The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-07-07
CHAPTER XXI.
Pakenham's Price.

Pakenham's Price.
The happiest women. like nations, have
no history.-George Eliot.
The apartment into which l hur-
riedly stepped l found to be long
and narrow hall, heavily draped. A
door or so made off on the right-hand
side, and closed door also appeared
at the farther end; but none invited
me to enter, and l did not care to in
trude. This situation did not please
me, because l must perforce hear all
that went on in the rooms which l
had just left. l heard the thick voice
of man, apparently none the better
for wine.
my DEAR" it began. q" Some
gesture must have warned him.
God bless my soul" ne began
again. "Who is here, then? What is
! wrong?"
"My father is here today" heard
her clear voice answer, "and, as you
suggest, it might perhaps be better
God bless my soul" he repeated.
But, my dear, then l must go! To
| night, then! Where is that other key?
1t would never do, you know"
"No, Sir Richard, it would never
do. Go, them" spoke in low and
icy voice, hers, yet not hers. "Nasten!"
heard her half whisper. 81 think
perhaps my father"
But it was my own footsteps they
heard. This was something to which
could not be party. Yet, rapidly
as l walked, her visitor was before
me. l caught sight only of his portly
back, as the street door closed behind
him. She stood, her back against
the door, her hand spread out against
the wall, as though to keep me from
passing.
l paused and looked at her, held by
the horror in her eyes. She made no
concealment, offered no apologies, and
showed no shame. l repeat that it
was only horror and sadness mingled
which l saw on her face.
Madam" 1 began. And again,
madam and then l turned away.
"You see," she said, signing.
Eyes, | fear | see; but | wish l did
not Can l not-may l not be mis-
taken?"
mo, it is true. There is no mis-
take"
what have you done? Why, why?"
did you not always credit me with
being the good friend of Mr.. Paken-
ham years ago-did not all the city?
Well, then | was not; but l am, now!
was England's agent only-until last
night. Monsieur, you have come too
soon, too late, too late All, my God!
my God, Last night l gave at last
that consent. He comes now to claim,
to exact, to take-possession- me
All, my Cod"
81 cannot, of course, understand
you madam. What is it? Tell me-"
"For three years Englands ministe-
besought me to be his, not England's
property. 1t was not true, what tn
town thought 1t was not true in t. G
case either of Yturrio. Intrigue-ve
Il loved it. l intrigued with Eng
land and Mexico both, because it was
No matter what / once was in Eu-
rope, I was not here-not, as l said,
until last night All, monsieur! All,
monsieur!" Now her hands were
beating together
But why then? Why then? What
DO you mean?" l demanded.
Because no other way sufficed. All
this winter, here, alone, l have planned
and thought about other means. Moth
ing would do. There was but the one
way. Now you see why l did not go
to Mr.. Calhoun, why l. kept my pres
ence here a secret"
But you saw Elizabeth"
Eyes, long ago. My friend, you have
won! You both have won, and have
lost. She loves you, and is worthy of
you. You are worthy of each other,
yes. saw had lost; and l told you
/ would give you her-and Oregon!
Well, then, that last was-hard." She
choked. THAT was-hard to do" She
almost sobbed. "But have-paid!
Heart and soul and body {.
I have (. paid! Now, he
comes for the price!"
But then-but them" 1 expostu-
lated. What does this mean, that
see here? There was no need for
this. Had you no friends among us?
Why, though it means war, I myself
tonight would choke that beast Paken-
ham with my own hands,"
mo, you will not"
But did not hear him say there
was key-his key-to-night?
Eyes, England once owned that key.
Now, he does. Yes, it is true. Since
yesterday. Now, he comes :"
But, madam-ah, how could you so
disappoint my belief in you?"
"Because"-she smiled bitterly-''in
all great causes there are sacrifices"
"But no cause could warrant this"
II was judge of that" was her re-
Spouse. 81 saw her-Elizabeth-th
girl Then / saw what the future -es.--