The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-08-27

SohnShetu W COLllc WlUu us.
"Indeed!" T"
She hesitated, uncomfortably placed
between two duties. She owed one tc
him and one to me-
1T is only fair, John, that You should
know that Pless is not his real name. y
she said, lowering her voice. "'But, of
course, we stand sponsor for him, SO
it is all right" "
"Your word is sufficient. Elsien
She seemed to be debating some in
ward question. The next | knew she
moved a little closer to me.
His life is "a tragedy, she whis-
pered. ellis heart is broken, | firmly
believe. Oh!"
The Billy Smiths came up. Elsie pro-
ceeded to withdraw into herself.
owe we're speaking of Mr.. Pless, y
said |. " He has broken heart"
The newcomers looked hard at poor
Elsie.
"Broken fiddle-sticks," said Billy
Smith, nudging Elsie until she made
room for him beside her on the long
couch. promptly made room for Betty
Billy.
:" We ought to tell John just little
about him, said Elsie defensiyely. "I1
is due him, Billy
"But don t tell him the fellow s
heart is broken. That s rot
1T isn't rot,' said his wife.
Wouldn I your heart be brokensn
He crossed his legs comfortably.
" Wouldn I it?" repeated Betty Billy.
Not if it were as porous as his.
You can't break a sponge, my dear. y
"What happened to it'' | inquired.
mildly interested.
Women said Billy impressively
"Then it easily patched,' said T.
Like cures like. ~
You don t understand, John, y said
Elsie grayely. lie was married to
beautiful
Now, Elsie, yon re telling" eau
toned Betty Billy.
"Well," " said Elsie doggedly, II IN
determined to tell this much-his name
ism t Pless, his wife got divorce from
him, and now she has taken their child
and run off with it and they can t find
what s the mattera"
My eyes were almost popping from
my head.
"Is-is he COUNT" | cried, so loud
ly that they all said "sh," and shot
apprehensiye glances toward the pseudo
Mr.. Pless.
Goodness, said Elsie in alarm.
Don t shout, John. -
Billy Smith regarded me speculative
y. 81 daresay Mr.. Smart has read all
about the affair in the newspapers
They've had nothing else lately. | !
won t say he is count, and | won t |
'ay he ism t. We re bound by a deep. |
lark, sinister oath, sealed with blood. -
81 haven't seen anything about it
n the papers, said |, trying to recover
ny self-possession which had sustained
most tremendous shock.
"Thank heaven! cried Elsie devout-
y.
Do you mean to say you won't tell
he his nameg' | demanded.
Elsie eyed me suspiciously. "Why
id you ask if he is count?''
~ have vague recollection of hear
ng some one speak of a count having
rouble with his young American wife,
ivoree, or something of the sort. A
cry prominent New York girl, if | IN
OF mistaken. All very hazy, however.
What is his name9"
John" said Mrs. Hazard firmly,
you must not ask us to tell you. Won t
on please understand"
"The poor fellow is almost distracted.
eally, Mr.. Smart, we planned this little
lsit here simply in order toto take
i'm out of himself for while. 1t has
cen such a tragedy for him. He wor-
lipped the child" 2" 1t was Mrs. Billy 1
ho spoke. t
"And the mother made way with G
mG" | queried, resorting to sud l
snly acquired cunning. n
"1t is girl,'' said Elsie in loud /
hsper. "The loveliest girl. The !
other appeared in Vienna about three a
eeks or a month ago and--whiff! Off v
'es the child. Abducted kidnapped Il