The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-08-11
Prisoners and Capfives
go s.
by II. 8. MERRIMAN


Miss Winter, standing in the drawing
room, heard the tones Of a mans voice,
and in few moments the maid knocked
and came into the drawing room.
"A gentleman, please, miss a Mr.. Eas-
ton," she said
"Mr. Easton," repeated Agnes Winter.
For moment she forgot who this might
be. SHOW him up at once"
Matthew Mark Easton had evidently
devoted some care to the question Of dress
on this occasion. Some extra care, per-
haps, for he was a peculiarly neat man.
He always wore a narrow silk tie in tho
form Of bow Of which the ends were
allowed to stick straight out sideways over
the waistcoat. His coat was embellished
by an orchid.
Il am afraid" he began at once, with
perfect equanimity, that have made a
mistake-a social blunder. l came to in
form you that l have secured box-the
stage box-for Wednesday night at the
Epic Theater. 1t will be doing me a
pleasure If you will form one of my
party. I do not know exactly how these
things are managed in England, but I
want Miss Grace and her brother to come
as my guests, too. Miss Grace was kind
enough TO ask me to be one Of theater
party, and mentioned the Epic, 50 went
right away and got box"
"Oswin has just gone to procure seats
for the same night" said Miss Winter,
quickly.
No." replied the American, II stopped
him. l met in the street"
Miss Winter knew that they must have
met actually on her doorstep, and she
wondered why he should have deliberately
made misstatement. She felt indefinitely
guilty, as IL Oswin's visit had been sur
reptitious. Suddenly she became aware
of the quick, fitting glance of her COM
panion's eyes, noting everything-each
tiny flicker of the eyelids, each indrawu
breath, each slightest movement.
How am l to do it?" he asked, limo
Gently. "A note to Miss Grace or a YER
bal invitation to her brother?"
"A nots," replied Miss Winter, with
gravity equal to his own, Ito Helen,
saying that you have secured the stage
box for Wednesday evening, and hope
that she and her brother will accept seats
in it."
He nodded his head, signifying compre-
hension, and rose to go.
THAT" said Miss Winters, skipping
away from the subject under discussion
with all the inconsequence of her sex and
kind, reminds me Of something heard
said Of you the other evening. 1t was, in
fact, said to me-"
'Then," replied the American, with
CHEEKY gallantry, II should like to hear 1t.
Had it been said to any one else allow
that l should have been Indifferent"
He stood with his hands clasped behind
his back, looking down at her with a smile
upon his wistful little face.
do you know Mr.. Santow?'
The smile vanished and the dancing
eyes at once assumed an expression OF
alert keenness, which was almost ludi-
crous in its contrast.
'The Russian attache-unaccredite p
he replied, giving back question for cues
ton. MOO" he said, slowly, II do not
1 think l know him by sight"
II have met him on several occasions.
rather like him, although cannot I'M
derstand him. There Is an inward Mr..
Santow whom have not met yet l only
know creature who smiles and behaves
generally like lamb"
"Santow," said Easton. deliberately, "is
altogether too guileless."
Miss Winter countered sharply.
81 thought you did not know him?
II do not" answered Easton, imper.
turably.
Except by reputation?"
Precisely"
He is reputed," said Miss Winter, etc
ha a great djDlomaf1sfn
$50 believe-hence the lamblike man
ners."
Easton's face was a study in the art Of
suppressing curiosity.
do you think that he is a wolf IL
lambs clothingf" asked the lady with 9
laugh. II will tell you what he said about
you"
THANK you"
1--WE were talking about Russia-it 1,
his favorite topic-and he said that a
times he felt like the envoy from some
heather country, 30 little Is Russis
known by us. By way Of illustration, ht
asked me to look around the room ant
tell him IL 1t did not contain all that wa,
most intellectual and learned in England
admitted that he was right. He said
And yet there are but two men in tn,
room who speak Russian Then he point
ed you out. There is one,' he said; h,
knows my country better than any maj
in England. If he were a diplomatist
should fear him 7 What Is hep 1 asked
and he merely shrugged his shoulders Il
that guileless way to which you object"
| Matthew Mark Easton did not appeal
to be much impressed. He moved from
one foot to the other, and took consider
able interest In the pattern of the carpet
"And," he inquired, did be mention
the name Of the second accomplished per
SOM"
mo"
81 wonder what It vast" said Easton
"Mr. Tyars, suggested the lady, calmly
Possibly. By the way, I thought o
asking him to Join US on Wednesday a
the Epic"
II hope" said Miss Winter, with
gracious little bow, shat he will be abb
to come"
Dear Miss Grace began Eastou
solemnly, as II repeating lesson, 4 hav
secured the stage box at the Epic 70
Wednesday exening next, and l hope tina
you and your brother will do me tn