The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-27

u
Obliged to release the somewhat cum.
oersome crowbar had been carrying
about with me. and it dropped with a
sullen thwack upon my toes. In mo-
ments OF gravity am always doing
something like that. The pain was
terrific. but ] clutched ut the forlorn
hope that she might ut least smile over
my agony.
81 beg your pardon" I began. and
then discovered that was not wear
ing a cap. 1t was most disconcerting.
so you would come" she said very
coldly and very ievelly.
"lt-it was necessary, madame" re
piled as best could. You dehed me.
! think you should have appreciated
my position. my mvtives-er-my"-
She silenced me-iuckily. heaven
knows-with curt exclamation.
Your position. Ii is Intensely Ma.
poleouic," said she. with tine irony.
Her gaze swept my horde of painting.
wide eyed house breakers. What Il
noble victory!''
myself. Rowing very stiffiy, re-
marked:
81 regret exceedingly to have been
forced to devastate my own property
in such trifing enterprise. madame
The physical loss is apparent>xyou can
see that for yourself-but. of course.
you have no means of estimating the
mental destruction that has been 60
ing on for days and days. You have
been hacking away at my poor. dis
tracted brain so persistently that it
really had to give way. In measure.
this should account for my present
lapse OF sanity. Weak mindedness Is
not a crime, but an atfiiction."
She did not smile.
We'll. now that you are here. MIR.
Smart. may be so bold as to inquire
what you are going to do about it?'
reflected. 81 think, If you don't
mind, III come In and sit down. That
was deuce Of rap got across the
toes. lam sure 10 he great deal
more lenient and agreeable II I'm ask
ed to come in and see you. Incidental.
ly thought I'D step up to inquire how
your headache Is getting on. Better, /
hope?"
She turned her face away. l suspect.
ed smile
IF you choose to hang your old
castle TO pieces In order TO satisfy a
masculine curiosity. MIR. Smart, | have
nothing more TO say" she said. facing
me again still ominously. TO my de-
spair. Confound IL all. she was such
a slim. helpless little thing-and all
alone against mob of hurly rufiians.
VIII you be good enough to send your
your army away. or do yon prefer to
have 1t on hand In case | should take
1t into my head TO attack you?"
Take EN- away. Mr.. foopendyke."
commanded hurriedly. As they crowd.
ed down the short. narrow stairway {
remarked old Conrad and his two sons
standing over against the wall. three
very sinister figures.
Il see. madame. that you do not dis
miss your army" | said. blandiy sar-
castle.
"Oh. you dear old Conradr' she cried,
catching sight of the hitherto submerg.
ed SchmickS. The three uf them bob
bed and scraped and grinned from ear
to ear. There could be no mIstaking
the intensity of their joy. Don't look
so sad. Conrad. know you are blame
less You NOR old daor,-
l have never seen any one who look.
ed less sad than Conrad Schmick. |
rather peremptorily ordered him be-
low.
II will attend to ron presently-all
of you." said /. They did not move.
do you hear meT' / snapped angrily.
They looked stolidly at the slim young
lady.
She smiled. rather proudly. thought.
"You may go. Conrad. shall not need
you. Max. will you fetch up another
scuttle Of coaiT'
They took their orders from her!
by love" said. looking after my
trusty men servants as they descended.
Il like this! Are they my servants or
yours7"
"Oh. | suppose they are yours. Mr..
Smart" she said carelessly. "wili yon
come in now and make yourself quite
at home?"
Perhaps I'd better wait for a day
or two" said. !. waverng. your
headache. you know. 1 can vait tusf
as we'll as
'Oh. no. Since you've gone to all
the trouble suppose you ought to
have something for your pains"
"PainsY murmured. and declare
to heaven llmped as I followed her
through the door Into q tiny hall.
you are a most unreasonable man"
she said. throwing open q small door
at the end of the hall. 81 am terribly
disappointed In you. You looked to be
80 nice and sensible and amiable."
-Oh. I'm not such a nincompoop as
you might suspect madame" said
testify. far from complimented
"And now. Mr.. Smart. will ron he kind
enough to explain this Incomprehensi.
BILE proceeding on your pertf~ she said.
facing me sternly.
But was dumb. ! stood just inside
the door Of the most remarkable apart.
ment 1t has ever been my good for.
tune to look upon. Ny senses reeIed.
Was ] awake? Was this q part OF the