The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-11-12

ity. 1t was nonsense to even argue the
point
Having thoroughly settled the matter to
my own satisfaction and relief, | acknow
lodged a feeling of shame for having been
so precipitous. shudder TO think of the
look she would have given me If I had burst
in upon her while in the throes of that ex-
traordinary seizure. Obviously l had lost my
wits Now l had them once more, ! knew
what to do with them. First Of all, ! would
wait until one o'clock before presenting my
self for luncheon. Clearly that was the thing
to do. Secondly, l would wait on this side
of the castle instead of returning to my
own rooms, thereby avoiding a very unpleas
ant gauntlet. Luckily l had profited by the
discussion in the servants quarters and was
not wearing q three days growth Of beard.
Moreover, l had taken considerable pains
in dressing that morning. Evidently u pres
ointment.
For an hour and a half by my watch, but
five or six by my nerves, I paced the lonely.
sequestered halls in the lower regions of
the castle. Two or three times l was sure
that my watch had stopped, the hands seemed
so stationary. The third time l tried to
wind il, I broke the handspring, but as it
was nearly one o'clock not much harm was
done.
That one little sentence, "Have you deserted
met" grew to be a voluminous indictment.
| could think of nothing else. There was
something i~neffably sad and pathetic about
II Had rha ham uphanpy horaura nf NV
beastly behaviousi Was her poor little heart
sore over my incomprehensible conduct, Per
haps she had cried through sheer loneli-
ness - But mo- 1t would never do for me to
even think Of her in tears. l remembered
having detected tears in her lovely eyes
early in our acquaintance and the sight of
hem-or the sensation. if you please-quite
unnamed me.
At last I approached her door. Upon my
a silly sensation of fear. A new problem
confronted me: what was I TO say to herr
Following close upon this came another and
even graver question: what would she say
to mel Suppose she we're to look at me
with hurt, reproachful eyes and speak to me
q little quaver in her voice as she held
out her hand TO mt timidly-what then?
What would become of met By Joye, the
that flashed through my whole body
almost deprived me of %reasonl
l hesitated, then, p~lucking up my courage
and putting all silly questions behind me, ]
resoundingly upon the door.
The excellent Hawkes. opened it'll started
back In dismay. He stood aside impress
'Mr. SMART" he announced. Damn it
ALI
+ caught sight of the Countess. She was
some flowers on the table. Blatch.
ford was placing the knives and forks. Helen
Louise Antoinette stood beside her
holding . box of flowers in her
hands.
What was it that I had been thinking out
in those gloomy hallsi That she would
greet me with a pathetic, hurt look and
Good morning. she cried gaily. Hurt.
pathetici She was radisntl 80 glad to see
you again. Hawkes. has told me how busy
you We BEEN She dried her hands on the
abbreviated apron of Helen Marie Louise An
and then quite composedly extended
one for me to shake.
bowed low over it. lawfully, awfully
l murmured. Was it relief at find
ng her SO happy and unconcerned that
swept through met 1 am morally, but
shamelessly certain il wasn't
Don't you think the roses are lovely m
old silver how'll"
Exquisite
''Blatchford found Il In the plste vault"
The said, standing off to admire the effect.