The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-16
scOuasanued.N

| Iy upon Ludwig's pudgy knee. The next instant there was click, and then the secret door swung open, re Vealing the eager, concerned face of | B1y neighbor.
 What has happened? she cried. lifted her out of the frame. Her ! gaze fell upon the bandaged fist.
 ssMr. Bangs spoke of a pistol Don't tell me that he-he shot youY'
 I held up my swollen hand rather | proudly. It smelled vilely of arnica. seThis wound was self inflicted, my Hear countess" said, thrilled by her expression of concern. q had the ex- quisite pleasure-and pain-of knocking your former husband down. stOh, splendid!' she cried, her eyes gleaming with excitement. MT. Bangs was rather hazy about it, and he would not let me risk telephoning. You knock ed Marts .down?'
 e'Emphatica1ly,' said I.
 She unused. q think it is the first time it has ever happened to aim. How how did he like it7'
 'It appeared to prostrate him"
 She smiled understanding1y T am glad you did it, MT. Smart.
 "If remember correctly, you once said that he had struck you, countess Her face flushed. 'sYes, on three separate occasions he struck me In the face with his open hand. I-I testified to that effect at the trial. Every one seemed to look upon it as joke. He swore that they were-were love pats" :"
 q hope his lack of discrimination will not lead him to believe that was delivering love pat" said I grimly.
 ssNow tell me everything that hap pened,'' she said, seating herself in my big armchair. Her feet failed to touch the floor.
 When I came to that part of the story where I accused Tarnowsy of duplicity in connection with the fires eoes she betrayed intense excitement.
 'sOf course it was all a bluff on my part,'' I explained.
 'But you were nearer the truth than you thought she said. compressing her lips After a moment she went on: Count Hohendahl sold the origi- Inals over three years ago, I was here with Maris at the time of the transac- ton and when the paintings were re moved. Maris acted as an interme diary in the deal. Hohendah1 received $2o0OO0 for the paintings, but they were worth it. I have reason to be lieve that Maris had fourth of the amount for his commission. Sos you see, you were right in your surmise
 sHtThe internal rascal! Where are tht originals, countess2"
 ''They ares in my fathers villa a Newport she said, 'I intended speak ing of this to you before, but I wa' afraid your pride would be hurt. O. course should have spoken if it came to the point where you really consid cred having those forgeries restored"
 'He will challenge you," she went ol ] nervously "He has fought three duels 1 He is not physical coward" He dark eyes were full of dread.
 I hesitated would you be vitall! interested in the outcome of such al affair?'' I asked. q mean on Rose mary's account. He-he is her father 1 you see. It would mean
 A slow flush mounted to her brow s@That is precisely what I was think ing, Mr. Smart. It would -unspeak ably dreadful.
 I stood over her. My heart wa pounding heavily. She must have seel the peril that lay in my eyes, for sh l suddenly slipped out of the chair am 1 faced me, the flush dying in her cheek l leaving 1t as pale as ivory i. 3sYou must not say anything more MT. Smart she said gently. A bitter smile came to my lips, and drew back with sickening sense Q realization. There was nothing nor to be said. But I now thoroughly un derstood one thing-I was in love wit her!
 I was something of philosopher. submit that my attitude at the time o my defeat at the hands of the jeweler' clerk proves the point conclusively Quite before I knew it I was mysel again, a steady, self reliant person wh could make the best of situation, Wh could take his medicine like man.
 She was speaking of the buttonles lawyer. MT. Bangs "He is waiting t see you this evening, MT. Smart, to diE cuss ways and means of getting m mother and brothers into the eastl without discovery by the spies who ar undoubtedly watching their ever move"
 drew in another long, deep breatl seIt seems to me that the thing cannC be done. The risk is tremendous. Wh not head her of?''
 Head her offa You do not know 10 mother, MT. Smart. She has made U her mind that her place is here wit me, and there isn't anything in tt world that can-head her off, as yc say."
 k '.But surely you see the dangerT'