Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-05-29

busy round me. busy with a stealthy
diligence. Master Lindstrom was pack
ing his plate. Dymphna, pale, but WITH
soft, happy eyes-tor had she not cause
TO be proud?-was preparing food ana
thick clothing. The duchess had fetched
her child and was dressing II for the
Journey. Master BERTHE was collecting
small matters and looking TO our arms.
In one or other OF these occupations
| can guess in which-Van Tree was
giving his aid. And so, since the duch-
ess would not let me do anything. II
CHANGED that presently | found myself
Ieft alone for a few minutes with Anne.
was not watching her, ! was knaw-
ing my nails in a fiji of dependency,
| rejecting that l was nothing but a
hindrance and a drawback TO my
friends. since whenever a move had to
be made | was sure to be invaded,
when l became aware, through some
mysterious sense, that my companion,
who was kneeling on the floor behind
me, packing, had desisted from her
work and was gazing tiXedly at me. L
turned Yes; she was looking at me,
her eyes, in which a smoldering fire
seemed to burn, contrasting wildly
with her pale face n contracted
broWs. When she saw that | had
"a oN 4 IN NAo 49,
seem aware-she rose and came to me
and laid a hand on my shoulder and
leaned over me. A feeling that was
very like fright fell upon me, her man
ner vas so strange. What is t?' l
stammered as she still pored on me in
silence, still maintained her attitude.
What is the matter, Anne
Are you quite a fool?" she whisp-
cred, her voice almost a hiss, her hot
- 1-al- - 800. 80
sense left that you trust that man."
For a m failed 10 understand
her. What man. l said. "Oh, Van
Tree!'
AYE. Van Tree, Who else? VIII
you go straight into the trap he has
laid for you?" She moistened her lips
with her tongue, as though they were
parched. You are ali mad. Mad, |
think? Don't you see she continued,
STOPPING over me again and whispering
hurriedly, her wild eyes close to mine,
that he is Jealous OF your"
He vas l said uneasily. That is
all right now"
II was? He Isl" she retorted. 'He
went away wild with you. He comes
back smiling and holding out his hand.
Do you trust him. Don't you see--don't
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 laid
carefully enough. What is this tale Of
an English envoy OF his way to Ger
many? Rubbish--rubbish, l tell you!"
But Clarence
Bah! 1t was all your fency!" she
cried fierceiy. her eyes for the momen
fitting to the door. then returning TO
my face. How should he find us? Or
what has Clarence to dc with an Eng
liSh envoy?"
Il do not know" | said. She had not
in the least persuaded me. In a rare
moment l had seen into Van Trees
soul and trusted him implicitly. Please
take care" | added, wincing under her
hand. You hurt mel"
She sprang back with a sudden
change OF countenance as if | had
struck her n for a moment covered
away from me, her former passion still
apparent fighting for the mastery in
her face. | set down her condition to
terror at the plight we were all in or to
veXation that no one would take her
view. The next m / went fur
Their. / 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,
stop! Stop! You will ruin ALL" /
Ntltu II IAOAItl- ItAGE GdIi oCC llldl
door from the river, and If they see
the light they will know we are UP and
have taken the alarm, and they may
make a dash to C us. Stop, N
Stop" ] cried. But the girl was deaf.
She tugged desperately at the pin and
had already loosened the bar when l
caught her by the arms, and pushing
her away set my my back against the
door. Don't be foolish!" l said gent
w ssVon hana lnGf xCJfr ha1H Won
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. 1
s~huddered. l had never pictured her
looking like that. Then, as steps
sounded on the stairs and cheerful
voices-cheerfui they seemed to me as
they broke In on that strange scene
drew nearer, she turned. and walking
deliberately to a seat fel! to weeping
Historically.
What are o doing to that door,"
cried the duchess sharply as she en-
tered with the others. l was securing
the bar again.
Nothing" / said stolidly. Il am see
ing that it is fast"
And hoity toity. miss" she con-
tinued. turning to Anne. What has
come over you. / would like to know?
Stop crying, girl. What is the matter
with you" VIII 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.
(Continucd Next Weekly