The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-22

whom you can say so much?"
"Ah, now you would try to tempt
me from a trust which has been
reposed in me-"
|. mot in the least. l would not
have you break your word. with
Mr.. Pakenham; but 1 know you
are here on the same errand as
myself. You are to learn facts and
report them to Mr.. Pakenham--as
l am to Mr.. Calhoun. Meantime,
you have not reported?"
mo, l am not yet ready"
Certainly not. You are not vet
possessed of your facts. You have
not yet seen this country. You do
not yet know these men-the same
savages who once accounted for
another Pakenham at New Orleans
hardy as buffaloes, fierce as
wolves. Wait and see them come
pouring across the mountains into
Oregon. Then make your report
! to this Pakenham. Ask him If Eng
land wishes to fight our backwoods-
men once more!"
"You credit me with very much
ability" she smiled.
She dropped into a chair near by
a little table, where the light of the
tall candles, guttering in their
enameled sconces, fell full upon her
face. She looked at me fixedly
her eyes dark and mournful in spite
Of their eagerness.
"Ah, it is easy for you to speak
easy for you who have so rich and
full a life-who have all! But L
my hands are EMPTY" She spread
out her curved fingers, looking al
them, dropping her hands, pathetic
ally dropping her shoulders.
"All, Madam? What do you mean
You see me almost in rags. Beyond
the rifle of my cabin, the pistol a,
my tent, | have scarce more in
wealth than what | wear, while you
have what you like"
"All but everything! she muir
INJURED; "all but home4'
Nor have I a home"
All. except that my couch is
empty save for myself and my
memories."
mot more than mine. nor with
sadder memories, Madam"
why, what do you mean?" she
asked me suddenly. What do you
mean?' She repeated it again, as
though half in horror.
only that we are equal and
alike. That we are here on the
same errand. That our view of life
! should be the same"
What do you mean about home
But tell me, We're you not then
married."
mo, am alone Madam l never
shall be married"
There may have been some
slight motion of hand which beck
oned me to seat at the opposite
| side of the table. AS | sat, / saw
her search my face carefully, slow
ly, with eyes | could not read. AT
last she spoke, after her frequent
fashion, half to herself.
ut succeeded them" said she
yet | am not happy! Yet I have
failed"
81 pause Madam" said l smiling
Il await your pleasure"
"Ah. God! All, Cod" she sighed
What have done?" She staggered
to her feet and stood beating her
hands together, as was her way
when perturbed. What have
done!'
"Threlka." I heard her call, half
chOkingly. The old servant came
hurriedly.
Wine. tea, anything, Threlka,"
She dropped down again opposite
me, painting. and looking at me with
wide eyes.
"Tell me, do you know what you
have said?" she began.
well. then. you are noble; when
| look, what pain | have caused you!
Yet not more than myself No, not
so much. hope not so much!"
Truly there is thought which
passes from mind to mind. Sud
denly the thing in her mind sped
across to mine. looked at her sud
denly. in my eyes also, perhaps, the
horror which felt.
at was you!" I exclaimed. at
was you! All. now | begin to under
stand. How could you? You part
ed us, You parted me from Elisa
BETH"