The Washington times., 1905-07-16
PART LCHAPTER v.

It was eleven O'Clock when Anna
slung a basket over her arm and went
out to buy dinner for the day. She
was marketwoman and cook in the curio
shop. as wei as mistress, and the duties
that fell to her were varied and numer
ous- She bought fish, an armfu1 of
vegetables, a packet OF lentils, some
coffee and dried figs; then. her errand
finished. she turned homeward. The re-
flection of the morning was in her eyes,
an audible song rose occasionally to her
lips, for the lulled storm had left win
try sunshine behind II that Quickened
the blood.
Father she cried, as she swung
into the shop. you ought to go QUIT
There's a feel in the air today that
would wake YOU Then, as Solny made
no answer, she looked. farther into the
darkness. What. Johann, Who gave
you leave to dress?' She laid down her
What are you doing? Cataloguins?
How silly. with a wounded head,''
y Y
Johann raised a pallid face 1T only
hurts a little; beside-beside, I like to
be occupied
Anna shook her head How silly,''
she SSlu again Ou look SldStlF, you
can hardly stand"
Then I will sit for little" He look
ed uncertainty about.
But the girl intervened. Come into
the kitchen: you can have place by the
fire. while 1 work.
He assented easily. following her
across the shop and through the living
room. to the kitchen beyond; it seemed
Sy1ot he 70 r,i,
self. Seen by day, his face looked
meagre: and the deformity that by night
had appeared shadowy. showed cruelty
IN the colder light
Anna drew wooden chair to the
CRATE, and picking up q bellows. set
the fire in q blaze From her place by
the hearth. she glanced UP at him
Your face is all pinched." she said,
"and your fingers are blue with cold
He sat down docilely. and silence
fell
She washed the lentils for the soup.
sliced the onicns and broke up the cell
cry but her eyes and her attention We're
all the while. On the strangers face.
It was with a preoccupied air that she
finally began 10 prepare the Iish.
y e:
Johann. in his turn was uneasy He
moved. sighed thrust his hands into his
pockets, then sighed again; at last he
rose. 1T Is of no use he said. Il
cannot ST G-ite still. 1t was the same
when Won lett this morning, 1 could not
lie in bed He walked pervousIy to the
dresser, his hands hanging by his sides.
Anna, watching him intentiy. felt that
! he thirsted to speak; but she kept her
| head silently bent.
''Arnar' He fingered the plates.
Yes
"Oh. It is OF no use He crossed TO
the window. then walked back again.
Anna. I cannot keep it 10 myself. The
sweat breaks out every time l think
am a coward-a coward He sorted
a heap of plates till they ratified
She watched him unswervingly. II
suppose we are all towards, Johann"
The steadiness of her tone mastered
him: he ceased his nervous gestures and
stood looking out. III / only dared"
he said at last.
She crossed the room. and slipping her
arm through his led him back TO the
Are Now, tell me what II is.
He dropped into his former seat and
covered his eyes. Il have been rob-
bed he said abruptly. and I am
afraid" lie slowly wiped the dampness
from his face.
Anna returned TO the table and began
to slice the fish There was a long
pause; then she spoke. Suppose you
begin a the beginning. Most things
have q beginning, you know" Secret
hunting was new to her. but she had a
keen instinct for the right act and the
right word. Nest things have begin
Ming" she said again in a level voice.
The tonic acted; he sat UP. 1T was