The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-06-03
Copyright. 1915. by George Barr
McCutcheon.

sess, Mr.. Smart. think If you take a
couple of rolls at the bottom OF the
trousers they'll be presentabe. The
coat may be Il little long for you,
but
My loud laughter cut him short.
Its the pest l could do" he said In
an aggrieved voice.
| had a secret hope that the countess
would be in the courtyard to welcome
me. but was disappointed. Old Gretel
met me and wept over me, as ii l was
not already sufficiently moist. The
chef came running out to say that
breakfast would be ready for me when
desired it; Blatchford felt Of my coat
sleeve and told me that | was quite
wet; Hawkes. had two large. steaming
toddies waiting for us in the vestibule.
apparently fearing that we could get
no farther without the aid of Il Stim-
ulnut But there was no sign Of
single Titus.
Later | yentured forth in Poopen-
dykes best suit of clothes. the one he
uses when he passes the plate Oh Sun
days in PARKWAY Yonkers. 1t smelled
of moth balls. but it was glorously
dry, so why carp: We sneaked down
the corridor past my own bedroom
door and stole into the study
Just inside the door stopped in
amazement. The countess was sound
asleep in my Zig armchair. a fororD
but lovely thing in a pink peignoir
Her runpled brown hair nestled in
the angle of the chair; her hands
dropped listlessly at her sides; dark
lashes lay upon the soft white cheeks;
her lips We're parted ever so slightly.
and her bosom rose and fell in the long
swell of perfect repose.
Poopendyke clutched me by the arm
and drew me toward the door or
might have stood there transfXed for
heaven knows how long.
"She's asleep he whispered.
1t was the second time in twelve
hours that some one had intimated that
| was blind.
The door creaked villainously. The
gaunt. ecclesiastical tails of my Dor.
rowed frock coat We're on the verge of
being safely outside With me when
she cried out, whereupon l swiftly
transposed myself and stuck my head
through the half open door.
"Oh, it's you." she cried, in qua,
very voice. She was leaning forward
| in the chair, her eyes wide open and
eager.
advanced into the room. A look of
| doubt sprang into her face. She stared
for moment and then rather piteous
| " rubbed her eyes.
Eyes. it is L." said I. spreading my
arms in such way that my hands
emerged from the confines of Poopen
dykes sleeves. Upon my word, had
no idea that he was so much longer
than 10 at is still l, countess, despite
the shrinkage."
1.-THE shrinkage?" she murmured,
slowly sliding out of the chair. AS
she unbent her cramped leg she made a
little grimace of pain, but smiled as she
limped toward me. her hand extended.
YES, l always shrink when l get
wet" I explained, resorting to face
tiousness.
Then ! bent over her hand and kiss
ed it. AS l neglected to release it at
once. the cuff of Poopendyke's best
coat slid down over our two hands.
completely enyeloping them. 1t was
too much for me to stand. ! squeezed
her hand with painful fervor and then
released it in trepidation.
"Poopendyke goes to church in it,"
| said vaguely, leaving her to guess
what it was that Poopendyke went
to church in. or. perhaps. knowing what
| meant, how happened to be in it
for the time being. you've been cry
ing
moist.
AS she met my concerned gaze, a
wavering. whimsical smile crept into
her face.
1T has been a disgustingly wet
night" she said. "Oh. you don't know
how happy ! am to see you standing
here once more, safe and sound, and
anu Au4laUIC. CApC(tCO w W SAO"S "a
and growl and"-
ION a bright, glorious. sunshiny
morning like this?" l cried. "Never'
| prefer to be graciously refulgent
Our troubles are behind u.s.
How good you are!' After mo-
ment's careful scrutiny of my face she
added. II can see the traces Of very
black thoughts, Mr.. Smart and recent
ones"
"rhey were black until came into
this room," | confessed. "Now they
are rose tinted"
She bent her slender body little to
ward me, and the red seemed to LEAP
back into her lips as if propelled by
magic Resolutely put my awkward
ungainly arms behind my back an(
Strengthened my figure. was curl
ously impressed by the discovery tina,
| was very, very tall and she very