The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-06-23


her Dom and set about completing
her toilet
Twenty minutes had scarcely passed,
and she had not finished dressing
when Sister Paul entered the room.
evidently in q state of considerable
anxiety.
He is there!" she said, as she came
In.
..Who is therep Keyork Arabian?"
Sister Paul nodded, glad that she
was not obliged to pronounce the
name that had to her such an un-
christian sound.
Where is he? l did not think he
could come SO soon. Oh. Sister Paul.
do help me with my hair! l cannot
make It stay"
HE 10 In the parlor. downstairs
answered the nun. coming to her as
sistance. Indeed, child. do not
see how I q help you" She touched
the black coils Intellectually. There!
IL that better?" she asked in a timid
way. II do not know how to do it"
The convent parlor was a large
bare room. lighted by a high and
grated window. Plain. straight. mod
ern chairs were ranged against the
wall at regular intervals.
Keyork Arabian was standing In
the middle Of the parlor waiting for
Beatrice. When she entered at last
he made two steps forward. bowin1
profoundly and then smiled In a def
erential manner.
my dear lady" he said, II am
here. l have lost no time. It so
happened that / received your note
just as I was leaving my carriage
after a morning drive. I had no idea
you were in Bohemia"
Thanks. It was good OF you to
come SO soon."
She sat down upon one OF the stir
chairs and motioned to him to follow
her example.
'And your dear father-how is hep
inquired Keyork. with suave polite
ness as he took his seat.
''My father died a week ago." said
Beatrice, gravely.
Keyork's face assumed all the OK
preston of which it was capable.
Il am deeply grieved," he said.
m~oderating his huge voice to d soft
and purring sub-bass. ..He was an
old and valued friend"
There was q moments silence; Key
ork. who knew many things, was we'll
aware that q silent feud. of which he
also knew the cause, had existed be-
tween father and daughter when he
had last been with them, and he
rightly judged from his knowledge OF
their obstinate characters that 1t had
lasted to the end. He thought, there
fore. that his expression of sympathy
had been sufficient and could pass
II asked you to come" said Beat
rice. at last, because / wanted your
help in a matter of Importance to my
self. I understand that you know a
person who calls herself Unorna, and
who lives here"
Keyork's bright blue ayes scrutin-
lied her face. He wondered how
much she knew.
"OkAs 1AAoCOu, ll0 duSWOECu,
as though not at all surprised.
You know something of her life.
then. I suppose you see her often,
do you not?"
DAILY, / can almost say"
''Have you any objection to answer
ing n question about her?"
Twenty, if you ask them, and if !
know the answers" said Keyork,
wondering what form the question
would take. and preparing to meet a
surprise with Indifference.
''But, will you answer me truly?"
''My dear lady, l pledge you my
sacred word Of honor" Keyork
answered, with immense gravity,
meeting her eyes and laying his hand
upon his heart.
''Does she love that not?''
Beatrice asked, suddenly showing him
the little miniature of the Wanderer,
which she had taken from its case and
had hitherto concealed in her hand.
She watched every line of his face,
for she knew something of him, and
in reality put very little more faith in
his word of honor than he did him
self, which was not saying much. But
she had counted upon surprising him.
and she succeeded to a certain extent.
His answer did not come as glibly as
he could have wished, though his
plan was soon formed.
who is it! All. dear me! My old
friend. We call him the Wanderer.
Well. Unorna certainly knew him
when he was here"
Then he is gomez"
Indeed, I am not quite sure"
said Keyork. regaining all his self
possession. ''Of course I can find out
for you it you wish to know. But as
regards Unorna l can tell you moth
ing. They were a good deal together
at one time. l fancy he was consult
ing her. You have heard that she is
a clairvoyant, 1 dare say"
He made the last remark quite
carelessly, as though he attached no
Importance to the fact.
Then you do not know whether
she loves him?"
Keyora INDUCED himself in a little
discreet laughter, deep and musical.
love is such a very vague word"