Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-08-10


well as could presently stole away on
some excuse or other and started in good
time and on foot into the city. reached
the rendezvous q quarter Of an hour before
the time named, and strolling between the
church and the bakers shop tried to look
as much like chance passerby os could,
keeping tho while q wary lookout for any
who might turn out to DO my correspond
sent.
Z The morning was cold and gray. A
drizzling rain was falling. The passers
were few, and tho appearance Of the streets
dirty and, with Uttered kennels, was
drcary indeed. found it hard ut once to
keep myself warm ana to avoid obserya.
ton as I hung about. Ton O'Clock had
rung from moro than ono stceple, and I
was beginning to think myself q fool for
my pains when q woman Of middle
height, slender and young in figure, but
wearing q shabby brown cloak, and with
her head muffled in hood as though she
had tho toothache or dreaded the weather
moro than ordinary, turned the corner of
the bclfry and made straight toward me-
She drew near and seemed about to pass
me without notice. But when abreast of
me she glanced up suddenly, her eyes the
only features could see.
Follow me to tho church, she muir
INJURED gently, and she swept on to the
porch.
Iobeycd reluctantly-veryr reluctantly,
my feet seeming like lead, for knew who
she was. Though had only seen her eyes,
had recognized them and guessed already
what her business with me was. She led
the way resolutely to q quiet corner Tho
church was empty and still, with only the
scent of incense in the air to tell of q re-
cent service. It was no surprise to me
when she turned abruptly, and removing
her hood looked me in the face.
What have you done with him!" she
painted, laying her hand on my arm.
Speak! Tell mo what you have done
with him:'
The question, the very question had
foreseen! Yet tried to fence with her.
said, with whom?"
with whom?" she repeated bitterly.
"You know me! am not SO changed in
three years that you do not recognize meP"
mo; know you," said.
There was hectic flush on her checks,
and it seemed to me that the dark hair
was thinner on her thin temples than
wero the same.
1uSu WHY uSh Will WuOIu. big CIlcu
passionately. What have you done with
the man you called Clarence?''
Done with him?'' said feebly.
AYE, done with himi Come, speak and
tell mc!' she repeated in fierce accents,
her hand clutching my wrist, her eyes
probing my face with merciless glanccs
Have you killed him? Tell me,'
KILLED him, Mistress Anne:" said
sullenly. mo; have not killed him."
"He is alive:" she cried.
For all I know, he is alive"
She glared ut me for some seconds to as
iure herself that was telling the truth
Then she hcaved q great sigh, her hands
fell from my wrists, the color faded out Of
her face, and she lowered her eyes
glanced round with a momentary idea Of
escape, SO shrank from that which was
to come. But before I had we'll enter
tanned the notion she looked up, her face
grown calm.
Then what have you done with hims"
she asked. ..
II have done nothing with him." an
swercd.
She laughed mirthless laugh. 'Bah, I"
she said, do not tell me lies! That Is
your honor, 1supPoee-your honor to your
friends down in the cellar there! Do you
think that do not know all about them?
Shall / give you the listf He is a very
dangerous conspirator, is Sir Thomas Pen.
ruddockc, is he not? And that scented
dandy Master Kingston! Or Master Crcwd.
son-tell me Of him! Tell mo Of him, I
say" she exclaimed, with a sudden return
from irony to fierce eagerness, a breath
less impatience. why did he not como
up last night? What have you done with
himi"
shook my head, sick and trembling
How could tell her.
II sec," she said. "You will not tell
me- But you swear he is yet alive, Mas
ter Cludde. Good. Then you are holding
him for hostage, Ia that it," with q
piercing glance at my face, ''or you have
condemned him, but for some reason the
sentence has not been exccutcds' She
drew n long, deep breath, for fear my
face betrayed me. THAT is it, is IT. Then
there is still time"
She turned from me and looked tow rd
the end Of the aisle, where a dull red lamp
hanging before the altar giowed feebly in
the warm, scented air. She seemed so to
turn and SO to look in thankfulness as IL
the news she had learned were good in.
stead Of what it was. What is the hour
fxed." she asked suddenly.
shock nv held
You will not tell me, Well, It mat.
tiers not, =" she answered briskly. HE must
he saved. DO you hears He must be saved,
Master Cludde. That is your business"
shook my head.
You think 1t is not'" she said. well,
can show you it is! Listen!''
She raised herself on a step of the fount
and looked me harshly in tho face If he
be not given up to me safe and sound by
sunset this evening, will betray you all!
All! have the list here" she muttered
sternly, touching her bosom. You, Mas.
ter Berthe, Penruddocke, Fleming, Barnes
all. All! Do you hear? Give him up,
or you shall hang"
You would not do itr' cried aghast,
peering into her burning eyes.
Would not do it: Foolv' she Missed.
IF all the world but he had one head, I
would cut it off to save his! He is my
husband! Do you hear, He is my hus-
band-my ali! Do you think have given
up everything, friends and honor and
safety, for him to lose him now. No. You
say l would not do it, Do you know what
have done: You have a scar there"
She touched me lightly on the breast
Il did 1t" she said.