The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-15
CONTINUED

an aSgrieved 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 IL 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 stim.
ulant. But there was no sign of q
single Titus.
Later ventured forth in Poopen.
dykes best suit of clothes, the one he
uses when he passes the plate on Sun.
days in faraway Yonkers. II smeled
ot moth balls. but 1t was gloriously
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 big armchair. forloru
but lovely thing in pink peignoir'
Her rumpled brown hair nestled il
the angle of the chair; her hands
dropped listlessly at her sides; dark
lashes lay upon the soft white cheeks
her lips were 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 fol
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 were on the verge OF
being safely outside with me when
she cried out. whereupon swiftly
transposed myself and stuck my head
through the half open door.
"Oh, it's you!" she cried. in a 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.
ly rubbed her eyes.
Yes. 1t 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 ~ ut is still /. countess. despite
the shrinkage"
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. always shrink when ! get
wet" l 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 enveoping them. 1t was
too much for me to stand. squeezed
her hand with painful fervor and then
released it in trepida tion.
"Poopendyke goes to church in it,"
said vaguely, leaving her to guess
what it was that Poopendyke went
to church in. or, perhaps. knowina'w hat
meant. how happened to be il it
for the time being. You've been cry
ing
Her eyes were red and suspiciously
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
and amiable. expected you to glover
and growl and
"On bright, glorious. sunshiny
morning like this?' cried. Never.
| prefer to be graciously refulgent.
Our troubles are behind us"
How good you are!" After mo-
ment's careful scrutiny of my face she
added. Il can see the traces of very
black thoughts, Mr. Smart. and recent
ones"
They 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 Resoutely l put my awkward.
ungainly arms behind my back and
Strengthened my figure. | was curl
Ously impressed by the discovery that
was very, very tall and she very
much smaller than my memory record
ed or course had no means OF
knowing that she was in bedroom slip
pers and not In the customary high
heeled boots that gave her an inch and
a half OF false stature.
"Your mother is here remarked
hurriedly.
She glanced toward my bedroom door,
"Oh. what a night" she sighed. u
did all that Gould to keep her out of
your he'd. 1t was useless. | did cry,
Mr. Smart. | know you must hate all
Of u.s.
laughed. "'Love thy neighbor as
myself" quoted You are my
neighbur. countess. Don't forget that