The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-09-03
Copyright, 1913,
BY Geo. Barr
MeCutcheon.

!, blunderingly. She laughed aloud
her merriest, most distracting gurgle.
"And now will you be good enough
to tell me who 1 ami" she asked, after
a few minutes. "That is, who am
supposed to BET"
"Oh," said I uneasily, "you arc
really nobody. You are Britton g wifi" ="
"What! Does Britton know it9"
"Yes," said ], with wry smile.
"He took mean advantage of me
in the presence of George Hazard not
an hour ago, and asked for raise In
wages on account of his wife's illness.
1t seems that you are an invalid. "
81 hope he hasn It forgotten the baby
in his calculations
"He hasn't, you may be sure. He
has named the baby after me"
"How original"
~ thought it rather clever to change
Rosemary's sex for few days. said
l. Moreover, it will be necessary for
Britton to take Max's place as your
personal servant. He will fetch your
meals and"
"Oh, can't agree to that, Mr..
Smart she cried with decision. II
must have Max He is"
"But Britton must have some sort
of pretext for"
"Nonsense! No one cares about
Britton and his sick wife. Let well
enough alone. "
"I-I1l think it over, Countess"
said l weakly.
"And now tell me all about-Mr.
Pless. How is he lookingi Does he
appear to be unhappy" There was a
curious note in her voice, as of anxiety
or eagerness, it was hard to tell which.
In any case, found myself inwardly
resenting her interest in the sneering
Hungarian. Il had discovered that he
was not an Austrian). There was a
queer sinking sensation in the region
of my heart, and slight chill. Could
it be possible that she But no! 1t
was preposterous!
"He appears to be somewhat senti-
mental and preoccupied. He gazes at
the moon and bites his nails. -
ell wish l could have peep at
him some time without being"
"For heavens sake, dom even con-
slider such thing" l cried in alarm.
"Just little peek, Mr.. Smart" she
pleaded
"Nol" said I firmly.
every well, - she said resignedly,
fixing me with hurt eyes. "I'm sorry
to be such bother to YOU"
~ believe you Il 60 back to him,
after ALL" I said angrily. "Women
are all alike. They"
"Just because l want to see how un-
happy he is, and enjoy myself a little,
you say horrid things to me-" she
,ried, almost pathetically. "You treat
ne very badly"
"There is a great deal at stake"
aid I. "The peril is-well, it's enor-
nous. I am having the DEVILS own
ime heading off a scheme they got
or exploring the entire castle. Your
us-your ex husband says he knows of
secret door opening into this part Of
he"
She sprang to her feet with sharp
ry of alarm.
Heavens! II forgot about thati
here is secret panel and-heaven
ave us!-it opens directly into my
edroom!" Her eyes were very wide
nd full of CONSERVATION. She gripped
~ arm. "Come! Be quick! We must
lie something heavy against it, or
all it up, or-do something"
She fairly dragged me out into the
orridor, and then, picking up her
ainty skirts, pattered down the rickety
tairs at so swift pace that 1 had
,me difficulty in keeping her pink
igure in sight. Why is it that
oman can 60 downstairs so much fas-
,r than mani I've never been able
, explain it. She didn't stumble once,
r miss a step, while I did all manner
clumsy things, and once came near
, pitching headlong to the bottom.
70 went down and down and round
nd round so endlessly that | was not