The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-08-20

A Fool and His Money

man whom he favored the most. A
dreadful man! We quarrelled bitterly
when l declared that either he or l
would have to leave the house-for-
ever. I don't mind confessing to you
that the man speak of is your friend,
the gentle Count Hohendahl, some time
ogre of this castle.''
I shuddered. A feeling of utter loath-
ing for all these unprincipled scoundrels
came over me, and I mildly took the
name Of the Lord in vain.
With an abrupt change Of nature, she
arose from her chair and began to pace
the floor, distractedly beating her
clinched hands against her bosom
Twice I heard her murmur: ooh,
God!"
This startling exposition Of feeling
gave me a most uneanny shock. Tt came
out Of clear sky, so to say, at mo-
ment when ] was beginning to regard
her as cold blooded, eallous, and utterly
without the emotions supposed to exist
in the breast of every high-minded
woman. And now l was witness to the
pain she suffered, now I heard her cry
out against the thing that had hurt her
so pitilessly. l turned my head away,
vastly moved. Presently she moved
over to tho window. A covert glance
revealed her standing there, looking not
down at the Danube that seemed so far
away but up at the blue sky that
seemed so near.
I sat very still and repressed, trying
to remember the harsh, unkind things
I had said to her, and berating myself
fiercely for all of them. What STUPID,
vain glorious ass ] was not to have di-
vined something of the inward fight
she was making to conquer the emo
tions that filled her heart unto the
bursting point.
The sound of dry, suppressed sobs
came to my ears. 1t was too much for
me. I stealthily quit my position by
the mantel-piece and tip-toed toward
the door, bent on leaving her alone.
Halfway there l hesitated, stopped and
then deliberately returned to tho fire
place, where I noisily shuffled fresh
supply of Goals into the CRATE. 1t would
be heartless, even nnmannerly, to leave
her without letting her know that I
was heartily ashamed of myself and
completely in sympathy with her. Wise
ly, however, resolved to let her have
her cry ont. Some one great deal
more far-sceing than let the world
into a most important secret when he
advised man to take that course when
in doubt
For a long while I waited for her to
regain control of herself, rather dread
ing the apology she would feel called
upon to make for her abrupt reversion
to the first principles Of her sex. The
sobs ceased entirely. I experienced the
sharp joy of relaxation. Her dainty
lace handkerchief found employment.
First she would dab it cautiously in
one eye, then the other, after which
she would scrutinise its crumpled sur
face with most extraordinary interest.
At least dozen times she repeated this
puzzling operation. What in the world
was she looking fort To this day, that
strange, sly peeking On her part re-
mains mystery to me.
She turned swiftly upon me and
beekoned with her little forefinger.
Greatly concerned, sprang toward her.
Was she preparing to swoons What in
heavens name was I to do if she took
it into her pretty head to do such a
thing as thats Involuntarily shot a
quick look at her blouse. To my horror
it was buttoned down the back. 1t
would be bachelor s luck to But
she was smiling radiantly. Saved!
"Look" she cried, pointing upward
through the window. "Isn't she love
ly'"
I stopped short in my tracks and
stared at her in blank amazement.
What a stupefying creature she was.
She beckoned again, impatiently. |
obeyed with alacrity. Obtaining a
rather clear view of her eyes, was
considerably surprised to find no trace
of departed tears. Her cheek was as