The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-09-18
DOUBLE RETRIBUTION.
[san Francisco Argonaut.l

| are swaying and creaking, and their
| gigantic branches are tossing about in
the fierce west wind like huge writhing
arms stretched out in intersected con-
fusion across the shadowy road which
winds for a couple OF miles through a
thick forest of pines. A heavy rumbling
is audible in the distance, speedily re-
solving into the sound Of carriage-wheels;
| it comes nearer and nearer, and then sud-
denly ceases. The carriage stands still.
The horses are tired, and need no staying
hand, as the coachman scrambles down
and walks from side to side, peering into
the dense blackness which envelops
them on every side.
'Pierre what is the natter" rang out
in an impatient though melodious voice.
| The window was let down, with jerk,
and a woman's head looked out.
Madame" answered the man, deprecat-
Ingly, touching his hat, "the horses are
tired. There ought to be an inn near, but
1 fear have passed it, 1t is so dark and
stormy that the road seems unfamiliar
and l can not make out where we are"
''Drive on very slowly. l will look out,
too and the first house we come to, you
can get down and seek information. If it
| be possible, we will stay there the night. l"
The cOachman mounted and did as he
was ordered. Presently there seemed a
break in the density on one side OF the
road. There was a clearing in the forest
and glimmer OF light about hundred
yards away.
Pierre came in sharp tones again,
''go and see what that light is The horses
will stand still without you"
Pierre knew from experience that re-
monstrance was vain. His way was
through thick underwood and long grass,
and he dreaded some unknown danger
with every fresh step. \ long. wandering
house of two stories soon stood up in black
relief against the murky sky. He struck
on a gravel pathway, and followed it up
| till he came hallway round the house
| and found a way of entrance. 1t was a
low trellis porch, with a narrow door.
After fumbling about, he discovered a
long wire, with handle attached, which
he pulled vigorously. A tangled tinkle
sounded family in the interior OF the
house. In moment footsteps were heard,
bolt was withdrawn, and the door slowly
opened. A man in shabby livery stood
there.
Monsieur" said Pierre, my mistress
is driving from Fehrenstadt to Aronsen,
and owing to the storm, we have been de
layed and / do not know where we are.
Can you kindly tell me how far it is to
the nearest inn"
'Humph, du lieber Colt !" the old man
said there's no inn, as l know of, within
six miles Of here, and it is ticklish road
in the dark. Wait bit, I'll 60 and speak
to the master"
He soon returned with a lighted Ian
| tern. "The Herr Graft sends his compli-
ments to the lady, and will be happy to
receive her as his guest until the storm is
| over. l will come down with you"
The two men walked with rapid steps
down the drive and appeared on the road
| some twenty yards ahead of the carriage.
| Whether it was the unexpected noise in
the distance, or the sudden CLEAN of the
lantern light, the horses started and
plunged, then galloped with ringing hoofs
straight along the country road.
Mon dieul My poor mistressl" cried
Pierre, and he flew, as if possessed, after
the runaways.
The lady, fortunately, had alighted
some moments before, as Pierre's absence
made her restless, and now she stood
speechless, as she saw first her carriage,
then her servant, disappear from before
her eyes.
The old man shook his head as he looked
round and mumbled to himself; then
swinging his lantern high. he caught sight
of the tall, erect figure standing motion
less by the roadside.
THAT must be the lady herself" he
muttered. ''If you are the lady that owns
that vehicle you had better come straight
70 hab Z, l,as.
aloud: "the horses can't be stopped, and
your man will soon find his way back"
There seems nothing else to be done,"
she said, decisively; 'go ON with your
| lantern and 1 will follow"
The man obeyed. They came to the
house and stepped into broad, low hall,
with many doors leading from it.
Where is your master, my man," the
stranger asked; "tell him that Baronin
Won Reichstein is the name of his guest,
and she thanks him for his courtesy and
would like to see him"
Yes, gnadige," replied the old servant,
and will you please to take seat in
there, and l will send my wife, the house
| keeper. TO you" While speaking, he
opened door to the right, and the baron
in walked in with stately step. 1t was
clearly but not brilliantly lighted and was
comfortable room, with low lounges and
deep chairs, covered with an old-fash-
Toned chintz; polished floor, with few
skin rugs lying about She shivered,
| however, as she walked down the room,
and, after throwing aside her travelling
cloak and bonnet, she sat down by the
newly-kindled log fire. She was woman
of fifty, at least, well preserved and with
slender, even youthful, figure. Her
hair, though snow white, was luxuriant
and waved. Her features were deli
cately chiseled,7 and her skin, though
somewhat wrinkled around the eyes and
mouth, was like marble, and the reflection
of the freight gave almost a youthful
simmer to the eyes and rosy tint to
the cheeks. She took off her gloves, and.
putting her elbow on the arm of the chair
she leaned her head on little white hand
sparkling with the CLEAN of costly rings
She must have been a very beautiful
woman in her youthful days, and pos
sessed that regular type of beauty which
seldom changes its character, even in fad
ing years. Heinrich, the man-servant, for
got to close the door, and, after knocking
and receiving answer, he entered room
on the opposite side of the hall. 1t was a
small library, and, seated at a writing
table, was an elderly man, with iron-gray
hair, straight features set with classical
rightly, and, though strictly handsome,
cold, passionless, hard. He turned round
and faced the servant, who delivered the
strangers message, supplemented by GER