Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-07-09
BAFFLED.

The sun dropped into the sea; long,
fiuttering banners of cloud, red as
blood, streamed upward toward the
zenith; little wind shiyered over the
CLASSY water. The oars of the boat
men aix gigantic fellows in uniforms of
blue and white linen made rhythmic
splash in the silence. Nine. D'Erlof
leaned back on her silken cushions, IN
der the white awning, and looked off
into the flaming West. Without NOV
ing her eyes from the gold and orange
and crimson blaze. she said to the man
beside her in calm accents:
Kindly cease fixing your gaze upon
me. 1t inks me. 1t grows monoton-
Gus"
@Lenal"
aAnd do not call me by my name"
she continued as before. Il never gave
you permission.
The mans aal1ow cheek grew paler.
His dark eyes emitted sullen flash un-
der their thick brows
"Can no devotion win you? Can no
man move you--no man save that cold
livered. blond STRIPPING of an Ameri-
can"
He had gone too far. The woman
turned upon him and half raised the
ieweled handle OF the parasol she
held, as if she would have struck him.
He met her gaze unfinching. At that
instant the boat rounded verdurous
promintory of the coast and they came
in sight of the first traces and garden
walks OF the D'Erloff villa.
On the terrace, their backs turned to
the advancing pleasure craft. were two
figures. Nine. d'Erloff and her COM
panion saw them at the same instant.
"Ah! Meester Phenixp said Arville
in an indescribable tone. Speak of an
angel"
The woman on the siiken cushion had
not stirred. ALI life in her had become
concentrated in the glance of the jewel
like eyes. The second figure on the
terrace was that of girl in silver
gray dress; figure slight and almost
as tall as Nine. d'Erloffs own. Against
the collar of the silver gray dress there
hung schoolgirl braid of fiaxen hair.
The man, who was tall and blonde also,
had just raised the hand of the girl to
his lips.
Ten minutes later the pleasure boat
swung softly up to the white water
stairs of the villa.
Nine. d'Erloff stepped out. Her
companion. bowling low. stood with un.
covered head, that smile still beneath
his black mustache. A glance that
was like steel clashed against his.
You were going?" said Nine. DER
loft. II don't wish You to go. Follow
me"
The smile grew deeper. He followed
She swept in through the long, oper
window, against which the thin curtain
swayed in the perfumed breeze. That
palpitating, changing red was still il
the West. She sank ON divan anG
turned her eyes full upon him. She
spoke very slowly, very clearly; hel
voice had not a tremor.
II wish to be revenged. Do yor
hear?'
They measured each other an instant
The smile had died from the Chevalier'
lips. Once more slow pallor hai
come over his swart checks. Not pal
lor of fear, of apprehension; pallor o
expectancy. of desperate determination
She made motion that was like
shrug.
"You have always said that you wer,
my slave. That you would die for me
if necessary. Well, no one asks you Il
die. It is o smaller service that want
Prove your devotion"
In her forced calmness. almost non
chalance, there was something terrible
He who knew the fires of jealousy. Q
revenge. Of insane passion beneatl
that icv chest, made one short step for
ward.
Whatever you ask of me I will do,
he muttered, below his breath. "Bu
/ expect my reward. / do nothing TO
nothing"
She bowed her head.
IT acquiesce in the condition"
She motioned him imperiously to
seat beside her. Thereafter they talke
in tones low as the wind which stirre
the flowers outside in the pale light of
rising moon.
To Monica Penrhyn. the slight, fair
shy young American companion Q
Nine. d'Erloff, sitting without on tn
moonbathed terrace, there came pres
entity slight step.
aAll alone, mademoiselle?' said th
Chevalier Arville's vibrant voice, keye
to softness she had not heard in it be
fore. For one SO young and SO Lowell
it is melancholy. And alone vou wer
all the afternoon, also, is it not SO ?"
az do not mind loneliness" sal
Monica, curiously nervous in this man
proximity, instinctively shrinking ava
from che knew not what. Then th
sensitive love Of truth In her constrair
ing the words:
Mr.. Phenix, too, came to see Mime
d'Erloff, and finding her out, stayed
little and talked TO me.
aAh. Mr.. Phenix! A charming man.
r He has been very kind to me. mul
INJURED the poor child, staunchily.
aAh, mademoiselle, said the To-
tones 80 near TO her, @who would not b
that2s
II hear Nine. d'Erlof calling me,
think. hastily stammered the CIR
moving sway.
Nine. d'Erloff. scarf of lace abor
her radiant bronze-gold head, stood
the window of the great drawing-roon
in which the lights were blazing softl,
Sid i not see you talking to Il
Chevalier on the terrace just now. De-
chiid2 Surely yes. He Is standln
there yet. Go back to him Ente
tain him little. I shall have visito
for the next hour that would only eau
him ennui. Go back, chere petita
She watched the girls slowly r
drafting form with eyes from who