Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-01-10
CHAPTER x.


As she sat painting upon this eventful
afternoon, when her expected companion,
Lydia. was riding leisurely upon fiuItless
errand to Dol, Natalie let her thoughts re-
vert TO their conversation Of the two pre-
vious days.
Then, of course, she thought of Fairfax.
What sad, but striking face he had Who
was hel What troubled him so muchs She
was convinced something did. why had he
started so and colored when he saw her
coming down the staircase. Would she
ever see him again! He interested her;
Lydia, too, took such an interest in him.
Why had She, herself, Immediately
thought of that song, when she cast her
eyes upon him! Why, too, did she always
think of it in connection with him. That
song was peculiarly and only hers and
Otto's. What right had this man to it!
And vet it seemed his, too, as much as
theirs. Yes, and Lydia had said he had
been much disturbed as he listened to it,
and had remarked that it was interviewer
with his fate Perhaps-shc was almost
certain of it-her lost knife would return
through him.
In this ingenious and childlilze manner
she unused, zealously painting all the time.
Suddenly the voice of Dimitri aroused
her. He pointed significantly TO the storm
slowly gathering in the south Her time
piece indicated half-past five o'clock. The
storm couldn't possibly break for at least an
hour an half yet. She made tho best of
her opportunity; and at quarter past six
the finishing touch was laid upon the can
vas. Mounted on Medji, she turned to-
ward the view and waved her hand,
saying
''Adieul adieu Medji, this is our last,
my fleetest. Tomorrow we go"
For distance of several hundred rods
from the main road the cliff road ran in a
perfectly straight direction.
Just as Natalie gained the point where the
highway came in sight, she tn ught that
she caught sight of a figure which darted
backward from the center of the road and
disappeared from view on the left; but, sec
ing nothing more, she concluded her eyes
had deceived her.
A shrin whistle pierced the quiet air.
This time she could not be mistaken. What
did it mean! Probably some huntsman call
ing his Gogs.
When arrived at the main road she
glanced up and down it, but saw nothing un
usual.
A huntsman-un he who ha6
Just blown the whistlc-and an old farmer
were earnestly engaged in conversation.
Beyond them were some carriers coming
down the road. These We're the only per
sons in sight.
When she came to her favorite pool not Q
soul was to be seen there, either.
But, on leading Medii toward the rocl
from which she was wont to mount, shC
perceived an aged woman bending under Q
heavy bundle of faggots This figure had
so timed its approach that it reached the
rock as Natalie did. The woman, whC
seemed to be of a very great age, curtsied
and in a cracked, tremtflous voice addressed
the Princess. SO remarkable and interest
ing did this creature appear that Natalie
forgot the oncoming storm, and began &c
question her with regard 10 her life and
welfare. Feebly putting down the bundle
the trembling and palsied old thing told a
pitiful tale that stirred Natalic's compass
sion. Drawing out her purse, the batter be
slowed generous gift upon the poor soul
who thSreupon took the hands of her bene
factress, and, pressing them to herlips, coy.
cred them with kisses.
Natalie gazed in mingled amusement and
compassion, passively allowing the pitiablC
I creature her way She did not observe the
sharp eyes cautiously peering out from be
/ hind the huge oak back of her. nor the fig
urge that lightly bounded to the stone. But
4 she felt the iron hand that caught her in its
relentless grasp, and the gag that cffectual
I II cholzed, at its beginning, her shrek fol
/ help
The Princess struggled fercely 70 escape
| and even dragged her two assailants 70
some distance from the rock; but the oil
/ woman, who suddenly Strengthened he
i bent form, and miraculously regained he
strength, held the two small han IS of tn
4 girl as in the grasp Of an iron vice, Will
+ the other flung cloth over her head. tn
4 fumes Of the powerful chemical with whiel
I it was saturated, combined with the fright
/ full shock. soon rendered her unconscious.
Fairfax watched from distance the who'll
scene in an agony Of remorse. Even he
stern man, could not but keenly feel the IN
/ deserved and cruel torture he was giyini
an innocent girl, all 70 gratifv an insan