The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-08-25
CHAPTER Xxx,
The Woman Who Cares!"

"The Woman Who cares!"
Countess Ilka was not far to find.
She was watching eagerly for his COM
ing, for she had her trump card to
play. She knew we'll that on the sue
cess of this evening all her hopes
hung. She had had her warning from
a secret source that the time allowed
here to accomplish her purpose was
fast drawing to an end. If she must
confess to failure-or be crushed by a
failure that she did not even confess,
for there was nothing unknown to
that dark and hidden society-she
would be abruptly taken from the
scene of her failuse and lose her
place in the societys esteem.
1t meant more than mere failure to
Countess Ilka-no one who had never
worked under the heavy bondage of a
secret association could guess what
it meant She must secure her prey
tonight or risk the loss of her posi-
ton in the eye Of the dread body she
had sold herself to. And defeat meant
ruin, crushing and complete. 1t was
little wonder that she sat with eager
eyes fixed on the walters, as her own
last partner left her side. When she
saw Winstanley threading his way
through them to her, she drew a
quick, sharp breath of relief.
"Our dance, think?" She rose
with soft, swift movement that was
grace itself, and took his arm quickly,
as if she were only too glad to accede.
They took one long. sweeping turn
among the thinning crowd, just long
enough for Winstanley to say to him.
self, not for the first time, that though
Ursula was a beautiful dancer, Coun-
tes nka was undoubtedly the most di-
vine waltZer that he had ever met.
Then he felt her hang suddenly and
wearily upon his arm, and instinctive-
ly he slackened his steps. "You are
tired?" he asked, looking down into
the exquisite face below him. ''Would
you rather we stopped?"
"a little tired" Her voice was
languid and her smile up at him was
stop if you don't mind, and sit down
somewhere where could be quiet. l
feel so strangely dizzy all at once"
"Let me get you some water, or an
ice.'
"A little water. thanks" They left
the whirl of walters and found them:
selves In one of the long corridors out
side. An open door showed them a
peep of a room fitted up for sitting
out There were shaded lights and
low couches, and it was empty of all
other occupants. Her touch on his
arm arrested him. LET us sit down
here if you don't mind. No, never
mind getting me anything; l don't
want to be left. somehow; feel so
oddly faint" He put her into the
easiest chair hurriedly, and would
have started Off to find water, but that
she held with an imploring hand. In
a minute or two she raised her head,
with a faint and quivering smile. Il
am better, oh, great deal better-it
is nothing" she said, with an effort
he thought brave.
REALLY? You are sure? What can
it have been-the heart-the fatigue?"
Her wonderful eyes dropped before
his anxious ones and she hesitated. Il
think-I think it was being so miser-
able for fear you were vexed."
Winstanley felt pang of compunc-
tion, as if helpless child had accused
him of brutality. "Oh, nonsense; you
must not think such thing possible!
should have had no right to be angry
with you. On second thoughts, do
you know, I've been thinking perhaps
I was too abrupt"
1T was my foolishness. But could
not bear to think you were cross with
me-" How charming she was In her
simplicity! One seldom saw such
naivete In an English woman out OF
the schoolroom; one could as soon be
cross with kitten as with her.
"Oh, no! That would have been an
impertinence on my part. I wonder
after all, If your brother had not bet,
ter take his invention to our secretary
of state for war. He would tell him il
there were anything in it, or, if>you
like, will speak to Gen: Kenyon
about 1t. He is interested in all kinds
of practical experiments inssexplo
sives." ~ +. /"
"Ah, you must not mention it to q
living creature! He would not for
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