Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-03-28
CHAPTER IX.-CoNTTNUED


The broad light from the window fell full
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 bril-
liant star of his knightly order. Something
there was about him which impressed me
with the littleness of his nature, and there
was lurlx in his side glances wholly in
compatible with an honest, fearless spirit
Undoubtedly he was 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
let adorning his right shoulder. His sword,
with it's belt wrapped about it, he carried in
his hand.
Il declare, madam" he said, as he
Strengthened himself and walked to hand
somely appointed table, on which he de-
posted his sword, you have braved the
storm and stolen a 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 gracousness
to thus honor me. Do you find Lounsbury
to your likng?" And as he pronounced
the name he recognized my presence by
look and an almost impcrceptible bending
of the head.
"Now l protest, Sir Henry" said Mrs.
Badely, rising and affecting petu.ance as she
adjusted her costume. You interrupted
me before l had come to conclusions. The
affair is none of my making, and l am
broken-hearted at it's 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 are here. 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 trial-such trial.
When shall / know of your decision, Sir
Henry" Then with an upward look and
clearly affected archness, "You will honor
me tonight, will you not, Sir Henry?"
What answer Clinton made never knew.
He held out his hand to her, the fall of
lace from his cuff almost covering it, and
with a step as unnatural as that in the
ninuet 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 iueplace
behind the table to the carved casing of
the window overlooking the Hudson, when
he entered rather hastily, his face no
longer bearing it's genial expression, and
with something of business-like 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 leaped 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 l answered
quietly and with an answering look:
eyes, your excellency."
General Knyphausen has always vouched
for you, but you hardly appear the des-
perado I had been led to expect. Your
physique and carriage make you an excel
lent agent-if-you have subtlety behind >
His manner was unsuspicious, and this
relieved me- Bowing, answered:
"1 have seen service, your excellericy,
and have always rendered good account
of myself"
$50 am told" he replied. You are q
remarkable man. You look and speak like
gentleman, yet your record is shady, sir;
STILL" he put in hurriedly, II am not criti
cising War has its necessities. You read
the order given you yesterday"
eyes, your excellency."
''Are you prepared to act on its sugges
tion%
Eyes, your excellency."
He stopped as if perplexed, and passed his
hand across his brow.
"You were not successful in your mission
to Norfolk! Why did you not reports!
"The party was out of reach, ven
tured, hazarding the guess that he referred
to the kidnapping business. But l made
amends later. j have been i'll from wound
/ continued, pointing to my sling, which
through all the excitement in leaving the
Kings Arms j had not forgotten.
'sWiIl you undertake similar GRAND
here in the city, and in connection with .hs
trip to Newports" he asked, looking at m'
and then away.