The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-04-07

metz ana cOncluueQ tnat there was
nothing to be done but do our dirty
work ourselves"
And that is why you have been so
fond OF Osterno the last two years"
che asked innocently.
YES" he answered, falling into the
trap.
Catrina WINGED One does not vince
the less because the pain is expected.
"Only that?" she inquired.
Paul glanced at her.
YES" he answered quietly.
They walked on in silence for few
moments. Paul seemed tacitly to have
given up the idea of visiting any more
of the stricken cottages. They were
going toward the long old house. which
was called the castle more by courtesy
than by right.
How long are you going to stay in
Osterno?" asked Catrina at length.
about fortnight 1 cannot stay
longer. l am going to be married"
Catrina stopped short. She stood for
a moment looking at the ground with
sort of wonder in her eyes not pleas
ant to see. Then she walked on.
II congratulate you," she said. II
only hope she will make you happy.
She is beautiful, suppose?"
sYes," answered Paul simply.
The girl nodded her head.
"What is her name?"
"Etta Sydney scarborough"
Catrina had evidently never heard
the name before. 1t conveyed nothing
to her. Womanlike, she went back to
her first question.
What is she like"
Paul hesitated.
"Tall, l suppose?" suggested the
stunted woman at his side.
"Yes."
And graceful?"
"Yes."
HAS she-pretty hairT' asked Ca
trina.
Il think so-yes."
You are not observant," said the
girl in singularly even and emotion
less voice. Perhaps you never no
ticed."
mot particularly" answered Paul.
Catrina was unaware of the thought
Of murder that was in her own heart.
Nevertheless the desire = indefinite,
shapeless-was there to kill this wo-
man, who was tall and beautiful,
whom Paul Alexis loved.
1t must be remembered in eXtenu-
alton that Catrina Lanovitch had lived
nearly all her life in the province of
Tver. She was not modern at all. De-
prived Of the advantages of our en-
lightened society press, without the
benefit of our decadent fictional litera-
ture, she had lamentably narrow views
of life.
She only knew that she lOYed Paul
and that what she wanted was Saul's
love to go with her all through her
life. She was not self analytical nor
subtle nor given to thinking about her
| OWE thoughts. Perhaps she was old
fashioned enough to be romantic
Catrina hated Eta Sydney Bambor-
ough with a simple. half barbaric ha-
tired because she had gained the love
| of Paul Alexis. Eta had taken away
from her the only man whom Catrina
could ever love all through her life. The
girl was simple enough. unsophisticat-
ed enough, never to dream of COM
promise. She never for a moment en-
tertained the cheap, consolatory
thought that in time she would get
over it; she would marry somebody
else and make that compromise which
is responsible for more misery in this
world than ever is vice.
where does she live?" asked Ca.
trina.
'In London"
Il wonder" said Catrina. half to her.
| self, whether she loves you"
1t was a question, but not one that
man can answer. Paul said nothing,
but walked gravely on by the side of
this woman, who knew that even if
Eta Sydney Marlborough should try
she could never love him as she her,
self did
When Karl Steinmetz joined them
they were silent
81 suppose" he said in English, "that
we may rely upon the discretion of the
| Fraulein Catrina?"
"Yes," answered the girl. you may,
SO far as Osterno is concerned. But
would rather that you did not visit
our people here. 1t is too dangerous
in several ways"
! "Ah!" murmured Steinmetz "Then
we must bow to your decision" he
went on, turning toward the tall man
striding along at his SIDE
| "Yes," said Paul simply.
"Will you come to the castle" asked
the girl. And Steinmetz by gesture
deferred the decision to Paul.
IL think not tonight, thanks" said
the latter. 1--WE will take you as far
as the gate"
Catrina made no comment. When
the tall gateway was reached she stop
ped, and they all became aware Of the
sound Of horses feet behind them.
"What is this?" asked Catrina.
"Only the starosta bringing our
horses" replied Steinmetz. HE has
1