Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-06-09

long pause marked renewed scrutiny.
"Your names Sophy. isn't it?'
yes" sophy hesitated. then forced
out the words, "Sophy Crouch
"Grouch?'
II said Crouch"
"Humph! Well, Sophy, don't go on
the stage. It's poor affair, the stage,
begging Miss Julia's pardon. I'm sure
she'll do admirably at 1t. But poor
affair it is. There's not much to be
said for the real thing, but it's deal
better than the stage, Sophy."
"The real thing?" Julia saw Sophy's
eyes grow thoughtful
"The world-places-Lon don-Par
men and women-Lord help them!
Come with me, and I'll show you all
that"
"what shall do If come with
your
do? Eat and drink and waste time
and money, like the rest of us. Eth.
Pindar?"
"Of course" said Mr.. Pindar, with
placid smile.
Everybody in my house is a slave,
I'm told, but you won't be more Of q
slave than the rest"
will you have me taught?"
Lady Meg looked hard at her. For
the first time she smiled, rather grimly.
Yes, I'll have you taught, and I'll show
you the queen Of England and, If you
behave yourself, the emperor Of the
French-Lord help himv'
Not unless she behaves herselfw
murmured Mr.. Pindar
Hold your tongue, Pindar! Now,
then, what do you say? No, wait
minute. want you to understand It
properly" She became silent for mo-
ment. Julia was thinking her very
rude woman; but. since Pindar did not
mind, who need?
Lady Meg resumed. II won't make
an obligation Of you'll mean won't
be bound to you, and you shan't be
(, bound to me. You'll stay with me as
/. long as you like or as long as like, as
! the case may be. If you want to go.
put your visiting card-yes, you'll have
, one-tn an envelope and send it to me-
And If want.you to go I'll put hun
dred pound note In an envelope and
send it to you. upon which you'll go and
], no reasons given! Is 1t agreed?"
| ut sounds all right" said Sophy.
did you always have that mark on
! your cheek?"
"1es, always. Father told me So"
well, will you Gomez"
Sophy was torn. The stage was very
attractive. and the love she had for
Julia Robins held her as though by
cord. But was the stage poor thing7
Was that mysterious rea! thing betteri
Though even of that this strange wo.
man spoke scornfully. Already there
must have been some underground
channel of understanding between
them, for Sophy knew that Lady Meg
was more than interested in her-that
Ehe was actually excited about her, and
Lady Meg, In her turn, knew that she
played good card when she dangled
before Sophy's eyes the queen of Eng
land and the emperor of the French
| though even then came that saving
"Lord help himl" to damp an over.
ardent expectation.
"I.et me speak to JULIA" said Sophy.
Lady Meg nodded. The girls linked
arms and walked apart. Pindar came
to Lady Meg's elbow.
Another whim!" said he in low
voice. Pixies was looking around the
view with kind of vacant content
ment.
Eyes," she said. His lips moved. ~
know what you said. You said, You
old fool!' Pindar."
Never, on my life, my ladyy They
seemed more friends now than patron
ess and client. Few saw them thus,
but Pindar told Dmnstanbury, and the
old gentleman was no liar.
"Glve me one more!" she whispered,
plainly excited. "That mark must mean
something. 1t may open way"
For her?' he asked, smiling.
ut must for her. 1t may for me-"
"a way wherein
ITO knowledge knowledge of the un.
known. They may speak through herv
Lady Meg! Lady Meg! And If they
don't, the hundred pound note! {t%
very cruel"
"Who knows-Who knows, Pindari
Fate has her ways"
He shrugged his shoulders and smil
ed. "Not half as amusing as your
ladyship's!'
Sophy, twenty yards off. flung mel
arms around Julia. The embrace was
long 1t spoke farewell Lady Meg.
. eyes frightened. "She's coming will
me-" she said. Pindar shrugged bill
/. shoulders again and fell back to heel
Sophy walked briskly up.
..I'll come, my lady," she said,
..Good! Tomorrow afternoon = +
London. Mrs. Brownlew has the ad
dress Goodby." She turned abrupt,
on her heel and marched of, her reti
nue following.
Julia came to Sophy.
!, eve can wrtte.n she said. "And she
tight. You must be for the real thing
I sophy,''
ST "My dear, my dear!' murmured Sc
' ply, half in tears. "Yes, we mus
write" She drew back and stood erect
TITS all very dark she said, "but
: like It. Lopdonv-and Paris! On til
Seine" Old lessons came back wit
new import now.
: 'The emperor of the French!" Juli
: Knocked, with tears in her eyes
!. A sudden thought occurred to SophS
). "WIat Gid she mean by 'PercivaF
/ young Ee.scn: Is his ZANE PerciSall
Julia gave a little cry. Lord Dur