Barbour County index., 1910-12-07

INC AAAASC VI lie SdlIu COuHlefpdu0
found box of boots, slippers, all man.
ner of footwear, daintily and neatly
arranged. Taking out a pair to my
fancy. l carried them out and knelt
before her.
Then. madam" said 1, since you
insist on this. shall choose America
is not Europe. Our feet here have
rougher going and must be shod for
it. Allow me-"
Without the least hesitation in the
world, or the least immodesty, she half
protruded the foot which still retained
its slipper. AS l removed this latter,
through some gay impulse, whose ma
ture l did not pause to analyze, l half
mechanically thrust it into the side
pocket of my coat
This shall be security" said l.
shall be the truth, the whole truth.
and nothing but the truth
There was curious deeper red in
her cheek. / saw her bosom beat the
faster rhythm.
Quite agreed" she answered. But
she motioned me away, taking the
stout boot in her own hand and turn
ing aside as she fastened it. She
looked over her shoulder at me now
and again while thus engaged
Tell me-" she said gently, what
security do l have? You come, by
my invitation, it is true, but none the
less an intrusion, into my apartments.
You demand of me something which
no man has a right to demand Be-
cause l am disposed to be gracious,
and because l am disposed to be en-
nuye, and because Mr.. Pakenham Is
fat, I am willing to take into consid-
GRAFTON what you ask. 1 have never
seen thin gentleman in a woolen
nightcap. and 1 am curious. But no
gentleman plays games with lady in
which the dice are loaded for himself.
Come, what security shall have?"
I did not pretend to understand her.
Perhaps, after all, we all had been
misinformed regarding her? / could
not tell. But her spirit of camaraderie,
her good-fellowship, her courage, quite
aside from her personal charm, had
now begun to impress me.
Madam" said 1, feeling in my
pocket; mo heather has much of this
worlds goods. All my possessions
would not furnish one of these rooms.
l cannot offer gems, as does Senor
Yturrio-but, would this be of service
until tomorrow? That will leave
him and me with slipper each. 1t is
with reluctance pledge to return
mine!"
By chance 1 had felt in my pocket
a little object which / had placed
there that very day for quite another
purpose. 1t was only little trinket
of Indian manufacture, which l had
intended to give Elizabeth that very
evening; sort of cloak clasp, orig
inally made as an Indian blanket
fastening, with two round discs ground
out of shells and connected by beaded
thongs. The trinket was curious.
though of small value The baroness
looked at it with interest.
How it reminds me of this heather
country" she said. "Is this all that
your art can do in jewelry? Yet it is
beautiful. Come, will you not give it
to me?"
Until tomorrow, madam"
mo longer?"
81 cannot promise it longer. must
unfortunately, have it back when 1
send 4 messenger-I shall hardly come
myself, madam"
"Ah!" she scoffed. Then it belongs
to another woman?"
Eyes, it is promised to another"
Then this is to be the last time we
meet?" i
Il do not doubt it."
Are you not sorry?"
Naturally, madam!"
She sighed, laughing as she did SO.
| Yet l could not evade seeing the
curious color on her cheek, the rise
and fall of the laces over her bosom.
| Utterly self-possessed, satisfied with
life as it had come to her, without IL
lusion as to life, absorbed in the great
game of living and adventuring-s
! should have described her. Then why
should her heart beat one stroke faster
now? l dismissed that question, and
rebuked my eyes, which l found CON
| tinually turning toward her.
She motioned to a little table near
by. Put the slipper there" she said
Your little neck clasp, also" Again
l obeyed her.
stand there!" she said, motionina
to the opposite side of the table; and
l did So Now" said she, looking al
me gravely, 81 am going with you to
see this man whom you call your
chief. The favor may mean as much
on one side as on the other-I shall
not tell you why. But we shall play
fair until, as you say. perhaps to-mor
row. After that"
CTO BE CONTINUED