The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-12

ever. Mr. Smart. VIII you bear with
me patiently for & little while longery
She seemed strangely subdued.
Il can bear with you much easier
than can bear the thought Of being
rid ot you.' said in q very low voice.
She pressed my clumsy hand fiercely,
and felt no pain.
You have been too good to me-" she
said in very small voice. Some day,
when l am out of all this trouble. |
may be able to tell you how much |
appreciate all you have done for me-"
An almost irresistible-I was about
TO say vernable-impulse TO seize
her in my arms came over me, but |
conquered it and rushed after Mr..
Bangs as blind as q bat and reeIing
for Il dozen steps or more. lt was q
most extraordinary feeling.
Bangs was chattering In his glib
English fashion as we descended TO
my study. but l did not hear half that
he said.
One remark Of bis brought me rather
sbarpiy to my senses.
IF all goes WE'LL" he was sa wing.
-she should be safely away from here
on the 14th. That leaves less than ten
days more, sir. under your hospital BILE
roof"
LESS than ten days" l repeated
This was the 5th of the month. III
all goes we'll Less than ten days"
Again l passed a sleepless night
She came to visit me at 10 O'Clock
the next day. | was alone in the study.
Poopendyke was showing Mr.. Bangs
over the castle.
Il came TO dress your hand for you."
she said as l helped her down from
Red Ludwig's frame.
Now. have neglected to mention
that the back Of my hand was swollen
to enormous proportions, an unloveIy
thing.
Thank you." l said. shaking nv
bead. but II is quite all right. Britton
attended to ii this morning. II is good
ef you TO think about II, countess"
"You will never let me do anything
for you." she said Her eyes were vel.
Eety. TT isn't fair. have exacted so
much from you. and
And | have been most brutal and
snfeeling In many OF the things | have
said TO vou." said despairiugly. am
ashamed OF the nasty wounds have
given you. My state Of repentance al.
lows you TO exact whatsoever you will
OF me, and when all Is said and done
shall still be your debtor. Can you,
will you pardon the coarse opinions OF
i conceited ass? | assure you l am
not the man l was when you hrst en-.
eountered me-"
She smiled. For that matter, I am
not the same woman | was, Mr.. Smart
You have taught me three things. one
Of which | may menton-the subjec.
ton Of self. That, with the other two.
has made a new Aline Titus OF me.
hope you may be pleased with the
TRANSPORTATION
Il wish you were Aline Titus" said,
struck by the idea
You may at least be sure that
shall not remain the Countess Tar.
nowsy long. Mr.. Smart" she said. with
a very puzzling expression In her eyes
Ny heart sank But | reusem Der
hearing you say not so very long age
that you would never marry again" ]
rallied.
She regarded me rather oddly for q
moment Il am very. very glad that
you are such steady, sensible. prac.
t1cal man. A yapid. impressiona BILE
youth. during this season of propinQui.
Y, might have been so foolish as to
fall in love with me, and that would
have been too bad"
think glared at her. "Then-then.
you are going to marry some one?"
She waited moment looking
straight into my eyes. YES" che said,
and a delicate pink stole into her
cheek, Il am going to marry some
one"
! muttered something about congrat-
ulatiug lucky dog. but It was all very
hazy TO me.
Don't congratulate him yet" she
cried. the flush deepening. 81 may be
very. very great disappointment to
him and a never ending nuisance"
I'm sure you will-will be all right"
I foundered. Then resorted to gaiety
''You see. I've spent lot of time try
ing toto make another woman of
you. and so I'm confident he'll find you
quite satisfactory"
She laughed gaily. what a goose
you arer' she cried.
flushed painfully. for. give you
my word. it hurt to have her laugh nj
me. She sobered at once.
Forgive me-" she said very prettily
and forgave ber. DO you know
we've never given the buried treas
ure another thought:" she went on
abruptly changing the subject. Arr
We not to go searching for itT'
But 1t isn't there" said |. steeline
my heart against the longing that tried
to creep into II. It's all balderdash."
She pouted her warm red lips. Have
you lost interest in IL so soon?"
''Of course. I'll go any time you say"
said I. lifelessly. 1T will be a lark.
at all events"
Then we will go this very after
noon." she said. with enthusiasm.
Ny ridiculous heart gave a great
leap. This very afternoon" I said.
managing my voice very well.
She arose Now I must scurry
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