The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-05-28
husy round me. BUSY with a stealing

busy round me, busy with a stealthy
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 feed AID
thick clothing. The duchess had fetched
her child and was dressing it for the
journey. Master BERTHE was collecting
/ small matters and looking to our arms.
In one or other of these occupation
/ can guess in which-Van Tree was
giving his aid. And so, since the Ouch
| eSS would not let me do anything, 1t
CHANGED that presently found myself
left alone for a few minute; with Anne.
l was not watching her. was knaw-
ing my nails in a fit of despondency.
rejecting that l was nothing but a
h~indrance and a drawback to my
friends, since whenever a move had to
be made | was sure to be inyalided,
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 fiNedly at me. l
turned. Yes; she was looking at me,
her eyes, in which a sinoldering fire
seemed to burn, contrasting wildly
with her pale face and contracted
turned-of which at first she did not
seem aware-she rose and came to me
and laid a hand on my shoulder and
leaned over me. \ feeling that was
very like fright fell upon me, her man
ner was so strange. "What is it?" 1
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
breath on my cheek. Have you no
sense left that you trust that man?'
-. - -, 7 +N.lll -. 800 - 4
her. "What MANI l said. oh, Van
Tree!"
Aye. Van Tree! Who else? VIII
you so straight into the trap he has
laid for you?" She moistened her lips
with her tongue, as though they We're
parched. You are all mad! Mad, L
think? Don't o see she continued,
STOPPING over me again and whispering
h~urriedly, her wild eyes close to min
that he is Jealous of your"
was" l said ~uneasily. THAT is
all right low"
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 on his way to Ger
many? Rubbish-rubbish. l tell you!."
But Clarence
Bah! 1t was all your fancy," she
cried fiercely, her eyes for the m
fitting to the door. then returning to
my face. How should he find us? Or
what has Clarence to do with an Eng
lish envoy?"
Il do not know" 1 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
AXE care" l added, wincing under her
hand. You hurt met"
She sprang back with a sudden
change of co~untenance as If I had
struck her and for a momen covered
away from ne, her former passion still
apparent fighting for the mastery in
her face. l set down her condition to
terror at the plight we We're all in or to
| veXatton that no one would take her
view. The next moment I went fur
Their. l 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 he pin which confined the bar.
Stop! Stop! You will ruin ALL" 1
cried in horror. They can see thai
door from the river, and if they see
the light they will know we are up and
make a dash to secure us. Stop, Anne!
Stop!" I 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!" / said gent
ly. You have 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
l faov ma f~nv 1~D~ w. l~.l
white teeth showed themselves. ]
shuddered. l had never pictured her
looking like that. Then, as steps
sounded on the stairs and cheerful
voices-cheerful they seemed to me as
they broke in on hat strange scene
drew nearer, h turned, and walking
deliberately to a seat fell to weepins
Historically.
What are you doing to that door?'
cried the duchess sharply as she en-
tered with the others. l was securine
the bar again.
Nothing" said stolidly. 81 am see.
ing that it is fast"
And hoity toity. miss" she con.
tinued, turning to Anne. What ha.
come owe you. / would like to know
with you? Will you shame us all be.
fore this Dutch maid? Here, carr,
these things to the back door,
Anne somehow sti1ed her sobs an,
rose. Seeming by a great effort to re
cover conposure. she went out, keepin;
her face to the last averted from me.
tContinued Next Week.)
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