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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1923-09-14, Page 7rt After Every A universal custom that benefits every- body. Aids digestion, Meal cleanses the teeth, ei soothes the throat. WRIGL a good thing *remember Sealed in its Purity Package THE FLAVOR LASTS 8 lb.. cotton melt REMNANTS $1. 6 lbs. $2, se lbs $8, 26 lbs. $6, 1 lb. silk or velvet patebes 81.60, E 1 82. 2 lbe cotton remnants Vied lengths for children's dress., Weal. .hlrta, etc. 81.60. 1 lb. angering yarn all shades, Cl. A. McCREERY sit CO , Importer., CHATHAM. Ont THE McKILLOP MUTUAL VIRE INSURANCE CO'Y. HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, ONT. OFFICERS: J. Connolly, Goderieh - - President has. Evans, Beechwood, vice-president D. F. McGregor, Seaforth, Sec.-Treas. AGENTS: Alex. Leitch, R. R. No. I, Clinton; W. E. Hinchley, Seaforth; John Mur- ray, Egmondville; J. W. Yeo, Gode- rich; R. G. Jarmuth, Brodhagen. DIRECTORS: William Rinn, No. 2, Seaforth; John Bennewies, Brodhagen; James Evans, Beechwood; M. McEwen, Clin- ton; James Connolly, Goderich; Alex. Broadfoat, No. 3, Seaforth; J. G. Grieve, No. 4, Walton; Robert Ferris, Harlock; George McCartney, No, 3, Seaforth; Murray Gibson, Brucefleld. ta1Ui mS MONEY By ."t• 'Z ww O GEORGE BAR McCIJTOHEON O Dodd, Mead 4.Co)npany OO,000OQOQO4. (Continued from kirk week.) itsi fie o ly '"1 am 'so O` pieced you in thitt dreadful p04 i'o_, Mr. Sittr'wt. l shelll never f ergive my, self for 4" • 4 "You are i!rT no way concerned °yin • e wt#I" hal h• what happened to-daVY I ante* 'uptadl "It .was a purely personal affair. Moreover he will not challenge me." O "He has fought three duels," she said. �Hd it 2)et a physical coward." O Her dark eyes were full of dread. I hesitated., "Would you be vitally p interested in, the outcome of such, an affair?" I asked, My voice • was strangely husky. "Oh, how can you ask?" "I mean, on Rosemary's account," I stammered. "He—he is her father, you see. It would mean—" .� "I was not thinking of the danger to him, Mr. Smart," she said simply. "But can't you see how dreadful it would be if I were to kill Rosemary's father?". I cried, completely forget- ting myself. "Can't you seg?" A slow flush mounted to her brow. "That is precisely what I was think- ing, Mr. Smart. It would be—un- speakably dreadful." I stood, over her. My heart was pounding heavily. She must have seen the peril that lay in my eyes, for she suddenly slipped out of the chair and faced me, the flush dying id her cheek, leaving it es pale as ivory. "You must not say anything more, Mr. Smart," she said gently. A bitter smile came to my lips, and I drew back with a sickening sense of realisation. There was nothing more to be said. But I now thoroughly understood one thing: I was in love with her! .. . I am something of a philosopher. I submit that my attitude at the time of my defeat at the hands of the jew- eller's clerk proves the point conclu- sively. If I failed at that time to inspire feelings of love in the breast of a giddy stenographer, what right had I to expect- anything Better from the beautiful Countess Tarnowsy, whose aspirations left nothing to the imagination? While she was prone to chat, without visible restraint at this significantly trying moment, I, being a philosopher. remained silent and thoughtful. Quite before I knew it, I was myself again: a steady, self-reliant person who could take his medicine like a man. Luckily, the medicine was not so hitter as it -might have been if I had made a vulgar, impassioned display of my emotions. Thank heaven, I had that to be thank- ful for. She was speaking of the buttonless lawyer, Mr. Bangs. "He is waiting to see you this evening, Mr. Smart, to discuss ways and means of getting my mother and brothers into the cas- tle without discovery by the spies who are undoubtedly watching their every move." I drew in another long, deep breath. "It seems to me that the thing can- not be done. The risk is tremendous. Why not head her off ?" "Head her off? You do not know my mother, Mr. Smart. She has made up her mind that her place is here with me, and there isn't anything in the world that can—head her off, as you say." "But surely you see the danger?''' "I do. I have tried to stop her. Mr. Bangs has tried to stop her. So has father. But she is coming. We must arrange something." I was pacing the floor in front of her. She had resumed her place in the chair. "My deepest regret, Countess, lies in the fact that our little visits will be—well, at an end. Our delightful little suppers and—" "Oh, but think of the comfort it will be to you, not having me on your mind all of the time. I shall not be forever annoying you with selfish de- mands upon your good nature. You will have time to write without in- terruption. It will be for the best." "No, said I, positively. "They were oily parties, and I shall miss them." She looked away quickly. "And, if all goes well, I shall soon be safely on my way to America. Then you will be rid of me completely." I was startled. "You mean that here is a plan afoot to—to smuggle you 'out of the country?" "Yes. And I fear I shall have to rouble you again when it comes to that. You must help me, Mr. Smart," I nodded slowly. Help her to get way? I hadn't thought of that late - y. The prospect left me rather cold nd sick." "I'll do all that I can, Countess." She smiled faintly, but I was cer- sin that I detected a challenge,—a ether unkind challenge,—in her eyes. "You will come to see me in New York, of course." I shook.my head. "I am afraid we are counting our chickens before they are hatched. One or the other of us may be in jail for the next few years." "Heavens!" "But I'll come to see you in New York if you'll let me," I cried, trying t to repair the damage I had done. "1 was jesting when I spoke of jail." Her brow was puckered in thought. "It has just occurred to me , my dear friend, that even if I do get safely away, you will be left, here to face the consequences. When it becomes known that you sheltered me, the auflforities may make it extremely uncomfortable for you." "I'm not worrying about that." ' "Just the same, it is something to worry about," she said, seriously. "Now, here is what I have had in mind for a long, long time. Why don't you come with me when I leave? I bad forgotten Mr. Bangs, the lawyer. Sitting alone in my study, late in the afternoon, slnoking a soli- tary pipe of peace, I remembered him; the man with the top button off. What had become of him? His pres- ence' (or, 'more accurately, his ab- sence) suddenly loomed up before me as the forerunner of an unwelcome invasion of my preserves. He was, no doubt, a sort of advance agent for the Tittle family and its immediate ramifications. Just as I was on the point of start- ing out to make inquiries concerning him, there came to my ears the sound of tapping on the back of Red Lud- wig's portrait. Not until then did it occur to me that I had been waiting for two hours for that simple mani- festation of interest and curiosity from the regions above. I rushed over and rapped resound- ingly upon Ludwig's pudgy knee. The next instant there was a click and then the secret door swung open, re- vealing the eager, concerned face of my neighbor. "What has happened?" she cried. I lifted her out of the frame. Her gaze Jell upon the bandaged fist. "Ml. Bangs spoke of a pistol. Don't tell me that he—he shot you!" I held up my swollen hand rather proudly. It smelled vilely of arnica. "This wound was self-inflicted, my dear Countess," I said, thrilled by her expression of concern. "I had the ex- quisite pleasure -and pain—of knock- ing your former husband down" "Oh, splendid!" she cried, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Mr. Bangs was rather hazy about it, and he would not let me risk telephoning. You knocked Maris down?" "Emphatically," said I. She mused. I think it is the first time it has ever happened to him. How—how did he like it?" "It appeared to prostrate him."- . She smiled understandingly. "I am glad' you did it Mr. Smart." "If 3 remember correctly, you once said that he had struck you, Count- ess." Her face flushed. "Yes. On three separate occasions he struck me in the face with his open hand. I—I testified to that effect at the trial. Every one seemed to look upon it as a joke. He swore that they were— were love pats." "I hope his lack of discrimination will not lead him to believe that I was delivering a love pat," said I, grimly. "Now, tell me everything that hap- pened," she said, seating herself in my big armchair. Her feet failed to touch the floor. She was wearing the little tan pumps. When I came to that part of the story where I accused Tarnowsy of duplicity in connection with the fres- coes, she betrayed intense excitement. "Of course it was all a bluff on my part," I explained. "But you were nearer the truth than you thought" she said, com- pressing her lips. After a moment she went on: "Count Hohendah] sold the originals over three years ago. I was here with Maria at the time of the transaction and when the paint- ings were removed, Maria acted as an intermediary in the deal. Hohen- dahl received two hundred thousand dollars for the paintings, but they were worth it. I have reason to be- lieve that Maris had a fourth of the amount for his coulnmission. So, you see, you were right in your surmise." j "The infernal rascal! Where are the originals, Countess?" "They are in my father's villa at Newport," she said. "I intended speaking of this to you before, but I was afraid your pride would be hurt. t Of course, I should have spoken if it came to the point where you really considered having these forgeries re- t stored." "Your father bought them?" "Yes. While we were spending our a honeymoon here in Schloss Rothhoe- I fen, Mr. Smart," she said. Her face a was very pale. I could see that the dark associa- t y�1 ` Refreshes Tired Eyes URINE Fpr YOUR &YES Write Murine Co., Chlcego,forEyeCere Boo& ifi.Jf•. lti u, ., ,s, �fi,�„h,h. ti•. �Uew Siattie !M-P':t T.E TREAT ENT Fertiliser --Grow f—ShaaPotr AU 3 in one pachliate $1,00 FOR PEOPLE WHO CARE to keep op their opparr SEVEN 01TTH E- RLAND SISTERS' O�$ATOIia will Waveform tbsir hair to ear .hado d.I d. A irimple halve treatment, Harmlre, Iuaw Pensive, durable. Ask be see card abewint 4,102 digereat dad.,, E. UMBACH; Druggist, Seafort&. That will be the safest plan.” "You are not in earnest." "Assuredly. The plan is something like this: I am to ,be taken by slow stages, overland, to a small Mediter- ranean port. One of a half dozen American yachts now cruising the sea will be ready to pick me up. Doesn't it seem simple?" "It seems simple enough," said L "But there are a lot of 'if's' between here 'had the little port you hope to reach. It will not be an easy matter to manage the successful flight of a party as large as yours will be." "Oh," she cried, "I shall be quite alone, except for Rosemary and Blake —and Mr., Bangs." "But your mother? You can't leave her here?' "You will have to smuggle her out of the castle a day or two in advance. It is all thought out, Mr. Smart." "By Jovel" I exclaimed, with more irascibility than I inteltded to show. "If I succeed in doing all that is ex- pected of me, I certainly will be en- titled to more than .an'invitation to come and see you in New York." She arose and laid her fingers upon my bandaged hand. The reckless light had died out of her eyes. "I have thought that out too, Mr. Smart," she said, quietly. And now, good-bye. You will come up to see Mr. Bangs to -night?" • Considerably mystified by her re- mark, I said I would come, and then assisted her through the opening in the wall. She smiled bacIS at me as the portrait swung into place. What did she mean? Was it pos- sible that she meant to have old man Titus reward me in a pecuniary way? The very thought of such a thing caused me to double up my fist —my recently discovered frst!—and to swear softly under my breath. After a few moments I was conscious of a fierce pain in the back of my hand. s S 5- -- Bangs was a shrewd lit^tje. English- man. As I shook hands with him— using my left hand with a superflu- ous apology—I glanced at the top of his waistcoat. There was no button missing. "The Countess sewed it on for me," he said drily, reading my thoughts. I stayed late with them, discussing plans. He had strongly advised a- gainst any attempt on Mrs. Titus's part to enter her daughter's hiding - place, but had been overruled. I con- ceived the notion, too, that he was a very strong-minded man. 'What then must have been the strength of Mrs. Titus's resolution to overcome the ob- jections he put in her way? He, too, had thought it alt out. Everybody seems to have thought everything out with a single exception —myself. His plan was not a bad one. Mrs. Titus and her sons were to enter the castle under cover of night, and I was to meet them in an automobile at a town some fifteen kilometers away, where they would leave the train while their watchers were asleep, and bring them overland to Schloss Rothhoefen. They woul'l be accompanied by a single lady's maid and no luggage. A chartered motor boat would meet us up the riv- er a few miles, and—well, it looked very simple! All .that was required of me was a willingness to address her as "Mother" and leer 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 twelve sit night. So you will see it was a jolly arrangement. I put Mr. Bangs up in my hest guest -chamber, and be it said to my credit, the Countess dict not have to suggest it to me. As we said good- night to her on the little landing at the top of the stairs, she took my bandaged paw between her two little hands and said: "You will soon be rid of me for- ever, Mr. Smart. Will you hear with me patiently for a litlln while long- er?" There was a nln ntive, appeal- ing note in her wire. She seemed strangely subdued. "T can bear with yen much easier than I can hear the tb 'ugll0'of`being rid of you," I said in a e'ry low voice. She pressed my clumsy hand fiercely, 'and I felt no pain, "Yon have been inn good to me." she said in e very small voice. "Some day, when I am out of SII this trouble, T may be able .to tell yen how much T appreciate all you have done for me." An almost irresistible—I was about to say ungovernable _impulse to seize her in my arms came over me, but I conquered it and rushed after Mr. Bangs, as blind es a hat and reeling for a dozen steps or more. It was a most extraordinary feeling. I found myself wondering if pas- sion- had that' effect. Oil all men. If this was an illustratnn of what a real passionate love could do to a sen- sible, level-headed person, then what, in heaven's name, was the emotion T had characterized as love during my placid courtship of the faintly re - e *Otaet�t' 1" !Tues war ohne inglisli'f>sell as We/4 :!)y study, )hut I did not, he Bald, ` Re 1oo104 $u wad,• or three of the answer, tnadel `.. 'his questions and Lunt altre thele trere several 'of thm OW I did respond to at all, Be must h1iKp thought me an unmannerly parsoar One remark of his brought rather sharply to my scutes. I seem- ed capable of grasping'its ,awful ids nificance when all the others: bad go by without notice. "If all goes well," he was saying "she should be safely away from h on the fourteenth. That leaves I than 'ten days more, sir, under yo hospitable roof." "Less than ten days," I repeatsd. This was the fifth of the month. ' all goes well. Less than ten days." Again I passed a sleepless nigh A feeling of the utmost lonelines and desolation grew up within me Less than ten days! And then sh would be "safely away" from me. Sh and Rosemary! There was a singl ray of brightness in the gloom the shrouded my thoughts; she' had urge me to fly away with her. She di not want to leave me behind to far the perils after she was safely out o them. God bless her for thinking o that! But of course what little common sense and judgment I had left within me told me that such a course wa entirely out of the question. I could not go away with her. I could do no more than to see her safely on her way to the queer little port on the east coast of Italy, Then I should return to my bleak, joyless castle,— to my sepulchre,—and suffer all the torments of the damned for days and weeks until word came that she was actually safe on the other side of the Atlantic. What courage, what pluck she had! Criminal? No, a thousand times no! She was claiming.her own, her dear- est own. The devil must have been in the people who set themselves up as judges to condemn her for fighting so bravely for that which God had given her. Curse them ail!" * r e I fear that my thoughts became more and more maudlin as the interminable night went on. Always they came back to the sick- ening realization that I was to lose her in ten days, and that my castle would be like a tomb. Of course the Blizzards and the Billy Smiths were possible panaceas, but what could they bring to ease the pangs of a secret nostalgia? Noth- ing but their own blissful content- ment, their own happiness to make my loneliness seem all the more hor- rible by contrast. Would it not be better for me to face it alone? Would t not be better to live the life of a hermit? She came to visit me at twelve o'- clock the next day. I was alone in he study. Poopendyke was showing Mr. Bangs over the castle. She was dressed in a gown of some oft grey material, 'and there was a bunch of violets at her girdle. "I came to dress your hand for you," she said as I helped her down coin Red Ludwig's frame. Now I have neglected to mention hat the back of my hand was swollen to enormous proportions, an unlovely hing. "Thank you," I said, shaking my cad; "but it is quite all right. Brit- on attended to it this morning. It s good of you to think about it, ountess. It isn't—" "I thought about it all night," she aid, and I could believe her after he light from the windows had fallen pon her face. There were dark cir- les under her eyes and she was quite ale. Her eyes seemed abnormally arge and brilliant. "I am so sorry of to be able to do one little thing or you. Will you not let me dress it fter this?" I colored. "Really, it—it is a most rifling bruise,"' I explained, "just a ittle black and blue, that's all. Pray o not think of it again." "You will never let me do anything or you," she said. Her eyes were elvety. "It isn't fair. I have ex- cted so much from you, and—" "And I have been most brutal and nfeeling in many of the things I ave said to you," said I, desparingly. I am ashamed of the nasty wounds have given you. My state of re- entance allows you to exact whatso- vet you will of me, and, when all is aid and done, I shall stili be your ebtor. Can you—will you pardon he coarse opinions of a conceited es? I assure you I am not the man was when you first encountered me." She smiled. "For Ihet matter, I n1 not the same woman I was, Mr. mart. You have taught me three hinge, one of which T may mention: he subjection of self. That, with he other two, has made a new Aline itis of me. I hope you may be leased with the—transfiguration" "I wish you were Aline Titus," I aid, struck by the idea. "You may at least he sure that I hall not remain the Countess Tarn- wsy long, Mr. Smart," she said, with very puzzling expression in her -es. My heart sank. "But I remember earing you say not so very long ago hat you would never marry again," railed. She regarded me rather oddly for moment. "I am very) very glad hat you are such a steady, sensible. rsctical man. A vapid, impression- ble youth, during this season of it a!E? , ue e. eIs ur If t. s e e e t d d f t 8 send for free fltxelt giving full pariic- nlars of Trench's world-famous prep- eratlonfor Epilepsy and Fits—simple home treatment, Over 80 years' emcees. Teettmmmnie from all parte of inn world; over 1000 In one seat. Write at enceta TRENCH'S REMEDIES LIMITED 2607 fat,J+> omen ob rs,On79 Adelaide St. B. TheIbacco propinquity, might have been so fool- ish as to fall in love with me, and that would have been too bad." I think I glared at her. "Then,— then, you are going to marry some one?"' She waited a moment, Iooking straight into my eyes. "Yes," she said, and a delicate pink stole into her cheek, "I am going to marry some one." I muttered something about con- gratulating a lucky dog, but it was all very hazy to me. "Don't congratulate him yet," she cried, the flush deepening. "I may be a very great disappointment to him, and a never-ending nuisance." "I'm sure you will—will be all right," I floundered. Then I resorted to gaiety. "You see, I've spent a lot of time trying to—to make another woman of you, and so I'm confident he'll find you quite satisfactory." She laughed gaily. "What a goose you are!" she cried. I flushed painfully, for, I give you my word, it hurt to have her laugh at Inc. She sobered at once. "Forgive me," she said very pretti- ly, and I forgave her. "Do you know we've never given the buried treasure another thought?" she went on, a- bruptly changing the subject. "Are we not to go searching for it?" "But it isn't there," said I, steeling my heart against the longing that tried to creep into it, "It's all bald- erdash." She pouted her warm red lips. "Have you lost interest in it so soon?" "Of course, I'll go any time you say," said I, lifelessly. It will be a lark, at all events." "Then we will gp this very after- noon," she said, with enthusiasm. My ridiculous heart gave a great leap. "This very afternoon," I said, managing my voice very well. She arose. "Now I must scurry away. It would not do for Mr. Bangs to find me here with you. He would be shocked." I walked beside her to the chair that stood below the portrait of Lud- wig the Red, and took her hand to as- sist her in stepping upon it. "I sincerely hope this chap you re going to marry, Countess, may be the best fellow in the world," said I, still clasping her hand. She had one foot on the chair as she half -turned to face me. "He is the best fellow in the world," she said.' I gulped, "I can't tell you how happy I shall be if you—if you find real happiness. You' deserve happi- ness and love." She gripped my hand fiercely. "I want to be happy! I want to be lov- ed! Oh! I want to be loved!" she cried, so passionately that I turned away, unwilling to be a witness to this outburst of feeling on her part. She slipped her hand out of mine and a second later was through the frame. I had a fleeting glimpse of a slim, adorable ankle." Good-bye," she 'call- ed hack in a voice that seemed strangely choked. The spring in the gold mirror clicked. A draft of air struck me in the face. She was gone. What an infernal fool you've been," I said to myself as I stood there gazing at the black hole in the wall. Then, I gently, even caressing- ly swung old Ludwig the Red into place. There was another click. The incident was closed. A very few words are sufficient to cover the expedition in quest of the legendary treasures of the long dead Barons. Mr, Bangs accompanied us. Britten carried a lantern and the , three Schmicks went along as guides. We found nothing but cobwebs. "Conrad," said I, as we emerged from the last of the underground chambers, "tell me the truth: ,was there ever finch a thing as buried treasure in this abominable hole?"• "Yea, mein herr," he replied with an apologetic grin; "but I think ;ft was discovered three years ago by Count Hohendahl and Count Tarn- owsy." We stared at him. "The duce you say!" cried I, with a quick glance at the Countess. She appeared to be as much surprised as I. "They searched for a month," ex- plained the old man, guiltily. "They found something in the walls of the second tier. I cannot say what it wee but they were very, very happy, my lady." He now addressed her, "It was at the time they went away and did not return for three weeks, if you remember the time." "Remember it!" she cried bitterly. "Too well, Conrad," She turned to me. "We had been married less.than two months, Mr. Smart.' I smiled rather grimly. "Cruet Tarnowsy appears to have had great run of luck in those days." ' It was a mean remark and I regretted it in- stantly. To niy surprise she smiled —perhaps patiently—and immediate- ly afterward invited Mr. Bangs and. me to dine with her that evening. She also asked Mr. Poopendyke later on. 'Poopendyke! An amazing, impro)f- able idea entered my head. Poopen- dyke. W * * * * The next day I was very busy, pre- paring for the journey by motor to the small station down the line where I was to meet Mrs. Titus and her sons. It seemed to me that every one who knew anything whatever about the arrangements went out of his way to fill my already rattle- brained head with advice. I was ad- vised to be careful at least one hun- dred times; first in regard to the run- ning of the car, then as to road di- rections, then as to the police, then as to the identity of the party I was to pick up; but more often than any- thing else, I was urged to be as ex- peditious as possible and to look out for my tires: In order to avoid suspicion, I rent- ed a big German touring car for a whole month, paying down a lump sum of twelve hundred marks in advance. On Thursday morning I took it out for a spin, driving it my- self part of the time, giving the wheel to Britton the remainder. (The year before I had toured Eur- ope pretty extensively in a car of the same make, driving alternately with Britton, who besides being an excel- lent valet was a chauffeur of no mean ability, having served a London acts cess for two years or more, which naturally meant that he bad been required to do a little of everything.) We were to keep the car in a gar- age across the river, drive it our- selves, and pay for the up -keep. We were therefore quite free to come and go as we pleased, without the remot- est chance of being questioned. In fact, I intimated that I might indulge in a good bit of joy -riding if the fine weather kept up. (Continued next week.) "Women demand the sleeveless gown." And some day, perhaps, the gownless sleeve. Yes. No?—Nash- ville Tennessean. -® M I LL , WORM POWDERS REL/EVE IRE RESTLESS CONDITION BROUGHT ON BY THE PRESENCE Os worms' AND RESTORE THE CHILD TO NORMAL HEALTH. NO NARCOTICS -PLEASANT AS SUGAR 8', 1 The Western Fair LONDON, ONTARIO September ' 8 to 15, 1923 The Popular Live Stock Exhibition of Western Ontario $40,000 IN PRIZES AND ATTRACTIONS The New $160,000.00 Manufacturers Building Holding over Three Hundred Exhibits. Come and See Them. Wonderful Platform Attractions. See Programs. MUSIC—FIRE WORKS—FUN. Something Doing all the Time. JOHNNY J. JONES SHOWS ON THE MIDWAY Admission, 25c. all week. Children, 15c. All Children Free on'Monday, September 10th. This will be the Big Year for the Exhibition. Everybody Come. All information from the Secretary. J. FL SAUNDERS, President. A. M. HUNT, Secretary. y�1 ` Refreshes Tired Eyes URINE Fpr YOUR &YES Write Murine Co., Chlcego,forEyeCere Boo& ifi.Jf•. lti u, ., ,s, �fi,�„h,h. ti•. �Uew Siattie !M-P':t T.E TREAT ENT Fertiliser --Grow f—ShaaPotr AU 3 in one pachliate $1,00 FOR PEOPLE WHO CARE to keep op their opparr SEVEN 01TTH E- RLAND SISTERS' O�$ATOIia will Waveform tbsir hair to ear .hado d.I d. A irimple halve treatment, Harmlre, Iuaw Pensive, durable. Ask be see card abewint 4,102 digereat dad.,, E. UMBACH; Druggist, Seafort&. That will be the safest plan.” "You are not in earnest." "Assuredly. The plan is something like this: I am to ,be taken by slow stages, overland, to a small Mediter- ranean port. One of a half dozen American yachts now cruising the sea will be ready to pick me up. Doesn't it seem simple?" "It seems simple enough," said L "But there are a lot of 'if's' between here 'had the little port you hope to reach. It will not be an easy matter to manage the successful flight of a party as large as yours will be." "Oh," she cried, "I shall be quite alone, except for Rosemary and Blake —and Mr., Bangs." "But your mother? You can't leave her here?' "You will have to smuggle her out of the castle a day or two in advance. It is all thought out, Mr. Smart." "By Jovel" I exclaimed, with more irascibility than I inteltded to show. "If I succeed in doing all that is ex- pected of me, I certainly will be en- titled to more than .an'invitation to come and see you in New York." She arose and laid her fingers upon my bandaged hand. The reckless light had died out of her eyes. "I have thought that out too, Mr. Smart," she said, quietly. And now, good-bye. You will come up to see Mr. Bangs to -night?" • Considerably mystified by her re- mark, I said I would come, and then assisted her through the opening in the wall. She smiled bacIS at me as the portrait swung into place. What did she mean? Was it pos- sible that she meant to have old man Titus reward me in a pecuniary way? The very thought of such a thing caused me to double up my fist —my recently discovered frst!—and to swear softly under my breath. After a few moments I was conscious of a fierce pain in the back of my hand. s S 5- -- Bangs was a shrewd lit^tje. English- man. As I shook hands with him— using my left hand with a superflu- ous apology—I glanced at the top of his waistcoat. There was no button missing. "The Countess sewed it on for me," he said drily, reading my thoughts. I stayed late with them, discussing plans. He had strongly advised a- gainst any attempt on Mrs. Titus's part to enter her daughter's hiding - place, but had been overruled. I con- ceived the notion, too, that he was a very strong-minded man. 'What then must have been the strength of Mrs. Titus's resolution to overcome the ob- jections he put in her way? He, too, had thought it alt out. Everybody seems to have thought everything out with a single exception —myself. His plan was not a bad one. Mrs. Titus and her sons were to enter the castle under cover of night, and I was to meet them in an automobile at a town some fifteen kilometers away, where they would leave the train while their watchers were asleep, and bring them overland to Schloss Rothhoefen. They woul'l be accompanied by a single lady's maid and no luggage. A chartered motor boat would meet us up the riv- er a few miles, and—well, it looked very simple! All .that was required of me was a willingness to address her as "Mother" and leer 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 twelve sit night. So you will see it was a jolly arrangement. I put Mr. Bangs up in my hest guest -chamber, and be it said to my credit, the Countess dict not have to suggest it to me. As we said good- night to her on the little landing at the top of the stairs, she took my bandaged paw between her two little hands and said: "You will soon be rid of me for- ever, Mr. Smart. Will you hear with me patiently for a litlln while long- er?" There was a nln ntive, appeal- ing note in her wire. She seemed strangely subdued. "T can bear with yen much easier than I can hear the tb 'ugll0'of`being rid of you," I said in a e'ry low voice. She pressed my clumsy hand fiercely, 'and I felt no pain, "Yon have been inn good to me." she said in e very small voice. "Some day, when I am out of SII this trouble, T may be able .to tell yen how much T appreciate all you have done for me." An almost irresistible—I was about to say ungovernable _impulse to seize her in my arms came over me, but I conquered it and rushed after Mr. Bangs, as blind es a hat and reeling for a dozen steps or more. It was a most extraordinary feeling. I found myself wondering if pas- sion- had that' effect. Oil all men. If this was an illustratnn of what a real passionate love could do to a sen- sible, level-headed person, then what, in heaven's name, was the emotion T had characterized as love during my placid courtship of the faintly re - e *Otaet�t' 1" !Tues war ohne inglisli'f>sell as We/4 :!)y study, )hut I did not, he Bald, ` Re 1oo104 $u wad,• or three of the answer, tnadel `.. 'his questions and Lunt altre thele trere several 'of thm OW I did respond to at all, Be must h1iKp thought me an unmannerly parsoar One remark of his brought rather sharply to my scutes. I seem- ed capable of grasping'its ,awful ids nificance when all the others: bad go by without notice. "If all goes well," he was saying "she should be safely away from h on the fourteenth. That leaves I than 'ten days more, sir, under yo hospitable roof." "Less than ten days," I repeatsd. This was the fifth of the month. ' all goes well. Less than ten days." Again I passed a sleepless nigh A feeling of the utmost lonelines and desolation grew up within me Less than ten days! And then sh would be "safely away" from me. Sh and Rosemary! There was a singl ray of brightness in the gloom the shrouded my thoughts; she' had urge me to fly away with her. She di not want to leave me behind to far the perils after she was safely out o them. God bless her for thinking o that! But of course what little common sense and judgment I had left within me told me that such a course wa entirely out of the question. I could not go away with her. I could do no more than to see her safely on her way to the queer little port on the east coast of Italy, Then I should return to my bleak, joyless castle,— to my sepulchre,—and suffer all the torments of the damned for days and weeks until word came that she was actually safe on the other side of the Atlantic. What courage, what pluck she had! Criminal? No, a thousand times no! She was claiming.her own, her dear- est own. The devil must have been in the people who set themselves up as judges to condemn her for fighting so bravely for that which God had given her. Curse them ail!" * r e I fear that my thoughts became more and more maudlin as the interminable night went on. Always they came back to the sick- ening realization that I was to lose her in ten days, and that my castle would be like a tomb. Of course the Blizzards and the Billy Smiths were possible panaceas, but what could they bring to ease the pangs of a secret nostalgia? Noth- ing but their own blissful content- ment, their own happiness to make my loneliness seem all the more hor- rible by contrast. Would it not be better for me to face it alone? Would t not be better to live the life of a hermit? She came to visit me at twelve o'- clock the next day. I was alone in he study. Poopendyke was showing Mr. Bangs over the castle. She was dressed in a gown of some oft grey material, 'and there was a bunch of violets at her girdle. "I came to dress your hand for you," she said as I helped her down coin Red Ludwig's frame. Now I have neglected to mention hat the back of my hand was swollen to enormous proportions, an unlovely hing. "Thank you," I said, shaking my cad; "but it is quite all right. Brit- on attended to it this morning. It s good of you to think about it, ountess. It isn't—" "I thought about it all night," she aid, and I could believe her after he light from the windows had fallen pon her face. There were dark cir- les under her eyes and she was quite ale. Her eyes seemed abnormally arge and brilliant. "I am so sorry of to be able to do one little thing or you. Will you not let me dress it fter this?" I colored. "Really, it—it is a most rifling bruise,"' I explained, "just a ittle black and blue, that's all. Pray o not think of it again." "You will never let me do anything or you," she said. Her eyes were elvety. "It isn't fair. I have ex- cted so much from you, and—" "And I have been most brutal and nfeeling in many of the things I ave said to you," said I, desparingly. I am ashamed of the nasty wounds have given you. My state of re- entance allows you to exact whatso- vet you will of me, and, when all is aid and done, I shall stili be your ebtor. Can you—will you pardon he coarse opinions of a conceited es? I assure you I am not the man was when you first encountered me." She smiled. "For Ihet matter, I n1 not the same woman I was, Mr. mart. You have taught me three hinge, one of which T may mention: he subjection of self. That, with he other two, has made a new Aline itis of me. I hope you may be leased with the—transfiguration" "I wish you were Aline Titus," I aid, struck by the idea. "You may at least he sure that I hall not remain the Countess Tarn- wsy long, Mr. Smart," she said, with very puzzling expression in her -es. My heart sank. "But I remember earing you say not so very long ago hat you would never marry again," railed. She regarded me rather oddly for moment. "I am very) very glad hat you are such a steady, sensible. rsctical man. A vapid, impression- ble youth, during this season of it a!E? , ue e. eIs ur If t. s e e e t d d f t 8 send for free fltxelt giving full pariic- nlars of Trench's world-famous prep- eratlonfor Epilepsy and Fits—simple home treatment, Over 80 years' emcees. Teettmmmnie from all parte of inn world; over 1000 In one seat. Write at enceta TRENCH'S REMEDIES LIMITED 2607 fat,J+> omen ob rs,On79 Adelaide St. B. TheIbacco propinquity, might have been so fool- ish as to fall in love with me, and that would have been too bad." I think I glared at her. "Then,— then, you are going to marry some one?"' She waited a moment, Iooking straight into my eyes. "Yes," she said, and a delicate pink stole into her cheek, "I am going to marry some one." I muttered something about con- gratulating a lucky dog, but it was all very hazy to me. "Don't congratulate him yet," she cried, the flush deepening. "I may be a very great disappointment to him, and a never-ending nuisance." "I'm sure you will—will be all right," I floundered. Then I resorted to gaiety. "You see, I've spent a lot of time trying to—to make another woman of you, and so I'm confident he'll find you quite satisfactory." She laughed gaily. "What a goose you are!" she cried. I flushed painfully, for, I give you my word, it hurt to have her laugh at Inc. She sobered at once. "Forgive me," she said very pretti- ly, and I forgave her. "Do you know we've never given the buried treasure another thought?" she went on, a- bruptly changing the subject. "Are we not to go searching for it?" "But it isn't there," said I, steeling my heart against the longing that tried to creep into it, "It's all bald- erdash." She pouted her warm red lips. "Have you lost interest in it so soon?" "Of course, I'll go any time you say," said I, lifelessly. It will be a lark, at all events." "Then we will gp this very after- noon," she said, with enthusiasm. My ridiculous heart gave a great leap. "This very afternoon," I said, managing my voice very well. She arose. "Now I must scurry away. It would not do for Mr. Bangs to find me here with you. He would be shocked." I walked beside her to the chair that stood below the portrait of Lud- wig the Red, and took her hand to as- sist her in stepping upon it. "I sincerely hope this chap you re going to marry, Countess, may be the best fellow in the world," said I, still clasping her hand. She had one foot on the chair as she half -turned to face me. "He is the best fellow in the world," she said.' I gulped, "I can't tell you how happy I shall be if you—if you find real happiness. You' deserve happi- ness and love." She gripped my hand fiercely. "I want to be happy! I want to be lov- ed! Oh! I want to be loved!" she cried, so passionately that I turned away, unwilling to be a witness to this outburst of feeling on her part. She slipped her hand out of mine and a second later was through the frame. I had a fleeting glimpse of a slim, adorable ankle." Good-bye," she 'call- ed hack in a voice that seemed strangely choked. The spring in the gold mirror clicked. A draft of air struck me in the face. She was gone. What an infernal fool you've been," I said to myself as I stood there gazing at the black hole in the wall. Then, I gently, even caressing- ly swung old Ludwig the Red into place. There was another click. The incident was closed. A very few words are sufficient to cover the expedition in quest of the legendary treasures of the long dead Barons. Mr, Bangs accompanied us. Britten carried a lantern and the , three Schmicks went along as guides. We found nothing but cobwebs. "Conrad," said I, as we emerged from the last of the underground chambers, "tell me the truth: ,was there ever finch a thing as buried treasure in this abominable hole?"• "Yea, mein herr," he replied with an apologetic grin; "but I think ;ft was discovered three years ago by Count Hohendahl and Count Tarn- owsy." We stared at him. "The duce you say!" cried I, with a quick glance at the Countess. She appeared to be as much surprised as I. "They searched for a month," ex- plained the old man, guiltily. "They found something in the walls of the second tier. I cannot say what it wee but they were very, very happy, my lady." He now addressed her, "It was at the time they went away and did not return for three weeks, if you remember the time." "Remember it!" she cried bitterly. "Too well, Conrad," She turned to me. "We had been married less.than two months, Mr. Smart.' I smiled rather grimly. "Cruet Tarnowsy appears to have had great run of luck in those days." ' It was a mean remark and I regretted it in- stantly. To niy surprise she smiled —perhaps patiently—and immediate- ly afterward invited Mr. Bangs and. me to dine with her that evening. She also asked Mr. Poopendyke later on. 'Poopendyke! An amazing, impro)f- able idea entered my head. Poopen- dyke. W * * * * The next day I was very busy, pre- paring for the journey by motor to the small station down the line where I was to meet Mrs. Titus and her sons. It seemed to me that every one who knew anything whatever about the arrangements went out of his way to fill my already rattle- brained head with advice. I was ad- vised to be careful at least one hun- dred times; first in regard to the run- ning of the car, then as to road di- rections, then as to the police, then as to the identity of the party I was to pick up; but more often than any- thing else, I was urged to be as ex- peditious as possible and to look out for my tires: In order to avoid suspicion, I rent- ed a big German touring car for a whole month, paying down a lump sum of twelve hundred marks in advance. On Thursday morning I took it out for a spin, driving it my- self part of the time, giving the wheel to Britton the remainder. (The year before I had toured Eur- ope pretty extensively in a car of the same make, driving alternately with Britton, who besides being an excel- lent valet was a chauffeur of no mean ability, having served a London acts cess for two years or more, which naturally meant that he bad been required to do a little of everything.) We were to keep the car in a gar- age across the river, drive it our- selves, and pay for the up -keep. We were therefore quite free to come and go as we pleased, without the remot- est chance of being questioned. In fact, I intimated that I might indulge in a good bit of joy -riding if the fine weather kept up. (Continued next week.) "Women demand the sleeveless gown." And some day, perhaps, the gownless sleeve. Yes. No?—Nash- ville Tennessean. -® M I LL , WORM POWDERS REL/EVE IRE RESTLESS CONDITION BROUGHT ON BY THE PRESENCE Os worms' AND RESTORE THE CHILD TO NORMAL HEALTH. NO NARCOTICS -PLEASANT AS SUGAR 8',