The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-05-05
MANKATO FREE PRESS.
81 wonder why

j
you had not been going l should have
said No at once"
Karl Steinmetz laughed quietly.
"What do representa-" he asked.
Safety" she replied at once.
She gave a queer little laugh.
"And Paul" he saiG.
strength" replied Maggie promptly.
He looked down at her-a momentary
glance of wonder. He was like a WON
an, inasmuch as he judged person by
q flicker Of the eyelids-a glance, a ST.
lence-in preference to judging by the
spoken word.
"Then, with us both to take care OF
you, may we hope that you will brave
the perils of Osterno"
"If 1 may assure my mother that
there are no perils."
Something took place beneath the
gray mustache-a smile or q pursuing
up of the lips in doubt.
"Ah, l cannot go so far as that. You
may assure Lady Delafield that 1 will
protect you as I would my own daugh-
ter. If-well, If the good God in
heaven had not had other uses for me
should have had q daughter of your
age"
He took her back to her chaperon.
bowed in his old world way to both
ladies and left them.
eff can help it. my very dear young
FRIEND" he said to himself as he cross
ed the room, looking for Paul, "you
will not go to Osterno."
He found Paul talking to two men.
"You herev' said Paul in surprise.
'Come up into the gallery"
A certain listlessness which had been
his a moment before vanished when
Paul recognized his friend He led the
way up the narrow stairs. In the gal
lery they found few people-couples
seeking, like themselves, rare soil
tude.
what news?" asked Paul, sitting
down.
"Badr' replied Steinmetz. "We have
had the misfortune to make danger
| GUS enemy-Claude de Chauxville."
Claude de Chauxville," repeated
Paul.
Eyes. He wanted to marry your
wife-for her money"
Paul leaned forward and dragged at
his great fair mustache. He was not
subtle man, Analysing his own
thoughts. Had he been he might have
wondered why he was not more jeal-
GUS in respect to Eta.
"Or," went on Steinmetz, ut may
have been--the other thing. 1t is a
singular thing that many men incapa-
BILE Of a lifelong love can conceive
lifelong hatred based on that love.
Claude de Chauxville has hated me all
his life. for very good reasons, no
doubt You are now included in his
antipathy because you married ma
DAME"
II dare say" replied Paul carelessly.
'But l am not afraid of Claude de
Chauxville or any other man."
II am" said Steinmetz. "He is up
to some mischief l was calling on
the Countess Lanovitch in Petersburg
when in walked Claude de Chauxville.
He was constrained at the sight Of my
stout person and showed it, which was
mistake. Now, what Is he doing in
Petersburg? He has not been there
for ten years at least. He has no
friends there. He revived a minute
acquaintance with the Countess Lano-
witch, who is a fool of the very first
water. Before came away I heard
from Catrina that he had wheedled an
invitation to Thors out Of the old lady.
Why, my friend, why?"
Paul reflected, with a frown.
1--WE do not want him out there" he
said
"No, and If he goes there you must
remain in England this winter"
Paul looked up sharply.
81 do not want to do that 1t is all
arranged" he said. "Etta was very
much against going at first, but per-
suaded her to do So 1t would be a
mistake not to go now"
Looking at him gravely. Steinmetz
muttered, 81 advise you not to CO."
Paul shrugged his shoulders.
II am sorry" he said "It Is too late
now. Besides, l have invited Miss
Delafeld, and she has practically ac-
cepted.''
docs that matter?' asked Steinmetz
quietly.
Eyes. I do not want her to think
that l am a changeable sort of per-
son."
Steinmetz rose, and, standing with
his two hands on the marble rail, he
looked down into the room below.
"Well." he said resignedly. ''it is as
you will There is certain pleasure
in outwitting De Chauxville. He is so
cleverr