Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-11-14

"Thank you" she said. "oh, did it
prick youl"
Yes said flatly. Then we both
gave the closest attention to the end OF my
thumb while / triumphantly squeezed a tiny
drop of blood out Of 1t. sucked it. The
incident was closed She was no longer in
terested in the laceration
''Mr. Poopendyke know how lonely I
would be. He telephoned twice day
I thought detected q slight note of
pique in her voice, But il was so alight
that it was hardly worth while to eIult.
80 you thought had deserted you,"
said, and was a little surprised at the
gruffness in my voice,
1.-THE violets appessed ME, she said, with
a smile. For the first time l noticed that
she was wearing largo bunch Of them.
you will be bankrupt, Mr., Smart, IL you
keep on buying roses and violets and orchids
for me"
So the roses were mine also ] shot q
swift glance at the mantelpiece, rresistibly
moved by some mysterious force. There were
two bowls OF orchids there. j couldn't help
thinking Of the mcddlng oyer-Eealous geni
that served the hero Of Anstey's Brass
Bottle" tale He was being outdone by my
efficacious secretary.
'But they are lovely" she cried, noting
the expression in my face and misconstruing
IL, "You are an angel"
That was the last straw. ~ an nothing
of the Sort l exclaimed, very hot and
uncomfortable
"You are, was her retort. ''Therol
Isn't 1t lovely centre.pieceY Now, you
must come and SEQ Rosemary. She Rdores
the new elephant you sent to her"
"Ele-" began, blinking my eyes, "Oh
oh, yes, yes Ha ha the elephant"
Good Heavens, had that idiotic Poopondyko
started q menagerio in my castlol
l was vastly relieved to find that the
elephant was made Of felt and mot too large
to keep Rosemary from welding Il skilfully
in an As8ault upon the haplcss Jinko. She
had It firmly grippcd by the proboscis, and
she was shrieking with delight. Jinko was
barking In vain glorious defence. The racket
was terrible.
The Countess succeeded in uuolling the dis.
turbance and Rosemary ran up to kiss me
Jinko, who disliked mo because ! looked like
the Count also ran up, but his object was 10
bito me. / made up my mind there and
then that II ] shonld ever, by any chance,
fall in love with his mistress would in.
augurate the courting period by Staying
Jinko.
Rosemary glooiully permitted me TO sip
honey from that warm little spot on her
neck, and | forgot many odious things As
held her in my arms ] experienced vivid
longing TO have a child Of my own, just like
Rosemary.
Our luncheon was not az gay nor an un.
conventional as others that had preceded H.
The Countess vainly tried to make II a.
sprightly as It's predecessors, but gave over
in despair In The face Of my taeitumity. Hor
apirts dropped, She became strangely uneasy
and, ! thought, prooecupiod
what Is on your mind, Countcssi"
asked rather guffly after a painful biloneo
Of some duration.
She regarded mo fixodly for a moment. |
She seemed TO be searching my thoughts |
'You," she said very suocinotly. "Why arc
you SO quiet, 80 funcralT' ] observed q |
faint tinge Of red in her ohoeku and IA |
ominous stoadlness in her gaze. Was there
anger alaoi
I apologized for my manners. and assured |
her that my work was rosponsble- But her |
moodiness increased Al last, apparently At
the end Of her resources, she announced that |
she was tired-that after wo had had . |
cigarette she would ask 10 be excused, a.
ahc wanted 10 lie down. Would ] como 10
aoc hor tho next dayH
''But don't think Of coming, Mr.. Smart, " |
sho declared, II you feel you cannot paro
the time away from your work.
began 10 feel heartily ashamed Of my |
boorithnoas After all, why should o1pond |
my unpleasant humor on hcri
my dear Countess" ] exclaimed dis |
playing a livclior interest than Al any tlma
before 81 shall be delighted 10 come Per.
nit mo 10 ndd that my work may 20 hang
Her face frightened. ''But men must
work." she objected
Not when women are willing 70 play"
] said
"splondidl" rho oricd. ''You arc rc.
viving I feel better, II you Arv going 10
be nice, IN lot you stay"
"ThanlH. IN do my best"
6he seemed 10 be Weighing something In
her mind, Her chin wAu In her hands her
elbows resting on The edge Of the table shs
was regarding me with speculative eyer.
III you don't mind what The servants
are saying about u.s. Mr., Smart ! am quito
auro / do not"
caught my breath.
''oh, I undcrstand everything" sho cried
before ] could htammer any,