The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-05

A quarter of an hour later we
slowed down on a rough brick
pavement, which led toward what
then was an outlying portion of the
town-one not precisely shabby,
but by no means fashionable. There
was single lamp stationed at the
mouth of the narrow street. AS
We advanced, I could see outlined
upon our right, just beyond q mar
row pavement of brick, a low and
not more than semi-respectable
house, or rather, row of houses;
tenements for the middle class or
poor, might have said. The neigh
borhood, l knew from my &C
quaintance with the city, was re-
spectacle enough, yet it was re-
mote, and occupied by none of any
station. Certainly it was not to
be considered fit residence for a
woman such as this who sat beside
me-. I admit / was puzzled.
This will do" said she softly,
at length. The driver already had
pulled up.
So, then, I thought she had been
here before. But why? Could this
indeed be her residence? Was she
incognita here? Was this indeed
the covert embassy of England?
There was no escape from the
situation as it lay before me. had
no time to ponder. My duty was
here. This was my message; here
was she for whom it was intended:
and this was the place which
was to have sought alone. l need
ed only to remember that my busl-
ness was not with Helena Won Ritz
the woman, beautiful, fascinating.
perhaps dangerous as they said of
her, but with the Baroness Won
Ritz, in the belief of my chief the
ally and something more than ally
of Pakenham, in charge of Eng
lands fortunes on this continent.
I descended at the edge of the
narrow pavement, and was about
to hand her out at the step, but
as | glanced down l saw that the
rain had left puddle of mud be-
tween the carriage and the walk.
Pardon. Madam" said; "allow
me to make light for you-the
footing is bad
l lighted another lucifer. just as
she hesitated at the step. She made
as though to put out her right foot,
and withdrew it. Again she shifted,
and extended her left foot. family
saw proof that nature had carried
out her scheme of symmetry, and
had not allowed wrist and arm to
forswear themselves! | saw also
that this foot was clad in the daint-
lest of white slippers, suitable
enough as part of her ball costume,
as | doubted not was this she wore.
She took my hand without hesita-
ton, and rested her weight upon the
step-an adorable ankle now more
frankly revealed. The briefness Of
the lucifers was merciful or merci-
less, as you like.
"A wide step. Madam; be care
full" suggested. But still she hes
itated.
% A laugh, half of annoyance. half
of amusement. broke from her lips.
AS the light flickered down, she
made as though to take the step;
then, as luck would have it, bit OF
her loose drapery. which was made
in the wide-skirted and much-hOop-
ed fashion of the time, caught at the
hinge of the carriage door. 1t was
a chance glance, and not intent on
my part. but | saw that her other
foot was stockinged, but not shod!
Il beg Madam's pardon" l said
grapely, looking aside, but she has
perhaps not noticed that her other
slipper is lost in the carriage
Nonsense" she said. ALLOW me
your hand across to the walk,
please. 1t is lost, yes
but where?" | began.
in the other carriage!' she eX-
claimed, and laughed freely.
CTo be continued