Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-05-10
The Holiday Case;
BY BURTON E. STEVENSON.
-nzMmMw.c Copyright 1908. by Henry Holt & Co -.Mzm-m


after all, this advantage of mine was
no small one. No wonder he grew rest
less under this revelation of secrets
which were not secrets!
"Ah!" he said softly; and again, "Ah!
yes, that seems peculiar. Yet, perhaps
if you a waited for a letter.
suppose we had waited and there
had been no letter-suppose, in conse-
quence of waiting, we should be toe
late?'
TOO late? Too late for what, Mis-
tair Lester? What is it you fear for
her."
Il don't know l answered; but
Notwithstanding. AT least, we
could not ssum the responsibility of
delay"
NO" he agreed; perhaps not. You
are doubtless quite right TO investi-
gate. | wish you success wish that
| might myself aid you there is so
much of interest in the case TO me;
but l fear that to be impossible. /
calling me, SO little desire to rest! Is
not the fate ironical?"
And lie breathed q sigh, which was
doubtless genuine enough.
will you go to Paris? ?" 1 asked.
"Oh, no not at once. At HaVre |
shall meet my agent n transact my
affairs with him. Then l shall seek
~ Hi"NN "a lNANh "AOf49 N
coast"
Yes" 1 said to myself, with leap
ing heart, "Etretat!" But l dared not
speak the word.
Il shall write to you" he added,
when | have settled. Where DO you
stay at Paris?"
I'VE haven't decided yet" l said.
1--WE" he repeated.
Didn't 1 tell you? Mr.. Royce, our
junior partner, is with me-he's had a
breakdown in health, too, and needed
a rest"
1T is no matter where you stay"
he said: Il shall write to you at the
poste r~estante. | should like both you
and your friend to be my guest before
you return to Amer-ric'."
There was a courtesy, a cordially in
his tone which almost disarmed me.
such a finished scoundrel! 1t seemed a
shame that l couldn't be friends with
him, for l enjoyed him so thoroughly.
w shall be glad to accept" l an
sWered, knowing in my heart that the
invitation would never be made. You're
very kind
He waved his hand deprecatingly,
then let it fall upon the bed with a
gesture of WEAKNESS. l recognized the
sign Of dismissal. | was ready to go;
/ had accomplished all that / could
nope 10 accomplish, IL l. Hdu ilOl al
ready disarmed his suspicious, l could
never do so.
Il am firing you" / said, starting
up. How thoughtless of me-"
NO. he protested; mo-" but his
voice was almost inaudible.
Il will go" | said. You must pardon
me. l hope you Will soon be better
and / closed the door behind me with
his murmered thanks in my ears.
II was not until after dinner that l
found opportunity TO relate to Miss
Kendall the details of my ak with
MartiGny. she listened quietly until l
had finished; then she looked at me
s.riliugiy.
why did you change your mind?"
she asked.
The adventure tempted me-those
are YOUR own words. ! thought perhaps
/ might be able to throw Martigny off
the track"
ANA do you think you sue
I dent know" I answered doubt
fully. He may have seen clear through
me"
oh, I don't believe him superhu-
man! I believe you succeeded"
we shall know tomorrow" 1 sug-
Glsted.
"Yes-and you must keep up the de-
ception until the last moment. Re
member, ne will be watching you. He
mustn't see you take the train for ct
retat."
I'll do my best" l said.
And don't make mountains out of
mole hills. You see, you have been dis
trusting yourself needlessly. one
mustn't be too timid."
DO you think / am too timid?" 1
demanded, eager instantly to prove the
contrary.
But she saw the light in my eyes,
l SUPPOSE, for she drew away almost
imperceptibly.
"OnlY in some things she retorted,
and sileuced me.
The evening passed and the last day
came. We sighted land soon after
breakfast-the high white cliffs Of Cape
La HaguC-v&gue at first, but slowly
lifting as we plowed on into the bay
with the crowded roofs of Havre far
ahead.
L was standing at the rail beside
Miss KembaIl, filed with the thoughts
of our imminent good-by, when she
turned to me suddenly.
Don't forget Martigny," she
cautioned. Wouldn't you better see
him again?"
Il thought I'd wait until we landed"
I said, then l car help him off the
boat and see him well away from the
station. He's too i'll to be very lively
on his feet. We shouldn't have any
trouble lodging him.
Yes; and be careful. He mustn't sus-
pect Etretat. But look at tina clump
of houses, yonder-aren't they pictur-
esque2"
They were picturesque. with their
high red roofs and yellow gables and
striped awnings; yet, 1 didn't care to
look at them. l was glad to perceive
what a complicated business it was,
getting our bcat to the quay, for /
was Jealous of every minute; but it
was finally accomplished in the ex-
plosive French manner and after a
further short delay, the gang plank was
run out.
And now" said my companion, hold
ing out her hand, I'VE must say good
by"
Indeed, not" l protested. See, there
go your mother and Royce. They're
evidently expecting us to follow. Wen
have to help o with your baggage"
Our baggage goes through to Paris
we make our declarations there"
A least, i must take you to the
train"
you are risking everything" she
cried. We car say goodbye here as
we'll as on the platform"
II don't think So" | said.
Il have already said goodbye to all
my other friends!'
But / refuse TO be treated just like
all the others and 1 started with her
down the gangplank.