The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-05-12

ia from the Slelgn, ana the
sight made her clinch her hands unit
the knuckles shone like polished ivory.
She went slowly downstairs to the
long, dimly lighted drawing room. AS
she entered she heard her mothers
cackling voice.
eyes, princess" the countess was
saying, ut is a quaint old house-lit
tie more than a fortified farm, I know
But my husbands family were always
strange. They seem always to have
ignored the little comforts and ele
gancies of life"
ut is most interesting" answered
Etta's voice, and Catrina stepped for
ward into the light.
Formal greetings were exchanged,
and Catrina saw Eta look anxiously
toward the door through which she
had just come. She thought that she
was looking for her husband. But it
was Claude de Chauxville for whose
appearance Eta was waiting.
Paul and Steinmetz entered at the
same moment by another door, and
Catrina, who was talking to Maggie in
English, suddenly stopped.
"Ah, Catrina," said Paul, eve have
broken new ground for you. There
was no track from here to Osterno
through the forest. 1 made one this
afternoon, so you have no excuse for
remaining away now"
"Thank you," answered Catrina,
withdrawing her cold hand hurriedly
from his friendly grasp.
"Miss Delafeld," went on Paul, lad
mires our country as much as you do"
II was just telling mademoiselle,"
said Maggie, speaking French with an
honest English accent.
Paul nodded and left them together.
eyes," the countess was saying at
the other end Of the gloomy room, yves,
we are greatly attached to Thors-
Catrina perhaps more than I. l have
some happy associations and many sor-
rowful ones. But then-mon Dieu-
how isolated we are"
ut is rather far from-anywhere."
acceded Eta, who was not attending.
although she appeared to be inter
ested.
Far! Princess, I often wonder how
Paris and Thors can be in the same
world! Before our-our troubles we
used to live in Paris a portion of the
year. At least I did, while my poor
husband Travelled about. He had a
hobby, you know, poor man! Humanity
was his hobby. I have always found
that men who seek to do good to their
fellows are never thanked. There is a
little gratitude in the individual, but
none in the race"
"None," answered Eta absently.
at was so with the Charity league
went on the countess volubly. She
paused and looked around with her
feeble eyes,.
1--WE are all friends" she went on;
$50 II is safe to mention the Charity
league, is it not?"
NO." answered Steinmetz from the
fireplace; mo madame. There is only
one friend to whom you may safely
mention that"
"Ah! Bad eXample!" exclaimed the
countess %playfully. you are there
I did not see you enter. And who il
that friend"
1.-THE fair lady who looks at you from
your mirror" replied Steinmetz. will
a face Of stone.
The countess laughed and shook hel
cap to one side.
WELL" she said, II can do no harm
in talking of such things, as l know
nothing of them. My poor husband
my poor mistaken Stepan-placed M
confidence in his wife. And now he ii
in Siberia. 1 believe he works in {
bootmaker's shop. l pity the peopl,
who wear the boots, but perhaps h,
only puts in the laces. You hear, Paul
He placed no confidence in his wife
and now he is in Siberia. Let that b.
a warning to you-eh, princess?
hope he tells you everything"
my dear countess, silence" inter
rupted Steinmetz at this moment
breaking into the conversation in hi
masterful way and enabling Eta t
get away. Catrina, at the other en-,
Of the room, was listening, hard eyed
breathless. 1t was the sight Of Catri
mas face that made Steinmetz go fol
ward. He had not been looking a
Catrina, but at Eta, who was perfec
in her composure and steady self con
troll.
do you want to. enter the boot trad
also?" asked Steinmetz cheerfully, ii
= lOwora6 voice
"Heaven Forbid" cried the countess
"Then let us talk Of safer things"
The short twilight was alread,
brooding over the land. The room
lighted only by small square windows
grew darker and darker until Catrin
rang for lamps.
II hate a dark ROOM" she said shor,
" to Maggie.
When De Chauxville came in a fey
minutes later Catrina was at the piano
The room was brilliantly lighted, an
on the table cleaned and glittered th
silver tea things. The intermediat
meal had been disposed of, but th
samovar had been left alight, as is til
habit at Russian afternoon teas.
Catrina looked up when the French
man entered, but did not cease play
ing.
There is 40 need for introductions,
think" said the countess.
we all know NJ. de Chauxville,'' r,
* - H.---S 49, 1HLN 49,