The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-16

countess playfully. you are there!
1 did not see you enter. And who is
that friend%'
1.-The fair lady who looks at you from
your mirror" replied Steinmetz, with
face of stone.
The countess laughed and shook her
cap to one side.
Well" she said 81 can do no harm
in talking of such things as l know
nothing Of them. My poor husband
my poor mistaken Stepan-paced no
confidence in his wife. And now he is
in Siberia. 1 believe he works in a
bootmaker's shop. l pity the people
who wear the boots, but perhaps he
only puts in the laces. You hear, Paul?
He placed no confidence in his wife
and now he is in Siberia. Let that be
warning to you-eh, princess?
hope he tells you everything"
"My dear countess, silencew inter-
rupted Steinmetz at this moment,
breaking into the conversation in his
masterful way and enabling Eta to
get away Catrina, at the other end
of the room, was listening, hard eyed,
breathless 1t was the sight Of Catri-
mas face that made Steinmetz go for
ward. He had not been looking at
Catrina, but at Eta, who was perfect
in her composure and steady self con-
troll.
"Do you want to enter the boot trade
alsO?" asked SteinmetZ cheerfully, in
a lowered voice.
Heaven forbidr' cried the countess.
'Then let us talk of safer things"
The short twilight was already
brooding over the land. The room,
lighted only by small square windows,
grew darker and darker until Catrina
rang for lamps.
81 hate dark room," she said short
ly to Maggie.
When De Chauxville came in a few
minutes later Catrina was at the piano.
The room was brilliantly lighted, and
on the table cleaned and glittered the
silver tea things. The intermediate
meal had been disposed of, but the
samovar had been left alight. as is the
habit at Russian afternoon teas.
Catrina looked up when the French
man entered, but Gid not cease play
ing.
There is no need for introductions, 1
think" said the countess.
I'VE all know NJ. de Chauxville," re-
piled Paul quietly, and the two men
exchanged glance.
De ChauXville shook hands with the
newcomers and while the countess pre-
pared tea for him launched into long
| description of the preparations for the
bear hunt of the following day.
The Frenchman was really full Of In
formation and enthusiasm. There were
many details upon which he required
Paurs advice and the two men talked
together with less constraint than they
had hitherto done. De ChauXville had
picked up a vast deal of technical mat
ter and handled his little knowledge
with a skill which babe fair to deprive
it of it's proverbial danger. He pres
emily left Steinmetz, and the prince en-
gagged in a controversy with the coun-
tess as to meeting place at the lunch
con hour.
Maggie and Catrina were at the pi-
ano. Eta was looking at book Of
photographs.
"a charming house, princess" said
De Chauxville in a voice that all could
hear while the music happened to be
soft. But Catrina's music was more
remarkable for strength than for soft
ness.
Charming" replied Eta.
The music rose into swelling burst
of harmonious chords.
81 must see you, princess said De
Chauxville.
Eta glanced across the room toward
her husband and Steinmetz.
"Alone," added the Frenchman cool
y.
Eta turned page Of the album and
looked critically into photograph.
"Must?" she said. with little frown.
"Mustr repeated De Chauxville.
"a word do not care about" said
Eta, with raised eyebrows.
The music was soft again.
at is ten years since 1 held a rifie,'
said De Chauxviile. "Ah, madame, you
do not know the excitement. l pity
ladies, for they have no sport-no big
game"
Personally, monsieur" answered
Eta, with bright laugh, II do not
grudge you your big game. Suppose
you miss the bear, or whatever it may
BET"
"Then," said De Chauxville, with a
brave shrug Of the shoulders, at is the
turn of the bear. The excitement is
his-the laugh is with him."
| Catrina's foot was upon the loud
pedal again.
Nevertheless, madame" said De
Chauxville, II make so bold as to use
the word. You perhaps know me well
enough to be aware that l am rarely
bold unless my ground is sure"
II should not boast Of it." answered
Eta. There is nothing to be proud Of.
1t is easy enough to be bold If you are
certain of victory
"When defeat would be intolerable,
even certain victory requires care!
And cannot afford to lose"
lose what?" inquired Eta.
De Chauxville looked at her. but he
| d;d not answer. The music was soft