The Sauk Centre herald., 1910-06-30

saw her eyes no more I'LL 1nrelka
came and lifted her head, offering her
q cup of drink, and so standing pa
tiently until again she had dismissal.
But still it is all a puzzle to me,
madam" | began. II do not under
stand"
"Well. when you stood at the door,
nv little shoe in your pocket, when
YOU kissed my hand that first night:
when YOU told me what you would do
did YOU love a woman-When l saw
something new in life l had not seen
why, then, in the devils resolution
that no woman in the world should be
happy if l could help, | slipped in the
body of the slipper little line or SO
that / had written when you did not
see, when l was in the other room.
Twas that took the place OF Van
Zandts message, after all. Monsieur,
it was fate. Van Zandt's letter, with
out plan, fell out on my table. Your
note, sent by plan, remained in the
shoe!"
And what did it say? Tell me at
once"
Very little. Yet enough for wom-
an who loved and who expected. Only
this: In spite of that other woman,
come to me still. Who can teach you
love of woman as l can? Helena l
think it was some such words as
those"
81 had not thought any one capable
of that" said I.
"Ah, but repented on the instant!
l repented before night came. In the
twilight l got upon my knees and
prayed that all my plan might go
wrong-if could call it plan"
But again l could only turn away
to ponder.
"See," she went on; "for myself,
this is irremediable, but it is not so
for you, nor for her. 1t is not too
ill to be made right again. There in
Montreal, l thought that l had failed
in my plan, that you indeed were mar
ried. You held yourself well in hand;
like man, monsieur. But as to that,
you were married, for your love for
her remained; your pledge he'd. And
did not /, repenting, marry you to her
did not /, on my knees, marry you to
her that night? Oh, do not blame me
too much!"
'She should not have doubted" said
!. 81 shall not go back and ask her
again. The weakest of men are strong
sometimes!"
but
ing such, you cannot understand how
terribly much the faith of man means
for woman. 1t was her need for you
that spoke, not her doubt of you.
Forgive her. She was not to blame.
Blame me! Do what you like to pun
ish me! Now, l shall make amends.
Tell me what best may do Shall 1
go to her, shall | tell her"
Not as my messenger. Not for
me-"
mo? Well, then, for myself? That
is my right. | shall tell her how
priestly faithful a man you were.
Come" she said, 81 will bargain with
you, after all'
Amy bargain you like, madam"
And l will keep my bargain. You
know that l will"
"Yes, | know that
Very we'll, then. | am going back
to Washington"
How do you mean?"
"By land, across the country; the
way you came"
you do not know what you say,
madam. The journey you suggest is
incredible, impossible
THAT matters nothing. l am 60
ing. And l am going alone No, you
cannot come with me. Do you think
] would risk more than l have risked?
] go alone. | am England's spy; yes,
that is true. l am to report to Eng
land; yes, that is true. Therefore, the
more l see, the more shall have to
report. Besides, | have something
else to do
But would Mr. Pakenham listen to
your report, after all?'
Now she hesitated for moment 81
can induce him to listen," she said.
THAT is part of my errand. First, be-
fore l see Mr.. Pakenham l am going
to see Miss Elizabeth Churchill.
shall report also to her. Then l shall
have done my duty. Is it not so?'
You could do no MORE" said L.
"But what bargain"
Listen. If she uses me ill and will
not believe either you or me-then,
being woman, l shall hate her; and
in that case / shall go to Sir Richard
for my own revenge. l shall tell him
to bring on this war. In that case,
Oregon will be lost to you, or at least
bought dear by blood and treasure"
"We will attend to that, madam" !"
said l grimly, and l smiled at her, al
though a sudden fear caught at my
heart. knew what damage she was
In position to accomplish if she liked.
My heart stood still. l felt the faint
sweat again on my forehead
'If l do not find her worthy of
you, then she cannot have you," went
on Helena Won Ritz.
But, madam, you forget one thing.
She is worthy of me, or of any other
man."
81 shall be judge of that. If she is
what you think, you shall have her
and Oregon!"
But as to mvself madam? Tho hor