The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-05-05

ordinary woman with whom we had
to do.
But" went on, "in any case and
at all events, l should say that the
bird confined in such cage, where
secrecy is so imperative, would at
times find weariness-would, in fact,
wish to escape to other employment.
You, madam looked at her direct
ly-"are a woman of so much intellect
that you could not be content merely
to live"
NO." she said, 81 would not be cor
tent merely to live"
Precisely. Therefore, since to
make life worth the living there must
be occasionally a trifle of spice, a bit
Of adventure, either for man or wom-
an, / suggest to you, as something Of
fering amusement, this little journey
with me tonight to meet my chief
You have his message. / am his mes
senger, and, believe me, quite at your
service in any way you may suggest
Let us be frank. If you are agent, so
am /. See; / have come into your
camp. Dare you not come into ours?
Come; it is an adventure to see a tall,
thin old man in a dressing gown and
a red wooden nightcap. So you will
find my chief; and in apartments
much different from these"
She took up the missive with its
broken seal. so your chief, as you
call him, asks me to come to him, at
midnight, with you, stranger"
Precisely Could you 60 to the
onice of United States senator and
possible cabinet minister in broad day
light and the fact not be known?
Could he come to your apartments in
broad daylight and that fact not be
known? What would that man
Pakenham' suspect in either case? Be-
lieve me, my master is wise Great
necessity sets aside conventions, sets
aside everything. Come, them"
But still she only sat and smiled at
me. felt that purple and amber
glow, the emanation of her person
ality, of her senses, creeping around
me again as she leaned forward final
ly, her parted red-bowed lips dis
closing her delicate white teeth.
saw the little heave of her bosom,
whether in laughter or emotion
could not tell. l was young. Resent
ing the spell which l felt coming upon
me, all could do was to reiterate my
demand for haste. She was not in the
least impressed by this.
Gomez" she said. II am pleased
with these Americans. Yes, l am not
displeased with this little adventure"
rose impatiently, and walked apart
in the room. you cannot evade me,
madam, SO easily as you did the Mexi-
can gentleman who followed you. You
have him in the net also? Is not the
net full enough"
Never" she said, her head sway
ing slowly from side to side, her face
inscrutable. Am l not a woman
All, am / not?''
Madam" said /, whirling upon her
"let me, at least, alone. am too
small game for you. l am but mes.
senger. Time passes. Let us arrive
at our business"
What would you do if refused to
60 with you?" she asked, still smiling
at me. But saw that her attitude to-
ward me held no more than that of a
bird of prey and some little creature
well within its power. 1t made me
angry to be 80 rated.
"You ask me what l should do?"
retorted savagely. Il shall tell you
first what l will do if you continue
your refusal. will take you with me
and so keep my engagement with my
chief. Keep away from the bell rope!
Remain silent! Do not move! You
should go If l had to carry you there
in a sack-because that is my er
randi"
"Oh, listen at him threaten" she
laughed still. And he despises my
poor little castle here in the side
street, where half the time l am sc
lonely! What would monsieur do il
monsieur were in my place-and if
were in monsieur's place? But, bah
you would not have me following you
in the first hour we met, boy!"
l flushed again holly at this last
word. Madam may discontinue the
thought of my boyhood; I am Older
than she. But If you ask me what
would do with a woman If follow ed
her, or if she followed me, then l will
tell you. If I owned this place and al
in it, would tear down every picture
from these walls, every silken cover
from yonder couches! l would rip
out these walls and put back the ones
that once were here! A house of logs
far out in the countries that l know
would do for you, madam" went or
holly. you should forget the touch
of silk and lace. No neighbor you
should know until l was willing. Any
man who followed you should NEE,
met
Excellent! What them"
Then, madam the baroness.
would in turn build you a palace, one
of logs, and would make you a most
excellent couch of the husks of corn
You should cook at my fireplace, and
for mel"
She smiled slowly past me, at me-
Pray be seated" she said. You in
terest me-"
1T is late" l reiterated. Come!
Must i do some of these things-force