Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-04
/. CHAPTER Xxx.

was frightened and puzzled ana wal
still staring at her, wondering what had
done, when footstep on the road outside
called away my attention. turned from
her to see mans figure looming dark in
the doorway. He looked at ns-I suppose
he had found the horses misunderstanding
in surprise at the queer group. babe
him good morning in Dutch, and he an
swered us we'll as his astonishment would
let him. He was short, stout fellow,
with big face, capable of expressing q
good deal of establishment. He seemed to
be peasant or farmer. "What do you
heresn he continued his cultural phrases
tolerably Ineligible to me.
explained us clearly as could that
we were on tho way to Vessel. Then !
awoke the duchess and her husband, and
stretching our chilled and aching limbs
we went outside, tho man still gazing at
us. Alas tho day was not much better
than the night. We could see but very
little way, couple Of hundred yards
round us only. The rest was install
mist Wo appealed to the man for food
and shelter, and no nodded, and obeying
his signs rather than his words we kicked
up our starved beasts and plodded out In
to the fog by his side. Anne mounted 81
lently and without objection, but 1t was
plain something strange had happened to
her. Her condition was unnatural. The
duchess gazed at her very anxiously, anu
getting no answers or very scanty ones 10
her questions shook her head gravely.
But we were on the verge Of one pleas
ure at least When we reached the hos
pitable kitchen Of tho farmhouse, 1t was
Joy indeed to stand before the great turf
fire and feel the heat stealing into our half
frozen bodies, to turn and warm back and
front, while the good wife set bread and
hot milk before us. How differently we
three felt In half an hour! How tho duch-
ess' eyes shone once more How easily
rose tho laugh to our lips! Joy had indeed
come with tho morning. To be warm and
dry and well fed after being cold and wet
and hungry-what a thing this Is!
But on one neither food nor warmth
seemed to have any effect. Mistress Anne
did indeed in obedience to my lady's
sharp words, raise her bowl to her lips,
but she set it down quickly and sat look
ing In dull apathy at the glowing peat
What had como over her?
Master BERTHE went out with the farmer
to attend to tho horses, and when he came
back he had news.
.sThere is lad here, " be said In some
excitement. who has just seen three for
eigners ride past on the road, along with
two Germans on pack horses-hye In all.
They must BIO three Of the party who fol-
lowed us yesterday"
1 whistled. .Then Clarence got himself
out, l said, struggling my shoulders.
SWELL, well!''
81 expect that Is so.' Master BERTHE an
swered, tho duchess remaining silent.
1.-The question arises again, What is to be
done?n no continued. we may follow
them to Vessel, but the good man says the
floods arc deep between here and the town,
and we shall have Clarence and his party
before us all tho way-shall perhaps run
straight into their arms. y
..But what else can we do9" said. : IL
is impossible to go back. =
We held long conference. and by much
questioning of our host learned that halr
a league away was ferryboat which
could carry as many as two horses over
the river at q time. On tho farther slue
we might hit road leading to Santon,
three leagues distant. Should we go to
Santon after alp The farmer thought the
roads on that side OF tho river might not
be flooded. We should then be In touch
once moro with our Dutch friends and
might profit by Master Lindstrom's ad-
vice, on which I, for one, was now In
clined to set higher value.
..,rhe river is bank full Are you sure
tho ferryboat can cross?' asked. Our
host was not certain, and thereupon an
unexpected voice struck in.
..Oh, dear, do not let US run any moro
risksl,, 1t said. 1t was Mistress Anne's.
She was herself again. trembling. excited.