The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-03-17

way, nolulns open the uOOr.
AS he was standing there he perceiv-
ed a Pickering light approaching him.
The light was evidently that of an or
binary hand lantern, and from the
swinging motion 1t was ensy to divine
that it was being carried by some one
who was walking quickly.
"Who is this?" asked Steinmetz.
at is likely to be the Countess Ca.
trina, e~xcellency."
Does she visit the cottages" asked
Steinmetz sharply.
"She does. God be with her! She has
no fear. She Is an angel. Without her
we should all be dead"
"She won't visit this If I can help it.
muttered Steinmetz.
The light fickered along the road
toward them. in the course Of a few
minutes 1t fell on the stricken cottage,
on the starosta standing in the road.
on Steinmetz in the doorway.
"Herr Stelnmetz, IS that your" asked
a voice deep and musical in the dark
ness.
"At your command" answered Stein
metz, wltnOut moving.
Catrina came up to him. She was
clad In a long dark cloak, a dark hat
and wore no gloves. She brought with
her a clean aromatic odor Of disin-
fectants. She carried the lantern her
self. while behind her walked a man
servant in livery, with a large basket
in either hand.
at is good of you" she said. ito
come to us In our need, also to per-
suade the good doctor to come with
you. May l go in?"
She looked up at him, expecting him
to step aside and allow her to pass into
the cottage, but Steinmetz stood quite
still. looking down at her with his
pleasant smile. He did not move.
II think not. This Moscow man is
eccentric. He likes to do good sub
rosa. He prefers to be alone"
Catrina tried to look into the cot
tage, but Karl Steinmetz, as we know,
was fat and filled up the whole door
way.
There was a little pause. From the
interior Of the cottage. came the muir
INJURED gratitude of the peasants, bro
ken at times by a wall Of agony-the
wall Of n man. 1t is not a pleasant
sound to hear. Catrina heard it, and ii
twisted her plain, strong face in a sud
den spasm Of sympathy.
Again she made an impatient little
movement.
Let me go in,' she urged. II may
be able to help"
At this moment Steinmetz was
pushed aside from within, and a hulk.
ing young man staggered out into the
road, propelled from behind with con.
siderable vigor. After him came a
shower of clothes and bedding.
"Pah!" exclaimed Steinmetz, splut.
tering. "Himmel! What filth! Be care
full, Catrinau'
But Catrina had slipped past him
In an instant he had caught her by the
wrist
"Come backw he cried. "You must
not go in there"
She was just over the threshold.
you have some reason for keeping
me out she returned, wriggling in his
strong grasp. II WILL will"
With a twist she wrenched herself
free INT went into the dimly lighted
room.
Almost Immediately she gave 6
mocking laugh.
Paul. she said.
For a moment there was silence II
the howell, broken only by the wall Of
the dying man in the corner. Paul ant
and suddenly %breathless, he half frown
ing. But he did not meet her eyes.
Paul." she said again. what dit
you do this for? Why are you here
Oh, why are you in this wretchet
placer"
Because you sent for me-" he an
swered quietly. Come, let us go out
l have finished here. That man vii
die. There is nothing more to be don
for him. You must not stay in here"
Steinmetz fingered behind to Civ
some last instructions, leaving Pau
and Catrina to walk on down the mar
row street alone.
How long have you been dom;
this?" asked Catrina suddenly. Sh
did not look toward him, but straigh
in front of her.
"For some years now" he reptile
simply.
He fingered. He was waiting 70
Steinmetz, who always rose to sue
emergencies, who understood secret
and how to secure them when the
seemed already lost.
Catrina walked on in silence. Sh
was not looking at the matter FRO
his point Of view at all.
"Of course" she said at length, g
course. Paul. l admire you for 1t IN
) mensely. 1t is just like you to go an
i do the thing quietly and say notfin
about it; but, oh, you must go W
r from here. lit Is too horrible
think Of your running such risks. Ratl
I er let them all die like flies than ina
. You mustn't do it. You mustn't"
4 She spoke In English, hurriedly, VII