Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-03-10
CHAPTER TX.
srR HENRY cLINToN

Conceiving that a blunder had been COM
mitted, and that was unwittingly an in
truder in private room, / was about to
make an apology for my presence when the
lady half rose from the partly reclining posi-
ton she had assumed and with a gentle
wave of her hand said:
"You are Capt. Lounsbury? Come near
er, please. Sit here against the light, that
may have look at you" at the same time
indicating chair near the great window
which was swung open and led to small
balcony without.
Her voice was sweet, but even in these
few words noticed the affectation of in
Election SO common with ladies of fashion,
and her original position, which she imme-
diately regained after thus addressing me,
was pose pure and simple, doubtless
taken for the purpose of exposing her fine
arm and the graceful curves of her small
though equally fine figure.
Madam | replied, advancing pace or
two, II have not the honor of knowing you
as well as you seem to know me. By what
name"
"Mrs. Florence Badely," she interrupted,
with q smile which discovered her small,
white teeth, and accumulated the rather
infantile prettiness of her face. II have
taken the liberty of asking to see you ere
you met Sir Henry A woman is better
judge of man than one of his own SEX"
"And in the present case to what end,
MADAME" ] asked, bowling and taking the
chair to which she had motioned me.
For an answer she slowly raised pair of
doublebowed gold eyeglasses, deliberately
and silently scanning me from head to foot.
"Well!" she broke forth irrelevantly. II
al, ,ppf
gentleman! Were your face but less red
and your figure less gigantic, in proper
costume you would not be amiss. Your leg
is none too delicate, but you have fine
teeth and eyes, and your hair also is ex-
cellent. am quite provoked! Sir Henry
has deceived me, though it is now perhaps
just as well that you are not ill-favored.
Are you SO hard-hearted, Capt. Lounsbury?
You scarce look a kidnaper!"
Her reference to kidnapping brought me
sharply back to the role of Lounsbury,
whose papers had shown kidnapping to have
been one of his accomplishments. Under
the sharp eye of this lady, whom now
knew to be Clinton's reported lght-o love,
it would not do for me to make slip.
That in some manner she had to do with
my coming secret instructions l instantly
surmised, but the conjecture on my part
could clear the mystery of the nature of this
interest. Deeming it policy to refrain from
discussing the matter, I simply said:
Madam, my leg is not exactly that of a
dancing master, nor has my figure the grace
of courtier, but they are the gifts of
God, and have seen service in this broil
against the king. AS for the small compli-
ments, am your debtor"
"Now, really, Capt. Lounsbury, you have
quite neat gift at retort also" But she
got no further, as at that instant door
concealed by heavy hangings was suddenly
thrown open, letting in burst of noisy
laughter from what might have been dozen
men, the sound of jollity being mingled
with the blinking of glasses and gathering
of coin. The door then shut, and was evil
IDENTIFY securely fastened, as / heard the
turn of key and the shooting of bolt;
the curtains were pushed aside, and there
entered man, who by his uniform alone
knew to be the commander In chief of the
British forces in America.
Sir Henry gave me but passing glance
as l rose to my feet. He stepped forward,
and taking the hand of the lady, who
barely shifted her position to greet him,
bowed low over it, repeatedly kissing the
finger tips.
LIE U1ouu il8lI iIolA VIC WluuOW lel luIl
upon him, showing him to be man of but
medium height, though stout and pale of
face. His eyes were dark, his nose long
and slightly dished at the bridge. The
mouth was sensual, and bespoke his char.
acter at glance, though his face was by no
means coarse or weak. His brow was not
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 brill
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.
GndsnbtAtls AA- RaS . man brosA II hiS