Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1908-08-22
CHAPTER xIx-Continued.

90 Win WOTldl, theii' cNSh IA q
woman were not the writer. ] went In
to breakfast in two minds about going
I longed to tell Master BERTHE and take
his advice, though the unknown had
| enjoined me not to do SO. But for the
| time refrained, and explaining my ao-
sence OF mind as well as could
presently stole away on some excuse or
other and started in good time and on
foot into the city. / reached The rem
| dezvous a quarter Of an hour before
| the time named, and strolling between
the church and the bakers shop tired
to look as much like a chance passerby
as I could. keeping the while wary
lookout for any who might turn out TO
be my correspondent.
The morning was cold and gray A
drizzling rain was falling. The passers
| were few, and the appearance OF the
streets dirty and, with Uttered kennels,
| was dreary indeed. ] found II hard az
once to keep myself warm and to avoid
observation as / hung about. Ten
o'clock had rung from more than one
steeple, and l was beginning to think
myself a fool for my pains when a
woman of middle height, slender and
young In figure. but wearing shabby
brown cloak, and with her head muffied
in hood, as though she had the tooth
ache or dreaded the weather more than
fry and made straight toward me. She
drew near and seemed about to pass
me without notice. But when abreast
OF me she glanced up suddenly, her
eyes the only features l could see.
Follow me to the church," she mur-
INJURED gently, and she swept on to the
porch.
1 obeyed reluctantly-very reluctant
ly my feet seeming like lead, for /
knew who she was. Though had only
seen her eyes, l had recognized them
and guessed already what her business
with me was. She led the way reso-
lutely to a quiet corner. The church
was empty and still, with only the
scent Of incense in the air to tell Of a
recent service. 1t was no surprise to
me when she turned abruptly, and re-
moving her hood looked me in the
face.
What have you done with him?"
she painted laying her hand on my
arm. Speak Tell me what you have
done with him?'
The question. the very question I
with her. l said, with whom?"
with whom" she repeated bitterly.
You know me! l am not so changed
In three years that you do not recog-
nize me?"
No; 1 know you," I said.
There was a hectic flush on her
cheeks, and II seemed to me that the
dark hair was thinner on her thin tenn
pies than when had seen her last,
but her eyes were the same.
Then why ask with whom" she
cried passionately. What have you
done with the man you called Clar-
ence"
Done with him?" said feebly.
Aye. done with him? Come, speak
III 49,. gN,t... 49, H.. A..
cents, her hand clutching my wrist,
her eyes probing my face with merci-
less glances. Have you killed him?
Tell me?"
KILLED him, Mistress Anne?" l said
sullenly. mo; l have not killed him."
He is alive?" she cried.
For all know, he is alive"
She glared at me for some,seconds to
assure herself that was telling the
truth. Then she heaved a great sigh.
her hands fell from my wrists, the COL
or faded out Of her face, and she low
cred her eyes. l glanced round with
momentary idea Of escape, l so
shrank from that which was to come.
But before had well entertained the
notion she looked up, her face grown
calm.
Then what have you done with
him." she asked.
II have done nothing with him." I
answered.
She laughed-a mirthless laugh.
"Bah," she said, do not tell me lies!
That is your honor, / suppose-your
honor to your friends down in the cell
lar there! Do you think that do not
know all about them? Shall give you
the list? He is a very dangerous con-
spirator, is Sir Thomas Penruddocke,
is he not? And that scented dandy,
Master Kingston! Or Master Crewd-
son-tell me Of him! Tell me of him,
! say!" she exclaimed. with a sudden
return from irony to a fierce eagerness,
GREATNESS impatience. Why did he
not come up last night? What have
you done with him."
/ shook my head, sick and trembling.
How could I.tell her?
Il see," she said. You will not tell
me. But you swear he Is yet alive,
Master Cludde? Good. Then you are
holding him for a hostage? Is that
1t ?" with piercing glance at my face,
"or you have condemned him, but for
some reason the sentence has not been
executed?" She drew long. deep
breath, for fear my face betrayed me
That is 1t, is It? Then there is still
time"
She turned from me and looked to-
ward the end of the aisle, where a dull
red lamp hanging before the altar
glowed feebly in the warm, scented air
She seemed so to turn and so to look
in thankfulness as II the news she had
learned were good instead of what, II
was. What is the hour fixed? ?" She
asked suddenly. g., -. E.. ... ...
shook my head.
You will not tell me? Well. it mat
! ters not" she answered briskly He
must be saved. Do you hear? He must
be saved, Master Cludde. That is your
| business" ~ o. .' '.
shook my head.
You think it is not?" she said. We'll
/ can show you 1t is! Listen!"
She raised herself on step Of the
fount and looked me harshly in the
| face. "If he be not given UP to me safe
| and sound by sunset this evening,
will betray YOU, all! All. I have the
list here" she muttered sternly: touch.
ing her, bosom You, Master BERTHE
All! Do you hear? Give him up, OF
you shall hang!"@ b..
You would not do it," I CRIED
aghast, peering into her burning eyes
Would not do II? Fool!" she hissed
IF all the, world but he had but on,
head, l would cut it off to save his
He is my husband! Do you hear? H,
is my husband-my all! Do you thinl
have given up everything, friends anC
honor and safety, for him to lose hin
now? No! You say / would not do 1t
Do you know what l have done? You
| have a scar there"
She touched me lightly on the breast
II did It," she said. p. g..
Your" I muttered.
Yes, /, you blind fool! I did IT," sh'
answered. You escaped then and / wa.
| glad of II, since the wound answered m!
purpose. But you win not escape again
| The cord is surer."
Something in her last words crossed
my memory and enlightened me.
"You were the woman / saw las
night" said. You followed US from
| Highgate."
What matter? What matter?" sh,
| exclaimed impatiently. Better be foot
| sore than heartsore. Will you do nov
what want? Will you answer for hi
| life?'