The Ordway new era., 1915-02-12

StayeO tnefe. Mr. sam was theTe, Dut
what could he do? Mr.. Pierce walked
over to Miss Patty. took her hand.
said, Hello there!" and kissed her. 1t
was awful.
| Most women will do anything to
save a scene. and that helped us. for
| she never turned hair But when
Mr.. Sam got him by the arm and led
him toward the stairs, she turned SO
that the old cats sitting around could
not see her and her face was scarlet
She went over to the wood fre-our
lobby is a sort OF big room with chairs
and tables and palms. and an open
fire in the wipter-and sat down.
don't think she knew herself whether
she was most astonished or angry.
Mrs. Biggs gave nasty laugh.
Your brother didn't see you." she
said to Mrs. Van Alstyne. 81 dare say
a sister doesn't count much when q
future princess Is around"
Mrs. Van Alstyne was still staring
up the staircase. but she came to her
self at that. She had some grit in
her, II she did look like French doll
| MY brother and Miss Jennings are
very old friends" she remarked qui-
etly. believe that was what she
thought, too. I don't think she had
seen the other red rose. and what was
she to think but that Mr.. Pierce had
known Miss Jennings somewhere? She
was dazed. Mrs. Sam was. But she
carried off the situation anyhow. and
gave us time to breathe We needed 1t.
"If / were his highness." said Miss
Cobb. spreading the Irish lace collar
she was making over her knee and
squirting at it. Il should wish my
fancee to be more-er-dignified
Those old Austrian families are very
naughty They would not understand
our American habit OF osculation."
l was pretty mad at that. for any
body could have seen Miss Patty
didn't kiss him.
"If by oscillation you mean kissing,
Miss Cobb.' said going over to her.
l..I guess you don't remember the Aus
trian count who was head waiter
here. II there Was anything In the
l.way OF osculation, that that member
OF an old Austrian family didn't
know, I've got to find 1t out. He
could kiss all around any American !
ever saw!" S4
went back to my news stand. l
was shaking SO my knees would hard
ly hold me. All could think of was
that they had swallowed Mr.. Pierce.
bait and hook, and that for time we
were saved. although in the electric
light Mr.. Pisece WAS q good bit less
like Dicky Carter than he had seemed
to be in the spring-house by the fire.
Well, "ea6cient unto the day 10 the
evil thereof"
Everybody went to bed early. Mr..
Thoburn came over and bought cigar
on his way upstairs. and he was as
gloomy as he had been cheerful before.
Well" I said. II guess you won't
put dancing floor in the dining-room
Just yet. Mr.. Thoburn." 2
I'm not in a hurry" he snapped.
"It's only January. and l don't want
the place until May. I'll get 1t when
I'm ready for it. had good look
at young Carter, and he's got too
square Jaw to run successful neu-
rasthenics' home.
went to the pantry shelf at ten
O'Clock and fixed tray OF supper for
Mr.. Pierce. l found some chicken and
had kept the key of his wine-cellar
since he died-and carried the tray up
to Mr.. Pierces sittiuz-room. He had
the old Doctors suite.
The door was open an inch or SO.
and as | was about to knock heard
a girls voice. 1t was Miss Patty!
How can you deny lit" she was
saying angrily. 81 dare say you will
even deny that you ever saw this let
ter befcre!"
There was minutes pause while I
suppose he looked at the letter
Il never did!" he said solemnly.
Perhaps" said Miss Patty, you
also deny that you were in Ohio the
day before yesterday"
81 was in Ohio. but positively as
sert-"
"Mr. Carter. have asked my ques.
ton twice now and l am waiting for
an answer"
But l don't know the answer!" he
said miserably. IL assure you, I'm
absolutely in the dark. I don't know
what's In the letter. haven't always
done what should. dare say, but
my conduct in the state Of Ohio during
the last few weeks has been without
stain-unless I've forgotten-but II it
had been anything very heinous, I'd
remember. don't you think"
Somebody crossed the room, and q
paper rustled.
Read that!" said Miss Patty's voice
And then silence for a minute.
( Good Lord," exclaimed Mr. Pierce.
do you deny that"
4 Absolutely" he said firmly. IL
have never even heard of the Rever-
end Dwight Johnstone-"
And that is all you will say?" de-
manded Miss Patty scornfully. You
don't know Saere's a mistake;' you
never saw tho letter before!' Oh. IL
were only mani"
"Iu tell you what we1l do" Mr..