Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-08-03
CHAPTER N.-CoSr1NuEn.

The broad light from the window fell full
upon him, showing him to be a man of but
medium height, though stout and pale of
and slightly dished at the bridge. The
mouth was sensual, and bespoke his char
acter at a glance, though his face was by no
means coarse or weak. His brow was not
4 broad, but it was smooth and open, and his
brown hair, greatly pulled about his ears,
was tied into queue behind and profusely
powdered.
But he was not striking figure despite the
gorgeous uniform of scarlet and gold
adorned with the waistcoat ribbon and bril-
I liant star of his knightly order. Something
! there was about him which impressed me
with the littleness of his nature, and there
was Turk in his side glances wholly in
! compatible with an honest, fearless spirit.
Undoubtedly he was a man proud of his
rank and power-a man much given to self.
| communion and silence. His official stand
\ ing was indicated by the single heavy epau-
q let adjoining his right shoulder. His sword,
with its belt wrapped about it, he carried in
his hand.
I 81 declare, madam" he said, as he
| Strengthened himself and walked to hand
| somey appointed table, on which he de-
posted his sword, you have bravcd the
/ storm and stolen march on me, as you
| promised. Have you other charms to pit
( against the terrors of tempest and earth
! quake? You are the queen of graciousness
| to thus honor me. Do You find Lounsbury
the name he recognized my presence by
look and an almost impcrceptible bending
OF The head.
T
Badely, rising and affecting petulancc as she
adjusted her costume. "You' interrupted
me before 1 had come to conclusions. The
affair is none of my making, and l am
broken-hearted at its necessity. Oh, neces-
sty is such a dreadful worlds it not,
Capt. Lounsbury? Really, Sir Henry, sup
posed you would not come for an hour yet,
but, now that you arc here, l will leave you
to settle with the captain while look after
my recreant ward. Sir Henry, feared
would have found her with you. All! Capt.
Lounsbury ones children, be they ours by
law or nature, are such a trial-such trial!
When shall I know of your decision, Sir
Henry" Then with an upward look and
clearly affected archness, ''You will honor
me tonight, will you not, Sir Hcnry?'
What answer Clinton made l never knew.
He held out his hand to her, the fall OF
lace from his cuff almost covering it, and
with step as unnatural as that in the
minuet escorted her into the hall, closing
the door behind him.
He was not absent long. had but time
to. take in the details of the elegantly fur
nished apartment, from its carved fireplace
6 behind the table to the carved easing of
the window overlooking the Hudson, when
he entered rather hastily, his face no
longer bearing it's genial expression, and
with something of a business-likc air seated
himself at the table, motioning me to take
the chair opposite.
Before speaking he cast quick glances at
me, instantly removing his eye from mine as
he met my gaze, but Immediately returning
to the charge. Finally, he began quite
sharply:
''Are you Capt. Lounsbury?"
Ny heart lcaped at the question, and
pulled myself together with the firm in
tention of laying violent hands on him if he
had discovered the fraud, but answered
quietly and with an answering look:
eyes, your cxcellcncy."
General Knyphausen has always vouchcd
for you, but you hardly appear the des-
perado l had been led to expect. Your
physique and carriage make you an excel
), Alent agent-if-you have subtlety behind"
His manner was unsuspicious, and this
relieved me. Bowling, answered:
Il have seen service, your eXcellcncy,
and have always rendered good account
Of myself"
$50 l am told," he replied. "You are
remarkable man. You look and speak like
gentleman, yet your record is shady, sir;
STILL" he put in hurredly, II am not criti-
4 cising. War has its necessities. You read
the order given you yesterday"
Yes, your cxcellency.'
care you prepared to act on its sugges-
tion?"
Eyes, your excelency"
He stopped as if perplexed, and passed his
hand across his brow.
~ GU were not successful in your mission
to Norfolk! Why did you not reports"
"The party was out of reach l ven
tnred, hazarding the guess that he referred,
to The kidnapping business. "But l made
] continued, pointing to my sling, which
through all the excitement in leaving the
Kings Arms had not forgotten.
s"Will you undertake a similar GRAND
here in the city, and in connection with the
trip to Newport?" he asked, looking at me
and then away.
Eyes, your excellency, if it be feasible"
II "It is feasible; it is easy, and You shall be
we'll rewarded. Have you money!"
" mo, your excellency; have nothing but
! my promise of prize money. am living on
the credit of that"
"a Indeed! Have you the paper with you,
properly indorsed?'
For an answer took it from my pocket
!. and laid it before him, at the same time
realizing with start that the communica-
.ion given to me the day before had been
left in my room in the hurry OF escaping
from the tavern. He picked up the docu-
.nent laid before him, glanced at it, and
then, rising, went to a bookcase, which on
This he unlocked, and taking from it several
rouleaux of coin laid them on the table.
.:You must have money; you cannot get
penses. Listen! l shall ret intrust you
ture is too hazardous. Tell him to hold
start to his relief within two weeks. l
shall also communicate with him by land"
He arose again, and ciaspins his hands
behind him walked up and down the floor.
I saw that the man was wishing to come to
ing. and, as time was object to me,
hoped to help him over the difficulty by
remarkins:
The matter OF The cruise is plain
enough, but your excele1cy limited at Sc
cret instructions.
Yes, yes" he answered. cit was that l
referred to moment since" He hesitated,
and then pointing to my arm, continued,
y 4