Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-08
sh1te light through the twisted ana shat

white light through the twisted and shat
tered framework OF the window to fall in
three bright panels on the floor. The
torches In the street had for the most part
burned out or been extinguished. In place
of the red glare, the shou is and the crash
of glass. tho atmosphere of battle and
strife had left, / found this silvery light
and stiffness made more apparent by the
distant hum of many voices.
Mistress Anne was standing just within
the Threshold, her face showing pale
against the gloom, her hands clasped. The
duchess was kneeling by her husband, but
she looked up as entered.
They will Let us ell go, said bluntly-
it was best to tell the tale at once ex-
cept the one who hurt the patrol, that is. "
1t was strange how differently the two
women received the news. While Mistress
Ammo flung her hands to her fnce with q
sobbing cry of thankfulness and leaned
against the wall crying and shaking, my
lady stood up straight and still, breathing
hard, but saying nothing. l saw that She
did not need to ask what would be done
to tho one who was excepted. She knew.
NO" she murmured at last, her hands
pressed to her bosom, ''we cannot do it
81 fear we must, Isaid gently, calmly,
too, think. Yet in saying it ] was not
quite myself. An odd sensation was grow
ing upon me In the stiffness of the room.
began on u sudden, did not know why,
to thrill with excitement, to trenble with
nervousness, such as would rather have
become ono of the women than man.
My head grew hot, my heart began to beat
quickly. / caught myself looking out,
listening, waiting for something to hap
pen, something to be said. 1t was some
thing more terrible, as it seemed to me,
than the din and crash of tho worst no-
ments of the assault. What was itf What
was it that was threatening my beingi An
Instant and knew.
..Oh, no, never!" cried the duchess
again, her voice quivering her face full Of
keoncst pain. We will not givoyou up.
We will stand or fall together, friend.
Give you up! Give you up! Hal Tho
veil was lifted now, and ! saw what the
something with the cold breath going be.
fore 1t was. / looked quietly from her to
her husband, and Asked fancy she
Thought my question strangely irrelevent
at that moment: How is hcf IL he bet
ter?"
Much better He knew me for : mo-
ment, ;, she answered.. Then no seemed
to sink away again, but his eyes were
quite clear
stood gazing down at bis thin fa0sy
which had ever looked SO kindly into
mine Ny fingers played idly with the
knot Of my sword. He will live?v asked
abruptly, harshly.
She started at the sudden question; but,
brutal as it must have sounded, she was
looking at me in pity SO great and gener-
GUS that it did not wound her. oh, yes, !"
she said, her eyes still clinging to me. Il
think he will live, thank heaven!"
Thank heavenl All, yes, thank heaveni.
turned and went slowly toward thu
door, but before reached 1t she was at:
my side-nay, was on her knees by me-
clasping my hand, looking up to me with
streaming eyes. What arc you going to-
dor" she cried, reading, suppose. son1e-
thing in my face
II will see il Master Lindstrom cannot
get better terms for us, !" answered.
She rose, still OBTAINING me. : You aro.
sure?" she said, still eying me jealousy.
Quite sure, answered, forcing :,
smile. II will como back and report to.
you. -
She let me go then. and went out and
joined Lindstrom on tho staircase.
Are you certain, . asked, speaking in
. whisper. that they will; that the town
will keep its word and let the others go"
II am quite sure Of it, = he replied, nod
ding. They are Germans, and hard and
pitiless, but you may trust them. So far
will answer for them. =
Then we accept, said gravaly.
give myself up. Let them take me.