Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-08
CHAPTER ".
The Baroness Helena.


There was one of our dim street
lights at a central corner on old Penn
sylvania avenue and under it, after q
long walk. paused for glance at the
inscription on my sealed document.
had not looked at it before in the con-
fusion of my somewhat hurried mental
processes. In addition to the name and
street number, in Calhoun's writing,
read this memorandum: Knock at the
third door in the second block beyond
NJ Street"
| recalled the nearest cross street;
but l must confess the direction still
seemed somewhat cryptic. Puzzled,
stood under the lamp. shielding the
face Of the note under my cloak to KEEP
off the rain, as / studied 1t.
The sound of wheels behind me on
the muddy pavements called my atten-
ton, and ! looked about. A carriage
came swinging up to the curb where
stood. 1t was driven rapidly, and as II
approached the door swung open.
heard a quick word, and the driver
pulled up his horses. l saw the light
shine through the door on glimpse OF
white satin. / looked again. Yes. II
was a beckoning hand! The negro
driver looked at me inquiringly.
All, well, l suppose diplomacy under
the stars runs much the same in all
ages. l have said that l loved Elisa
beth. but also said was not yet thir-
ty. Moreover, was a gentleman, and
here might be a lady in need OF help'
I need not say that in 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 me.
A dark framed face. whose outlines
I could only dimly see in the faint
light of the street lamp, leaned toward
me- Tie same small hand nervously
reached out, as though in request.
| now very naturally stepped closer.
A pair of wide and very dark eyes was
looking into mine. l could now see her
face. There was no smile upon her
lips. had never seen her before, that
was sure-nor did l ever think to see
her like again; l 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 beautlfully
rounded, nose clean-cut and stralght'
thin but not pinched. There was noth-
ing niggard about her. She was mag
nificent-a magnificent woman. l saw
that she had splendid jewels at ner
throat, in her ears-a necklace OF dla-
monds, long hoops of diamonds ano
emeralds used as earrings; spark
ling clasp which caught at her white
throat the wrap which she had thrown
about her ball gown-for now l saw
she was in full evening dress. guess
ed she had been an attendant at the
great ball. that ball which l had
missed with so keen a regret myself
the ball where l had hoped to dance
with Elisabeth. Without doubt she
had lost her way and was asking the
first stranger for instructions TO hel
driver.
NV lady, whoever she was. seemed
pleased with her rapid temporary scru-
tiny. With a faint murmur, whether
I tell
she drew back again to the farther side
of the seat. Before l knew how OF
why, | was at her side. The driver
pushed shut the door, and whipped ur
his team.
Personally am gifted with but small
imagination. In a very matter OF rae
way had got into this carriage VIII
q strange lady. Now in sober ant
matter of fact way it appeared to me
my duty to find out the reason for thi:
singular situation.
Madam" l remarked to my com
panion. lin what manner can be oI
service to you this evening"
II am fortunate that you are gen
tleman," she said, in a low and sof'
voice, quite distinct, quite musical IL
quality, and marked with just the faint
est trace of some foreign accent. al
though her English was perfect
| looked again at her. Yes. her hail
was dark: that was sure. 1t swept VI
i'm a great roll above her oval brow
Her eyes, too, must be dark, | confirm
ed. Yes-as passed lamp gave m'
aid-there were strong dark brow:
above them. Her nose, too, was patri'
clan; her chin curving just strongl!
enough. but not too full. and faintl!
cleft. sign of power. they say
A third gracious lamp gave me
glimpse of her figure, huddled baci
among her draperies, and | guessed
her to be about of medium height.
fourth lamp showed me her hands
small. firm. white: also l could cater
q GLIMPSE of her arm. as il lay out
stretched. her fingers Clasping fan
So | knew her arms were round an'
taper. hence all her limbs and hgur
finely nodded. because nature does no
do such things by halves, and make
no bungles in her symmetry of cont"u
when she plans a noble specimen OF hu
manity. Here was noble specimen o
what woman may be.
was not in such hurry to aSl
again how | might be of service. II
fact. being somewhat surprised AM
somewhat pleased. remained silen
now for a time, and let matters adjus
themselves: which is not bad cour5
for any one similarly engaged
She turned toward me at last. de
liberately. her fan against her lips
studying me. And did as much. tax
ins such advantage as l could of tn
passing street lamps. Then. all a
once. without warning or apology, Sh
smiled. showing very even and whit
teeth.
She smiled. There came t" IN" fr"r
the purple ColOred shadows some s"l
Of deep perfume. strange to me.
frown at the description Of such thing
and Such emotions but | swear tina