The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1905-11-03
(coNrINUED FROM SECOND p.er1

~S 'N'NSiIty, luul is one OF gu
Oldest friends. We are neighbors il
the country, you know. He has al
ways been in and out Of our house like
one of the family. My poor husband
was very fond of him."
us your husband dead, then?" asked
Eta in a low voice. with a strange
haste.
NO; he is only in Siberia. You havs
perhaps heard of his misfortune
Count Stepan Lanovitch."
Eta nodded her head with the deep
est sympathy.
II feel for you, countess" she said
"And yet you are so ~brave-and made,
moiselle," she said. turning to Catrina.
81 hope we shall see more of each other
In Tver."
Catrina bowed jerkily and made no
reply. Eta glanced at her sharply.
Perhaps she saw more thar Catrina
knew.
Il suppose" she said to the countess,
with that inclusive manner which
spreads the conversation out, that
Paul and Mile. de Lanovitch were play
mates?"
The reply lay with either Of the la
dies, but Catrina turned away.
"Yes," answered the countess, but
Catrina is only t~wenty-four, ten years
younger than Paul"
Indeed" with a faint, cutting sur
prise.
While the party assembled were thus
exchanging social amenities a past
master in such commerce Joined them
in the person of Claude de ChauXville.
He smiled his mechanical, heartless
smile upon them all, but when he bow
ed Over Etta's hand his face was
grave. He expressed no surprise at see
ing Paul and Eta, though his name
betokened that emotion. There was nc
sign of this meeting having been a pre-
arranged matter, brought about by
himself through the easy and innocent
fundamentally of the countess.
And you are going to Tver, no
doubt?" he said almost at once to Eta.
Yes" answered that lady. with a
momentary hunted look in her eyes. 1t
is strange how an obscure geographical
name may force it's way into our lives,
never to be forgotten. 1t seemed to Eft
ia that "Tver" was written large
whereSoeyer she turned.
THE prince" continued De ChauX.
vile, turning to Paul, lis a great
sportsman, / am told-a mighty hunt
err"
TDayrl Cyosla1 GII-n Ia,A n f1-- 1>4a-. o
left" he said.
You are Fortunate" protested De
C~hauXville. Il shot one when l was
younger. 1 was immensely afraid, and
was the bear. l have a great desire
to try again"
Eta glanced at Paul, who returned
De ChauXville'S bland gaze with all
the imperturbability of a prince.
The countess cackling voice broke in
at this juncture, as perhaps De Chaux-
vile had intended it to do.
Then why not come and shoot
she said. 1--WE have quite a
number of them in the forests at
"Ah, Nine. la Comtesse," he answer
ed, with outspread, deprecatory hands,
but that would be taking too great an
of your hospitality and your
well known kindness"
He turned to Catrina, who received
him with a half concealed frown. The
countess bridled and looked at her
laughter with obvious maternal mean
ng, as one who was saying, There
you bungled your prince, but 1 have
procured you a baron"
The abuse of hospitality is the last
'efuge of the needy" continued De
JhauXville o~racularly. But my temp
nademoiselle?'
Catrina smiled unwillingly.
81 would rather leave it to your own
Conscience" she said. But 1 fail to
the danger you anticipate"
''Then l accept, madame" said De
with the engaging frank
less which ever had a false ring in it.
Claude de Chauxville had unscrupu-
ously made use of feminine vanity
With all the skill that was his. A little
lance toward Eta as he accepted the
INVITATION conveyed to her the fact
hat she was the object of his clever
title plot, that it was in order to be ]
ear her that he had forced the Count i
Lanovitch to invite him to Thors, t
Eta. with all her shrewdness, was
romptly hoodwinked. De ChauXville
by a little flicker of the eyelidS i
hat he had not missed his mark. He
ad hit Eta where his knowledge Of !
er told him she was unusually vul- +
He had made one ally. The s
ounteSS he looked upon with a wise f
ontempt. She was easier game than l
tia. Catrina he understood well
nough. Her rugged simplicity had '
etrayed her secret to him before he V
been five minutes in the room.
'aul be despised as a man lacking
nesse and esprit. {
Claude de Chauxville vas one of p
lose men-alas, too many-who owe S
leir success in life almost entirely S
!, some feminine influence or another. n
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