Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-12-15

Without the least hesitation In the
world. or the least immodesty. she hair
prorruded the foot which still retained
Its slipper As ! removed this latter.
through some gay impulse. whose ma
ture did not pause to analyze. ! half
mechanically thrust Il into the side
pocket OF my coat ~
This shall be security" said 1.
that what you speak with my master
shall be the truth. the whole truth.
and nothing but the truth
There was a curious deeper red 10
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 II She
looked over her shoulder at me now
and again while thus engaged
Tell me- she said gently. what
security do I have? You come oy
my invitation, II Is true. but none the
less an intrusion. into my apartments
You demand of me something whrn
cause I am disposed to be gracious,
and because I am disposed to be IN
nuye. and because Mr. Pakenham 10
fat, | am willing to take into consid'
Grafton what you ask have never
seen thin gentleman In a wOolrn
nightcap. and I am curious But no
gentleman plays games with Iady IN
which the dice are loaded Tor himself
Come. what security shall nave?
| did not pretend to understand ner
Perhaps. after all. we all had been
misinformed regarding herr could
not tell But her spirit OF camaraderle
her good-fellowship. her courage quite
aside from her personal charm. had
now begun to impress me
Madam" said |. feeling In my
pocket: mo heather has much OF this
worlds goods Az my possessions
would not furnish one Of these rooms
| cannot offer gems. as does Sen"r
Yturrio-but. would this be OF service
until tomorrow? That will leave
him and me with a slipper each. II ~
with reluctance pledge to return
nine!'
by chance had felt in my pocket
little object which | had placed
there that very day TOR quite another
purpose II was only a little trinkel
of indian manufacture which I mao
intended to give Elizabeth that very
evening: sort of cloak clasp, orig
inally made as an indian blanke'
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 II reminds me OF this heather
country" she said is this all that
your art can do in jewelry? Yet II Is
beautiful Come. will you not give II
to me?"
Until tomorrow. madam.
mo ionger?"
l. Il cannot promise II longer. ! must,
unfortunately have II back when
send a messenger-I shall hardly come
myself. madam .... . ...-.. w.. ....- .-
Ali" she -scoffed "Then y belongs
to another woman"
Yes. II Ia promised to another"
Then this is to be the last time we
meetT
Il do not doubt It."
Are you not sorry?
Naturally. madam"
She sighed. laughing as she did 50
Yet could not evade' seeing the
curious color on her cheek. the rise
and fall of the laces over her bosom
Utterly seif.possessed satisfied with
life as II had come to her. withouI u
fusion as to life, absorbed IN the great
game of living and adventurIng-so !
should have described her. Then whV
should her heart beat one stroke faster
now? | dismissed that question. and
rebuked my eyes. which ! found cob
tinually turning toward her
She motioned to little table near
by Put the slipper there she said
Your little neck clasp. also" Aga. o
l obeyed her .' ..
Stand there!" she said. motioning
to the opposite side Of the table: ana
| did SO Now said she. looking al
me gravely. = am going with you !"
| see this man whom you call You
chief The favor may mean as mucn
on one side as on the other sha
not tell you why But we shall pla'
fair until. as you say. perhaps to-nio'
row. After that" ..'
CTo BE CONTINUEDJ