really propose to
your"
"Only In fun"
Celeste laughed and threw her arm
around the mothers waist, less am
plo than substantial. Don't you care,
Nora Is being pursued by little devils
and Is venting her spite on u.s."
Thcrell be too much Burgundy
and tobacco. to say nothing of the
awful stories"
with the good old padre there?
Hardly" said Nora.
Celeste was a French woman. 'T
confess that I like a good story that
Isn't vulgar. And none OF them look
like men who would stoop to vulgar
n.y."
That's about all you know Of
men, declared Mrs. Harrigan.
II am willing to give them the
benefit OF doubt
Celeste" cried Nora, gaily. i've
an idea. Supposing you and run
back after dinner and hide in the
card-room, which Is right across
from the dining-room? Then We can
Judge for ourselves"
Mora Harrigani"
Molly Harrigan!" mimicked the
incorrigible. Mother mine. you must
learn to recognize a jest"
"Ah. but yours""
"Fine!" cried Celeste.
As II to put final period to the
discussion. Nora began to hum aud
IDLY an aria from aida"
They engaged carriage I'm the
village and were driven up to the
villa. On the way Mrs. Harrigan dis
cussed the stranger. Edward Court
landt. What a flne-looking young
man he was. and how adventurous,
how well-connected, how enormously
rich, and what an excellent catch.
She and Celeste-the one innocently
and the other provocatively--con
tinued the subject to the very doors
OF the villa. All the while Nora
hummed softly.
What do you think OF him. Nora?"
the mother inquired.
Think OF whom"
This Mr.. Courtlandt."
"Oh, I didn't pay much attention to
him." carelessly. But once alone
with Celeste. she seized her by the
arm. little roughly, Celeste, I love
you better than any outsider I know.
But II you ever discuss that man In
my presence again, I shall cease to
regard you even as an acquaintance.
te has come here for the purpose OF
me. though he promised
the project In Paris never to annoy
me again.
The project"
Yes. The morning left Versailles
met him In the private Office OF the
project. He had powerful friends
who aided him In establishing an
alibi- | was only a woman. % l
didn't count"
Nora. II I have meddled In any
way" proudly. 1t has been because
love you. and | see you unhappy.
You have nearly killed me with your
sphinx-like actions. You have never
asked me the result OF my spying for
you that night. Spying Is not one
OF my usual vocations. but did II
gladly for you"
Continued,