The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-10-16

firm and M strong AZ theirs. Il am
tho Countess CouTteau." said she.
'-rhe-whieh7" Mr.. Linton quoried.
with Il start.
The Countess laughed frankly. 1T
Is French. but I'm a Dane I think
my husband bought Tho title they're
cheap In his country lie was a poor
sort OF count and I'm poor Hort of
countess, but I'm good cook a
very good cook indeed-=and n you'll
excuse my looks and permit me 10
wear your sweater III prepare sup.
per-"
IInton's eyes twinklod a. no said.
I've never CT with tho nobility and
l don't know m ia like their diet.
for steady thing. but--tho baking
powder 10 IN that box and wo Try
with bacon grease"
Wood and water were handy. the
Countess courtoau had a quick and
capable way. therefore supper was
not long delayed The tent was not
equipped for housekeeping. hence the
diners held their plates In their laps
and either harpoonsd their food from
tho frying pan or ladled Il from tin
cans. but even 70 Il had flavor to-
night so unhccus;omed. 80 different,
that both men Krasped the poignant
fact that tho culinary art is mysterl.
DUSTY welded 20 female hands. Air.
Linton voiced this thought In his own
manner.
III countess cooks like this" he
observed. "l'd sure loyo 20 board
with duke" Later. whiio IN. dishes
wero being washed and when hia
visitor had shown no intention Of OK,
planning her presence Ia further Dc.
TAIL. no said. whlmzicaily: SEQ here,
ma'am. our young friend haa been
watching you Ike no was afraid
you'd disappear before no gets an
syctul. and lt'a plain 20 30 seen that
he's dovoured by curiosity A. Tor
mo. I'm totally lacking Ia that mlssr.
able trait, and I abhor Il In others.
but all IN. samc. II you don't sec ~
20 tell us pretty quick how you came
10 pole up from Dawson and what In
Heavens nano n woman like you II
doing here. alone and without benefit
OF chapsron. shall pass away In
dreadful agony
ITS very simple" the countess
told him II have important busi.
moss outside couldn't SO down
tho river. for tho Yukon In low. tho
steamers arc aground on tho fats.
and connections az 81. Aichhsl's are
uncertain nj best. Naturally / came
UP against the stream. Two been
working upstream ali my ne"
She flashed him a smllo ~ this lat
ter statement. AS for a chHpsron~-
i've never felt me need OF one. DO
you think they're necessary in this
country
Does your husband, Count"
MY husband doesn't count. That's
tho trouble" The speaker laughed
again and without the faiuteSt trace
Of embarrassment. 'Ho has been
out OF the picture for years." She
turned to Phillips and inquired. alb
ruptly What IS the packing price to
Sheep Camp7'
Fifty cents n pound, coming this
way. Going back II is nothing" no
told her. gallantly.
IT haven't much 20 carry. but II
youm take II I'll pay you tho reFu-
lar price. Ia like 10 Leave ht day
light"
You seem TO be in rush" Mr..
Linton hazza ried. mildly
II am. Now. then. II you don't
mind III turn in. for must DO in
Dyea tomorrow night"
Tho Countess Courtreau. II seemed
10 him. was unique specimen and
extremely hard TO classify. in that
she was neither old nor younger.
what was even more puzzling, In that
she was both. In years sho wns not
far ndyanced--little older than he, In
fact--but in experience. in wisdom,
in selfrellGnce SHE was vastly his su.
perior, and experience, he believed. Is
what makes women old. As 20 tho
family. the suborder 10 which she be-
longed. no was nj an utter loss 10 dc.
eide. For instance, she accepted her
present situation with aangfrold
equaling that OF n camp harpy, II
few OF whom Pierce had seen; then,
too. she was. or had been. married
10 no-nccount foreigner 10 whom
she referred with n calloused and
most unwifoly flIppancyl Moreover,
sho bore herself with a freedom,
boldness. quite irroconcilnblo to the
modesty OF so-called good women"
Tho Countess Courtenu had been
first to arise; sho was fully dressed
and the sheet-iron stove was glow.
ing when her companions reused
themselves. BY tho time they had
returned from tho lake she had
breakfast ready.
"Old Jerry In going 10 be awful
sore Mt missing this court function"
Mr. Linton told her during the mcnl