New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-27

out. Whcreupon | stuck my head through
the hali-opcn door.
ON. its YOU she cried, in quayery
voice. She was leaning forward in the chair
her eyes wide open and eager
| advanced into the room. y look OF
doubt sprang into her face. She stared tor
q moment. and then rather plteouSly rubbed
her eyes.
YES. it is |. said /. spreading my arms
In such a way that my hands emerged from
the confines IF Poopcndykc's sleeves. II
+, still l. Countess. despite the shrinkage.
The shrinkagc,~ she murmured. SLOWLY
Siding out Of the chair and limping toward
me- her hand extended.
Yes. always shrink when ! get wet, !
explained, rcsorting 20 iacctiousncsS.
Then bent over her hand and kissed II.
Is | neglected 20 release II a. once, the cuii
of Poopcndvkc's best coat slid down over
our two hands. completely cnvcloping them.
II was too much for me % stand. | squeezed
her hand with painful icrvor, and then re-
leased il in trcpiia,ion.
"Poopcnlyke goes 10 church in It. | said
vaguely ~Youvc been crying. Her eyes
were red and suspiciously moist.
Is She met my concerned gaze. a waver-
ng. whimsical smile crcpt into her iace. 1T
has been a disgustingly wet night. she SAID.
"Oh. YOU don't know how happy am 20 see
YOU standing here once more. safe and sound.
and and amiablc. expected you TO glover
and growl AMI
"On bright glorious. sunshiny morning
Ike this," | cried. Never. prefer to be
graciously rcfulgcnt. Oar troubles are be-
hind us
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.
"Thcy were black until came into this
room" confessed. Nov they are rose
tinted.
She bent her slender body little toward
me. and the red seemed to leap back into her
lips as il 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.
"Oh. what a 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 neghbor as thy
self, >" | quoted. You are my ncighbor,
Countess. don't forget that. And it SO hap
pens that your mother is also my ncighbor
at present. and your brothers too. Have
YOU any cousins and auntS?'
Il can't understand how anyone can be 50
good naturcd as you" she sighed. And
now | am ready TO accept an invitation To
breakfast. | am disgustingly hungry"
and 50 am L. | cried with enthusiasm.
shall never forget that enchanted break
fast-nevcr, 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 II was a singularly
light-hearted affair.
At half-past one o'clock was received by
Mrs. Titus in my own study. The
Countess came down from her Gerry abode
10 oitciatc at the ccremonious function. and
was agrceably surprised to find my new
guest IN a most amiablc frame of nina.
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 drapcd in
Poopendyke'S garments.
As for her two sons. they made no effort
TO disguise their amazcment. The elder OF
the two young men. Colingraft Titus. who,
being in the business with his father III New
York. was permitted 10 travel most of the
-. Il. 4. 4 IL, u ~