The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-04
CHAPTER w.
The Baroness Helena

The Baroness Helena
Woman is seldom merciful to the man
who is timid. Edward Bulwer Lytton.
There was one Of our dim street
lights at central corner on old Penn,
sylyania avenue, and under 1t, after
long walk, | paused for glance at
the inscription on my sealed docu'
ment had not looked at it before in
the confusion OF my somewhat hur-
ried mental processes. In addition
to the name and street number, In Cal
houn's writing, / read this memo
randum: KNOCK at the third door
in the second block beyond M street -
recalled the nearest cross street;
but | must confess the direction still
seemed somewhat cryptic. Puzzled,
stood under the lamp, shielding the
face OF the note under my cloak to
keep OH the rain, as | studied IT,
The sound of wheels behind me on
the muddy pavement called my atten.
tion and ! looked about. A carriage
came swinging up to the curb where
| stood. 1t was driven rapidly, and
as 1t approached the door swung open.
heard a quick word, and the driver
pulled up his horses. saw the light
shine through the door on glimpse
of white satin. | looked again. Yes,
1t was beckoning hand! The negro
driver looked at me inquiringly.
All, well, suppose diplomacy under
the stars runs much the same in all
ages. | have said that / loved Eliza.
beth, but also said | was not yet 80.
Moreover, | was gentleman, and
here might be a lady in need of help.
| need not say that In a moment was
at the side of the carriage. Its occu-
pant made no exclamation OF surprise;
in fact, she moved back upon the
other side of the seat in the darkness,
as though to make room for mel
A dark framed face, whose outlines
| could only dimly see in the faint
light Of the street lamp, leaned to-
ward me. The same small hand ner-
vously reached out, as though In re-
quest.
now very naturally stepped closer.
A pair of wide ard very dark eyes
was looking into mine could now
see her face. There was no smile
upon her lips. had never seen her
before. that was sure-nor did | ever
think to see her like again; ! could
say that even then, even in the half
light Just trife foreign, the face;
somewhat dark, but not too dark;
the lips full, the eyes luminous. the
forehead beautifully arched, chin and
cheek beautifully rounded, nose clean.
cut and straight thin but not pinched
There was nothing niggard about her
She was magnificent magnificent
roman. ! saw that she had splendid
Jewels at her throat, In her ears--a
necklace Of diamonds. long hoops ol
diamonds and emeralds used rs ear
rings sparkling clasp which caught
at her white throat the wrap which
she had thrown about her ball gown
for now | saw she was in full evening
dress. ] guessed she had been an at
tendant at the great ball that bal
! which had missed with SO keen re
+. greet myself-the ball where hat
hoped to dance with Elizabeth With
out doubt she had lost her way ant
s-was asking the fifst stranger for in
structions to her driver.
Ny lady, whoever she was, seemed
pleased with her rapid temporar,
scrutiny. With faint murmul
whether of invitation OF not scare
could tell. she drew back again TO th
farther side OF the seat. Before
knew how or why, was at her sid,
The driver pushed shut the door, an
whipped up nis team. sssa.
Personally am gifted with bu
small imagination In a very matte
u tact way h-i got into this ca