The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-05-29

busy round me. busy with a steaithy
diligence. Master Lindstrom was pack
ing his plate. Dymphna, pale, but with
soft, happy eyes--for had she not cause
to be proud?-was preparing food and
thick clothing. The duches had fetched
ner child and "a dressing 1t for the
journey. Master BERTHE was collecting
small matters and looking to our arms.
In one or other of these occupations
4 can guess in which-Nan Tree was
giving his aid. And SO, since the duch-
ess would not let me do anything. it
CHANGED that presently I found myself
left alone for a few minutes with Anne.
was not watching her. I was knaw-
ing my nails In a fit OF ~desponaency.
rejecting that l was nothing but a
hindrarce and a drawback to my
friends. since whenever a move had TO
be made 1 was sure to be %invallded.
when | became ware through some
mysterious sense, that my companion.
who was kt:eeling on the floor ehind
me. packing. had deststed from her
work and was gazing t1xedly at me. (
turned Yes: she was looking at me.
her eyes. in which a snoldering fire
seemed to burn. contrasting vividly
with her pale face and contracted
brows. When She saw that I had
turned-of which at first she did not
seem aware-she rose and came to me
and laid Il hand on my shoulder and
very like fright fell Upon me. her man
ner was so strange. What Is it?" I
stammered as she still pored on me in
silence. still maintained her attitude.
What Is the matter. Anne"
Are o quite a fool?'" she v,hlsp-
cred. her voice almost a hiss. her hot
breath on my cheek. Have you no
sense left that you trust that man"
For a moment l failed to understand
her. What man." l said. oh Van
Tree"
AYE. Var Tree! Who else? VIII
you go straight into the trap he has
aid FOR your" She moistened her,lips
parched. You are all mad. Mad. I
think? Don you see." she continued,
STOPPING over me again and whispering
hurriedly. her wild eyes close to mine,
that he is jealous Of your"
vas" l said uneasily. That is
all right now"
He was? He is" She retorted. -Hs
went away wild with you. He comes
back smiling and holding out his hand.
Do you trust him. Don't you see--don'l
you see" She cried. rocking me to and
fro with her hand in her excitement,
that he Is fooling you? He is leading
us all into a trap that has been aid
an English envoy on his way to Ger
many? Rubbish-rubbish. I tel, youI..
But Clarence
Bah. 1t was all your fancyif' She
cried fierceiy her eyes for the moment
Hitting to the door. then returning to
my face. How should he find US? Or
what has Clarence to do with an Eng
l!Sh nvoy"
I do not know" I said. She had not
in the least persuaded me. In a rare
moment 1 had seen into Van Trees
soul and trusted him implicitly. Please
take care" 1 added. wincing under her
hand. You hurt mel"
She spratg back with a sudden
change OF countenance as II had
struck her and for a m cowered
away from NE. her former passion still
apparent fighting for the mastery in
her face. 1 set down her condition to
terror ut the plight we were all in or to
vexation that no one would taxi her
view. The next l went fur
ther. thought her mad, when she
turned abruptly from me. and flying to
the door by which Van Tree had en-
tered began with trembling fingers to
release the pin which confined the bar.
cried in horror. They can see that
oor from the river. and IL they see
the light they will know we are up and
have taken the alarm. and they may
make a dash to secure US. Stop, Anne!
Stop!" l cried. But the girl was deaf.
She tusged desperately at the pin and
had already loosened the bar when I
caught her by the arms. and pushing
her away set my my back against the
door. Don't be foolish!" 1 said gent
ly. You nave lost your head. You
must let us men settle these things,
Anne"
She was indeed beside herself. for she
faced me during a second or two as
though she would spring upon me and
tear me from the door. Her hands
worked; her eyes cleaned: her strong
white teeth showed themselves. I
s~huddered; l had never pictured her
looking like that. Then. as steps
sounded or the stairs and cheerful
vo~tces-cheerful they seemed to me ns
they broke in on that strange scene
drew nearer, she turned. and walking
deliberately to a seat fell to weeping
Historically.
VIVA are you doing to that door,"
cried the duchess sharply as she en-
tered with the others. I was securing
the bar again.
Nothing" 1 said stolidly. Il am see
ing that it is fast"
+,r land : 1 hoi5y to it miss" she she con
come over YOU. / wouid like m to knows ,,xS
Stop crying, girl. What is the matter
with you? Will you shame us all be-
fore this Dutch maid? Here. carry
these things to the back door,"
Anne somehow stifled her sobs and
rose. Seeming by a great effort to re-
cover composure. she went out, keeping
her face to the last averted from me.
CONTINUED Next Week,l.
-
Atchison Globe Siohts
The hardest work in the world is try
ing to be agreeable when you don't feel
like 1t.
,rho.o /, ,o+. .,