Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER lxxlII.l continued..)


changed good night" with an ac-
quaintance, who was paipably hurry
Ing Admiralty Housewares, and as
cended the steps Of Countess Ilka's
abode. The house was In semi dark
ness; the electric light was only up
{ here and there. He was shown into
her morning room, where she sat amid
i rose-shaded dimness and the scene OF
\ flowers, while q fire of ship-wood burnt
y In the crate
This Is good OF you, She put out
m eager hand and greeted him. He
noticed that she was flushed and ner-
yous, and he pitied her embarrass-
mont. After all, man II not very bad
on q woman who has confessed she
likes him. He took the chair close be-
side her that she motioned him to-,
and pushed it trifle further back.
You have something to tell me 2"
he asked, when the first rather con
strained commonplace had been ex-
changed. Something you think i will
be glad to know? 1t is very kind OF
you to trouble about it, l don't know
g7AuAI0 WInkt you fllC0lI--lDutstf YOU al %
very good to interest yourself It Is
true that there has been some little
mischief done"
I was sure of it, Her eyes were
on the door. 1t was opened now, and
I servant came in noiseiessly with
coffee. One would have said. watch
Ing her, that she hailed It's entrance
with relief Winstanley was too deep
In HIS own affairs to see 1t. She took
her cup, abut he waved aside the one
presented to him.
No, thanks. 7 Countess Illka started
forward almost eagerly oh, but you
will, surely! Iou cannot refuse to
take food or drink under my roof, or I
shall think have forever offended
you. In my own land that is only what
declared enemies do
oh, very well.n He smiled at her,
fancy, but he took the dainty cup the
man presented again. Il had mine
just before / came out; but. IL 1t is a
sign Of slmity, OF course I must drink
another cup
She was not drinking hers; she was
watching him over it, with a strange,
sfurtive glance fixed upon his face.
When he put down the empty cup in
Its saucer she drew a long breath and
slid her own unenptied cup behind her
on the silken stand with tiny shelf.
sS Now we can talk 1T all over" she
said, sweetly and smilingly Il am
sure there has been a trouble between
you and d dear. dear friend. can put
III all right with a word to her-I want
TO speak that word and make you hap
Ipyss It n ths least can do.
It $ awfully good Of YOU" He was
sud- denly aware that her voice seemed
10 come from for away He reused
himself with d jerk. What was this
strange rush OF drowsiness, this long
Ing for sleep, that was creeping over
him? The room was dark and over
heated. he felt his eyelids heavy, and
his head raised itself from the chair
back where II had slowly descended
with a Jerk. This was absurd prepos-
ferrous. IN another minute he would
be asleep, II he did not rouse himself.
!. Awfully good OF you. don't know
why you should z The words
tailed on helpl essly. His head had
sunk down for the second time, and
now It did not rise again. He drew a
7ong, sighting breath and was still.
B Countess Ilka bent forward eagerly
hut cautiously from her chair. Her
cheeks burnt with two bright spots Of
~ nftainS3IIt and f,a, ewes p1owefl SIT,