The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-10-15

I Hotel across the river. 1t is most important
that you should do So and that you should
exercise great caution. am to take your
reply back to him..
Then I experienced feeling OF relief so
vast that he must have see the gleam of
triumph in my eyes. The trick was mine,
after all.
Come into my study I said. He fol-
lowed me upstairs and into the room.
Poopendyke was there. ''This is my secre.
tary, you may speak freely before him. "
Turning to Poopendyke, I said; You have
not sent that statement to the newspapers,
have youl Well, let it rest for day or two,
Mr. Piess has sent Q representative to see
me-" l scowled at my secretary, and he
had the sense to hide his astonishment.
The fellow repeated what he had said be-
fore, and added few instructions which l
was to follow with care il l would do Mr..
Pless the honour to wait upon him that
evening at the Rempf Hotel.
"You may tell Mr.. Pless that shall be
there at nine" said I. The agent departed.
When he was safely out Of the room, ex-
planned the situation to Poopendyke and xxen
made my way through the secret panels to
the Countesss rooms.
She was ready for the subterranean journey
in quest Of treasure, attred in neat walk,
ing skirt, with her bonny hair encased in o
swimming cap as a guard against cobwebs.
"Then you don't intend to send out the
statementsi' she cried in disappointment
| lxt
are his friend and not minei"
/ was greatly elated. Her very unreason-
ableness was prize that could not fail to
cherish.
''Only for the time being" 1 said eagerly.
Don't you see the advantage we gain by
fooling him. Why, it is splendid positively
splendid"
She pouted. II don't feel at all sure Of
you now, Mr.. Smart she said sitting down
rather deiectedly in chair near the fire
place, II believe you are ready to turn
against me. You want to be rid of me- l
am a nuisance, a source of trouble to you.
| You will tell him that l am here
l stood over her, trying my best to scowl.
''You know better than that You know l
III am as loyal as-as can be. Hang it all, v
burst out impulsively, do you suppose for
minute that l want to hand you over to
that Internal rascal, now that I've come to
that is to say, now that we're such ripping
good friendsl -
She looked up at me very pathetically at
first Then her expression changed swiftly to
one of wonder and the most penetrating in,
quiry. Slowly flush crept into her cheeks
and her eyes wavered.
I'll think can trust you to-to do the
right thing by me, she said descending to
banality in her confusion.
l held out my hand She laid hers in it
rather timidly, almost as if she was afraid
of me. Il shall not fail you," said I with
out the fantcst intention to be heroic but
Immediately conscious Of having used an ex-
preston so trite that my cheek famed with
humiliation.
For some unaccountable reason she arose
hastily from the chair and walked to the
window. similar reason, no doubt, held me
rooted rather safely to the spot on which l
stood. l have a vague recollection Of feeling
dizzy and rather short Of breath. My heart
was acting queerly
why do You suppose he wants to see
youf' she asked, after amoment, turning to-
ward me again. She was as calm as sum
mer breeze All trace of nervousness had
left her.
IT can't even supply guess"
''You must be very, very tactful,' she
said uneasily. II know him SO well. He is |
very cunning"
II am accustomed to dealing with vii
lians,' said I. ''They always come to bad
end in my books, and virtue triumphs'
but this isn't book she protested.
''Besides virtue never triumphs in an inter
national marriage. You must come-to sec
me tonight after you return from town. I
won't sleep until I've heard everything
~ may be very late" said, contriving
to hide my esgerness pretty well, I thought.
II shall wait for you, Mr.. Smart" she
said very distinctly. I took II IS . com
mand and bowed in submission. There is
no one hero to gossip, so We may be IS care
less as we please about appearances. You
will be hungry, too, when you come in. I
shall have nice supper ready for you"
She frowned family. You must not, under |
any circumstances, spoil everything by hav-
ing supper with him."
again I repeat you may trust me i'm
plicitly to do the right thing" said beam
ingly. "And now, what do you say to our |
trip to the bottom Of the castlei'
She shook her head. ''Not with the house
full Of spies, my dear friend. Well save
that for another day. rainy day perhaps |
feel like having all the sunshine l can get |
today. Tonight shall be gloomy and very |
lonely. shall take Rosemary and Jinko out '