The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-02-23

| "As you see,n she answered wearily.
"Not dead?" / said.
"Nay, not dead, only sleeping" she
replied, and there was scorn in her
voice.
"How did he come hither?" asked.
But at this she turned her head away
and did not answer me. But l needed
no answer, for understood.
knelt by the couch, and put my ear
to the slecper's breast; his breath came
quickly and he muttered in his sleep.
His neck was bare at the throat, and
the veins in it swollen. Every now
and again his limbs quiyered, but still
he slept soundly.
l rose to my feet again, perplexed and
my mind filed with doubt, and looked
at my cousin. Her eyes were fastened
upon the door by which 1 had entered,
and she appeared 10 listen. Then she
turned and motioned me to retire from
the couch to a corner of the room.
Again the silver bell tinkled, and the
curtain was thrown back, and man
entered. A deep sigh broke from my
Cousins lips, and heard her murmur,
cat lastr'
From the shelter of screen watch
ed. The man was small and elderly,
and carried gold-headed cane. He
bowed low before Lady Betty, and
without a word went to the couch.
From his manner judged that he was
a doctor. Then heard them whisper
together.
''Four hours,p said my Lady Betty.
NAY, madam" he answered; "nor
eight, nor, it may be twelve.n
''Then death were betterw she ex-
claimed bitterly. "He has been"
could not hear the last word. but the
physician answered:
Indeed, fear that your Ladyship
is right"
"Nevera word of this" my cousin
said.
"My lips are sealed" he answered,
bowling and passing backwards beneath
the curtain.
Then my Lady Betty came 10 me.
''Cousin Theobald," she said, looking
at me sadly, "my honor is in your
hands,"
SIT is safe,n replied, catching her
hand and kissing it, for my heart was
heavy for her trouble.
promise me-" she went on, "that
you viii do as l ask you, whatever it
be, for twelve hours to come"
''For ever, if you will,"I burst out.
"Nay, l am no tyrant," she said,
smiling. "If he does not meet Roger
Delaney in four hours time," looking
at her tiny jeweled watch, she forfeits
his property and everything he has,
even his honorn
"You know alp" I murmured, won
dering the while how she had come by
the knowledge.
~ know all, she answered. eve
you and must save him, for you are
his friend, and as for Ine-why, God
help me, / love him to distraction"
She bent her head so that could not
see her eyes, but the jewels quivered,
trembling upon her neck.
"We will save him. / answered,
albeit knew not how we should. AT
this she bent forward and touched my
cheek lightly with her lips. Then she
drew herself up, shaking her should
ers as though she were casting a wO-
mans weakness from her.
"That we shall. cousin Theobald,"
she said, "unless you fail me, which
you will not"
She went back to the sleeping form,
and followed her.
''He must not remain here, y she went
on. "Can you carry him?'
/ answered that could, and desired
to know whittier she would have him
taken. She nainted 10 = door leading
to another chamber. So took him ia
my arms without difficulty, for was
young and strong, and carried him.
Ny Lady Betty held back the curtain
to let me pass. When had laid him
upon the bed L returned and asked her
what next she would have me do. AT
first she seemed confused and could not
find words to answer me, but at length
| understood that she desired to have
the clothes that he wore. At this L
could scarcely conceal my surprise, but
she grew impatient, complaining Of my
lack Of wit. So / returned to the bed
chamber, and having undressed PHI
Blake, who still showed no sign OF
waking, / carried his breecbes ana
stockings, together with his laced coat,
to my Lady Betty, and threw them
upon the couch.
She did not look at them, but turned
her back, as if she feared the sight Of
them.
al think there is little difference in
our height" she said.
A light suddenly broke upon my
mind.
"Cousin Betty" exclaimed, "what
will you do?"
"KilI Roger Delaney" she replied,
with her eyes flashing.
at is impossible" began.
"How so, Master Slow Wit?" she
asked calmly, though saw that her
anger was rising.
Because l answered, "Roger De-
laney will not fire at a woman"
'He shall not know that l am a wo-
man." she answered; mot when / wear
these and she made a gesture towards
the couch upon which / had thrown
the clothes
ssThere is little difference in our
stature" she went ON, and in this she
spOketruly, since, for woman she was
uncommoniy tall. "And If the morn
ing is dark, as it is apt TO be, it would
need sharper eyes than Roger Della
ney's to note the difference. Neither
are our features very different-at least
in the morning." And she put her
finger on the patch that was on her
cheek.
Lady Betty" said, remembering