The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-25

nave no h1StOry.-GeOrge Eliot.
The apartment into which hur-
riedly stepped found to be long
and narrow hall, heavily draped. A
door or so made off on the right
hand side, and a closed door also
appeared at the farther end; but
none invited me to enter, and l did
not care to intrude. This situation
did not please me, because l must
perforce hear all that went on in
the rooms which had just left. I
heard the thick voice of man, ap-
parently none the better for wine.
"My dear" it began, q" Some
gesture must have warned him.
God bless my soul" he began
again. who is here, then? What
is wrong?"
"My father is here today"
heard her clear voice answer, land.
as you suggest. 1t might perhaps
be better"
God bless my SOUL" he repeat
ed But, my dear, then, must go!
Tonight, then! Where is that other
other key? It would never do, you
know"
mo, Sir Richard, it would never
do. Go, them" spoke in low and
icy voice, hers, not yet hers.
Hasten!" l heard her 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 | walked, her visitor was before
me. / caught sight only of his
pOrtly back, as the street door clos
ed behind him. She stood, her back
against the door, her hand spread
out against the wall, as though to
keep me from passing.
| paused and looked at her, held
by the horror in her eyes. She made
no concealment, offered no apollo
gies, and showed no shame. | re-
sadness mingled which l saw upon
her face.
Madam" | began. And again.
Madam" and then l turned away
You see," she said, signing.
Eyes, | fear | see; but l wish
did not Can l not-may l not be
mistaken"
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..
Pakenham years ago-did not all
the city? Well. then l was not:
but l am, now! l was England's
agent only-until last night. Mon
sieur, you have come too soon. too
late, too late. All my God! my
God! Last night gave at last that
consent. He comes now to claim,
to exact, to take-possession-of
me All, my Cod"
81 can not, Of course, understand
you, madam. What is it? Tell me-"
For three years England's min
lister besought me to be his, not
England's property. 1t was not
true, what the town thought. 1t
was not true in the case either OF
Yturrio. ntrigue-yes-l loved 1t.
intrigued with England and Mex
leo both, because it was in my
nature; but no more than that. No
matter what | once was in Europe,
was not here-not, as | said, until
last night. All. monsieur! All. mon
sieur!" Now her hands were beat
ing together.
But why then? Why then? What
do you mean?" l demanded.
Because no other way sufficed.
All this winter. here, alone, | have
planned and thought about other
means. Nothing would do. There
was but the one way. Now you
see why | did not so to Mr.. Cal
houn. why kept my presence here
a secret"
But you saw Elisabeth"
Yes, 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. l saw
had lost; and l told you | would
pay my wager. told you l would
give you her-and Oregon! Well,
then, that last was-hard.' She
choked. THAT was-hard to do"
She almost sobbed. But | have