The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-11
Stories Of an Inland State.

1 RoSSNA
and Watson had come up a moment after
wounded in the cheek, VIII had guessed
Immediately that the explanation Of the
hedge was a lie.
But who was the woman who rushed BY
him? He walked around the house and
came upon her standing in the dark. 1t
| was no affair Of his and instantly he took
a step backward. Recovering quickly he
| said:
You are not joining in the festivities?
There was no answer.
IT am like you," he went on pleasantly.
81 enjoy it much more out-of-doors."
He strained with his eyes in the darkness
and made out the housekeeper.
II wonder" he pondered. Where she
| got that ring. Grace told me that it was
| taken By these train robbers. Grace does
not fabricate. Where did that girl get it?"
He turned the matter over fl his mind
slowly and then asked:
| Tell me- where did you get that ring?"
The music Of his voice rang in her heart.
| She was savage, not an Indian as he sup
| posed, but a negress and he ignored her.
! Idle curiosity now inspired him to seek
her. An! But the music Of his voice!
She threw herself upon her knees at his
| feet.
He lifted her up without . word. She
! chung to him desperately.
| A broad smile spread over the features Of
the young man. He did not understand
why he should be made the object Of this
passionate embrace and its comicaI side
| forced itself to the surface. Discovering a
second later that the strange woman in his
arms was sobbing he became serious and
| asked:
Where did you get that ring?"
There was no answer and he quickly in
terpreted the silence.
do not be afraid to tell me II you-you-
stole it,
She sprang backward from him crying:
| II do not steal"
Indignant" said VIII to himself. This
| is all decidedly queer
The woman took a step forward, her
words sibilant with intensity:
Il am below you. I am not worthy Of
( your notice 1 do not ask your glance
nothing-but 1 do not steal. I am not a
| thief"
II beg your pardon" said Will. But
what in the deuce are you taking on so
| for? I'm all in the dark. This is all Greek
to me-
Her old pride came back to her and she
said easily:
Remain then in the dark. 1t is better
so. The ignorant are happy. Let them
remain so. Through you 1 have misery in
| knowledge"
Through me!'
| Through you. I shall not trouble you
You fear to recognize me. I shall not trou-
| bic you"
You've certainly mistaken me-" he SAIL
MY name is Wynants. Until I saw you
this evening. I was ignorant of your ex-
istence. Why don't you speak?"
II do not know your ways of civiliza-
tion." she answered. But fancy that
| here -"
civilization" he cried. why do you
| speak of that?"
| He took her hand roughly.
what do you mean?' he said. you
| talk as though you had come from the CEN
ter Of Africa. What do you mean"
! She took her hand away and turned short
about. He grasped her hand again and de-
| tanned her.
| II beg your pardon" he said. But
please explain all this There is some mis-
take here. Tell me what you think I have
done?''
She laughed scornfully.
| Don't do that" he cried peevishly "Give
me some sort OF an explanation. tell you
there's a mistake But il you won't tell
where, there's an END to it But, believe
| me. don't understand you. Good bye"
| He waited moment and, as she did not
answer, walked away.
| He went into the house. The young Eng
| lishmen were preparing to make a presen-
| tation to President Watson of a watch for
| his eminent services.
Wynants looked on stupidity. He was re-
| volving the mystery OF the housekeeper in
| his mind. 1t perplexed and haunted him.
What did she mean by all that lingo He
determined to find out. He sought Grace.
Grace" he said. II wish you would
| take that housekeeper home with you.
You've always said you wanted a maid"
why, WILL what a funny request"
| He related to her briefly his perplexing
conversation with the woman.
Take her home with you" he said, land
| worm It out of her for my sake. Discharge
her the next day II you want to. But
want to know"
but would it be fair to the Farm here?"
"She viii leave the farm tonight any,
| way" said VIII, remembering Watson's
\ torn cheek.
Where is she now?" asked Grace doubt
fully.
Wait" exclaimed Will. 'srhe presenta-
tons started"
| The dancers were grouped about the
| room, a young man was reciting q pre-
pared speech and holding a watch In one
hand. President Watson was standing be-
fore the speaker with his eyes modestly
cast down. his eyebrows, for the moment,
| stationary.
+, As the speaker proceeded there was q
movement at one side of the room, several
4 t.
| fs med face, and a tattered dress flung
and maudiin.
| The speech ceased. Albert Watson look
ed up. The woman gazed sleepily about
| the room and cried:
start the fiddles for tg.'
The crowd smiled and suddenly grew Sc
| ricus again
The woman now looked at Albert Wat.
son and suddenly Strengthened. Raising
/ her finger at him, she cried:
Does the devil still give you pasture.
Albert Watson, Don't raise your snakey
eyes al me. I do not fear you. What
young girl you are courtin row with your
soft voice and your blinking eyes. Viper.
| Albert watsoni II was you that drug me
. down. you who turned my silly mind with
YOUR soft voice and your saudy presents.
YOU who set me out on the wrong road -"
My good woman" said Watson easily.
You are evidently laboring under Al mis-
] apprehension
| Don't good woman me, you snake,
{ cried the woman. II am not-and 20 you
| is the blame. They're coming for me on
| horses in wagons. with dogs, ou. DO not
care DON, you hear EN- Albert Watson
| Listen"
The crowd held It's breath and became
! aware of a connection without