Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-01-27
had merely hurried in out of the chill

dea.er, she began another, study OF
village life. for which she bribed some
picturesque little urchins to act as
models. 1t was getting too cold fer
outdoor work. and this picture could be
done entirely in the studio
She had only seen Miss Leprimaudier
twice since the first evening, and de-
SPARED of ever making her acquaint
ance.. She could not account for it, but
almost against her will she felt strong
attraction for her.
One bright, chilly day in October, An
nette had been for a ramble through the
yellowing woods with Mike, her quar-
relsome little Irish terrier. AS she was
returning home Mike set off in hot pur-
suit of something; thinking it was only
Il rabbit, Annette took no notice. but
presently she heard a frightened yelp.
and hurrying en- there was Mike stand
ing over poor little fat Max. who was
trembling in every limb.
Annette rescued the puppy, and
looked round for his mistress, but no
one was in sight, so there was nothing
to be done but take him home, as he was
evidently lost in the woods. From a dis
lance Annette saw two figures in the
Red cottage garden. one of which was
certainly Max's mistress, but the other
was not the servant; it looked like
girl rather older and taller than the
one Annette had seen before. Hearing
some one approaching, the girls looked
up, and as she opened the gate the
taller of the two ran hurriedly indoors.
The other. looking very agitated. came
to meet Annette and held out her arms
10 take Max. Annette explained how
she had found him. and Miss Lepriman-
der thanked her politely. and then
asked her if she would come in.
| Annette wondered where the other
girl had disappeared to, but did not
! like to ask; her hostess gradually lost
| her nervous manner and chatted in
| very friendly way, asking questions
about the people round about the vii
| lage.
They walked round the garden to-
gether while the austere-looking Scotch
woman got the tea ready in the coy
| little parlor. Annette admired the
pretty little place, and the two girls be-
came quite friendly over a cup of tea.
and Miss Leprimaudier. who had found
out that he new friend was an artist,
begged to be allowed to call and look al
her pictures.
The friendship thus begun deepened
as time went on, and autumn faded into
winter. Hardly day passed in which
Annette Lane and Grace Leprimaudier
did not meet each other. They took
long walks across the downs, inland,
Max and Mike, grown friendly. too, like
| their mistresses, running in front, or
lettering behind if they scented game,
and could get off in pursuit before be-
ing detected.
One day, when they had been intimate
| friends for months, Annette said to
Grace. 81 have always meant to ask you
who was the girl / saw working in the
garden with you that day I brought
| Max home?" A deep flush spread over
Grace's face before she turned to the
window to hide it. They were having
tea in Annette's studio.
you must have been mistaken" she
replied, coldly. 81 know no one but you
in the village. Tt must have been Mar
tha," she added after minutes pause.
| "Oh, no, it wasn't Martha" said An
nette, decidedly. But seeing the others
| evident reluctance to explain, she let
the subject drop. For few days after
that she noticed Grace looking furtive-
ly at her when they were together, and
she seemed on the point of saying some
thing. and then would flush up and start
talking nervously upon the first sub
ject apparently which entered her head.
| However, at the end of week they
were sitting over the fire together in
Annette's studio. 1t was nearly dark,
and she got up to light the lamps.
"No, don't do that yet" entreated
Grace, 81 want to tell you something,
and 1 would rather say what have to
say in the dusk. Annette, I have de-
ceived you, there was girl with me
that day in the garden. It was my sis
ter. Forgive me, dear, for not telling
you before" and her eyes filled with
] tears.
Never mind, Grace, perhaps you had
your own good reason for not telling
me-
"Ah. that's just ii" interrupted Grace.
eagerly. Il couldn't tell you then. 1t
is Il secret, no one knows she is there.
She is mad, Annette-and I try to keep
it from all the world" and she broke
down and sobbed.
''Oh, Grace, how dreadful" cried her
friend, shocked beyond expression at
this revelation. poor, pretty Grace:
she murmured, laying her hand tender
~ on the other girls arm. 'What a
dreadful burden for you to bear!"
Eyes, but we all have our skeletons in
our cupboards. and that's mine. Don't
let's talk about it any more" and she
dried her eyes. Keep my secret. feel
l can trust you. Come and see her to-
morrow; she isn't dangerous" and she
laughed.
Somehow that laugh Jared upon An
nette. She promised, however, to go
| and see her next day.
With secret uneasiness Annette put