The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-04-17


 plans. Mrs. Titus and her sons were to enter the castle under cover of night, and was to meet them in an automobile at a town some fifteen kilo7 meters away, where they would leave the train while their watchers were asleep, and bring them overland to Schlosss Rothhoefen. They would be accompanied by single Iady's maid and no luggage A chartered motor boat would meet us up the river few miles, and-weI, it looked very sim pie! All that was required of me was a willingness to address her as moth ers' and her sons as brothers" in case there were any questions asked. This was Tuesday. They were com ing on Thursday, and the train reach ed the station mentioned at half past 12 at night. So you will see it was a jolly arrangement.
 As we said good night to the count ess on the little landing at the top of the stairs she took my bandaged paw between her two little hands and said: t seYou will soon be rid of me for ever, MT. Smart will you bear with me patiently for little while longer" ?" She seemed strangely ssubdued.
 "T can bear with you much easier than can bear the thought of being rid of you, said in very low voice. She pressed my clumsy hand fercely, and felt no pain.
 ssYou have been too good to me-" she said in very small voice. Some day, when am out of all this trouble, I may be able to tell you how much I appreciate all you have done for me- An almost irresist1bIe-I was about
 
 her in my arms came over me, but I conquered it and rushed after MT. Bangs as blind as a bat and reeling for a dozen steps or more It was a most extraordinary feeling
 Bangs was chattering in his glib English fashion as we descended to my study, but I did not hear half that he said
 One remark of his brought me rather sharply to my senses.
 tsIf all goes WeIl,' he was saying, tsshe should be safely away from here on the 14th. That leaves less than ten days more, sirs under your hospitable roof.''
 Less than ten days,r I repeated. This was the 9th of the month. "If all goes well. Less than ten days::'' Again passed a sleepIess night She came to visit nae at 12 o'clock ] the next day. I was alone in the study. Poopendyke was showing MT. Bangs ever the castle.
 q came to dress your hand for you, ? she said as I helped her down from Red Ludwigs frame.
 Now, I have neglected to mention that the back of my hand was swollen to enormous proportions, an un1ovely Ndng.
 sAThank you,'' I said, shaking my head, .sbut it is quite all right. Brftton attended to it this morning It Is good of you to think about it, countess. 2 ssYou will never let me do anything for you,'' she said. Her eyes were vel vety. .It isn't fair I have exacted so much from you, and''- v "And have been most brutal and unfeeIing in many of the things I have said to you.'' said despairingly. "I am ashamed of the nasty wounds I 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 o1 . conceited ass2 I assure you am not the man I was when you first en
 
 She smiled "For that matter, I am not the same woman was, MT. Smart You have taught me three things, one of which may mention-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 transfguration."
 sI wish you were A1ine Titus,'' said struck by the idea .ss5 sYou may at least be sure that shall not remain the Countess Tar nowsy. long, MT. Smart" she said, with a very puzzling expression in her eyes My heart sank "But I remember hearing you say not so very long age that you would never marry again." railed.
 She regarded me rather oddly for 2 moment "I am very, very glad thai you are such a steady, sensible, prac ticaI man. A vap1d, impressions abls youth, during this season of propinqui ty. might have been so foolish as tC fall in love with me. and that woult have been too bad"
 think glared at her. s'Then-t1len you are going to marry some one?''
 She waited moment, looking straight into my eyes. 'sYes,'' she said and a delicate pink stole into he cheek, q am going to marry som one"
 muttered something about congrat Hlating lucky dog, but 1t was all yer.