The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-05
CONTINUED

1T Is very interesting. Mr.. Smart
Rather beats any novel I've read late
ly. We-we've brought 1t quite mp te
date. ] wrote at least three pages
about the dinner last night, II am
to believe what she puts into her diary
1t must have, been delightful occa
sion. as the newspapers would say"
was somewhat notified What die
she have TO say about 1t, Fred?" ]
asked. 1t always pleased him to be
called Fred.
That would be betraying a conf
dence." said he. Il will say this much
however, think / wrote your name
fifty times or more in connection
with it."
Rubbish" said L.
Not at ALL" said he, with agreeable
spirit.
A sudden chill came over me. "She
isn't figuring on having it published
is she:"
Il can't say as to that" was his dis
quieting reply. 1T wasn't any of my
business, so | didn't ask
oh" said |. Il see"
Il think il is safe to assume, how
ever, that 1t is not meant for publica
ton" said he. 1T strikes me az being
bit too personal. There are parts OF
1t that ! don't believe she'd dare to pu,
into print. although she reeed them of
to me without so much as a blush
'Pon my soul, Mr.. Smart. | never was
so embarrassed in my life. She
"Never mind" | interrupted hastily
Don't tell tales out of school"
He was silent for moment, finger
ing his big eyeglasses nervonsly. III
may please you to know that she thinks
you are an exceedingly nice man"
mo. 1t doesn'tr' / roarcd irascibly
I'm blamed If | like being called an
exceedingly nice man."
"They were my words. sir, not hers
he explained desperately. II was mere
ly putting two and two together form
ing an opinion from her manner, not
from her words. She is very partcu'
lar to mention everything you do for
her and thanks me If call her atten'
ton to anything she may have forgot.
ten. She certainly appreciates your
kindness to the baby"
'That Is extremely gratifying" said
l acidly.
He hesitated once more. "Of course
you understand that the divorce itself
is absolute. It's only the matter vi
the child that remains unsettled. The
fairly barked him What the
mischief do you mean by that, sir?
What has the divorce got to do
with IT."
"A great deal. should say" said he.
with the rare. almost superhumau pa
thence that has made him so valuable
TO me
Upon my soul." was all that
could say.
Hawkes. raped on the door luckily
at that instant.
THE men from the telephone COM
pany are here. sir, and the electricians.
Where are they to begin. sir?"
TELL them 70 wait" said |. Then |
hurried to the top of the east wing to
ask II she had the least objection TO
an extension phone being placed in my
study She thought 1t would be very
nice. so | returned with instructions
for the men to put in three Instruments
one in her room. one In mine and one
In the hntler's pantry. 1t seemed
very jolly arrangement all round AS
for the electric bell system. 1t would
speak for itself.
Toward the middle of the afternoon
when Mr.. Poopendyke and were hard
at work on my synopsis we were star
tied by dull. mysterious pounding on
the wall hard by. We paused to listen
1t was quite impossible to locate the
sound, which ceased almost immedi- |
ntely. Our first thought was that the |
telephone men were drilling q hole
through The wall into my study. Then !
rame the sharp rat-a-ta- tat once more.
Even ms we looked about us in bewil.
derment the portly facade of Ludwig
the Red moved out of alignment with
a heart rendlDg squeak and a long thin
streak of black appeared at the inner
edge of the frame. growing wider-and
blacker if anything-bef our startled
eyes.
Are yon at homer" inquired a voice
that couldn't by any means have ema.
bated from the chest of Ludwig, even
In his mellowest hours.
leaped to my feet and started across
the room with great strides. My sec.
retary's eyes were glued to the magic
portrait
by the Lord Harryr | cried. "Yesm
The secret door swung quietly open.
laying Ludwig's face to the wall. and
In the aperture stood my amazing
neighbor. as lovely a portrait as you'd
see In years "trip through all the
galleries In the world. She was smil.
ing down upon us from the slightly
elevated position. a charming figure In
the very latest Partisan hat and gown.
u am out making afternoon calls"
said she. Her face ws flushed with ex.
cftement and self consciousness. "Will
You please put chair here so that I
may hop DOWN.
For answer I reached up a pair OF
valiant arms. She laughed. leaned for
ward and placed her hands on my
shoulders. My hands found her waist
and lifted her gently, gracefully to
the floor.
|