Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-03
81
\
CHAPTER XIV.
With Madam the Baroness.

have fought battles, given their l'Ves
and staked their souls.-Mrs. w. N
Clifford.
But, madam" began.
She answered me in her own wa!
Monsieur hesitates-he is lost. she
said. But see, | am weary. nave
been much engaged today. nave
made il nv plan never TO fatigue my
self. 1t is my hour now for my Dath
nv exercise, my bed, if you please
fear | must bid you good night one
way or the other. You Will De WEI
come here none the less, if you care u
remain. | trust you did not hnd oui
little repast tonight unpleasant? be-
lieve me, our breakfast shall be as
good. Threlka is expert in omelets
and our coffee is such as perhaps you
may not find general in these prov
inces."
Mas there the slightest mocking
sneer in her words? Did she despise
me as a faint heart? l could not TELL
but did not like the thought.
.RaIieve me- madam" l answered
hotlv. you nave courage, at least Let
me match it. Nor do l deny that TINS
asks courage on my part too. IL you
please. in these circumstances, shali
remain"
"You are armed?" she asked simply.
inserted a finger in each waistcoat
pocket and showed her the butts ol TWO
dcrringers: and at the back OF mE neck
TO her smiling amusement at our
heather fashion, displayed just the
fin of the haft of a short bowie Khle'
which went into leather case under
the collar of my coat. And again
drew around the belt which l wore SO
that she could see the barrel of good
pistol. which had been suspended uhuer
cover of the bell skirt of my coat.
She laughed. l saw that she was not
unused to weapons. | should nave
guessed her the daughter of soldier
or acquainted with arms in some way.
"Of course" she said, there might be
need Of these. although | think not
And in any case. if trouble can be de-
rerrcd until tomorrow, why concern
oneself over it? You interest me. l
begin yet more to approve Of you.
Then. as to that breakfast la FOUR
chette with madam if l remain Will
YOU agree to tell me what is your ous-
mess here?"
She laughed at me gaily Il might
she said, provided that meantime l
had learned whether or not you were
married that night
| do not profess that l read all 'i'a'
was i'm her face as she stepped back TO-
ward the satin curtains and swept me
the most graceful curtcSy | had ever
seen in all my life. l felt lik" reaching
out hand to restrain her
Then | recalled my mission: and l
remembered what Mr.. Calhoun ana
Doctor Ward had said. was not
man: | was government agent. She
was not a woman: she was my opp"-
nent. Yes. but then
Slowly ] turned to tine opposite side
of this long central room. There were
curtains here also. | drew them, Dut
rs | did so | glanced back. Again. as
on that earlier night, | saw her face
framed in the amber foldS-a race
laughing mOcking. With an eXclama-
tion of discomfort, | threw down my
heavy pistol on the floor cast my coat
across the foot of the bed to prevent
the delicate covering from being Soiled
bv my boots, and so rested without fur
thcr disrobinS.
In the opposite apartment | could
hear ner moving about, humming to
herself some air as unConcernedly as
though no such being as myself existed
i'm the world | heard her presently ac-
cost her servant. who entered through
some passagc not visibl" from the GEN.
trail apartments. They without con-
cealment there seemed to go forward
the ordinary routine of madam'S toilet
for the evening.
At last she called out To me: Mon
Sieur."
was at my own curtains at once. but
hers remained tight folded, although
heard her voice close D'nlnu lh'IlI'
"Eh bien?" answered.
1T is nothing. except l would say
that if monsieur feels especially grave
and rcvcrent. he will find very COM
Portable prie-diue at the foot of the
bed"
Il thank you," replied, sravely as
could
And there is a very excellent rosary
and crucifiX on tn" table just beyond!
Il thank you," replied, steadily as
could.
And there is an English Book of
Common Prayer upon the stand not far
from the head of the bed. upon this
side"
"A thousand thanks. my very COED
friend"
| heard smothered laugh beyond
the amber curtains. Presently she
spoke again. yawning, as l fancied
rather cOntentedly.
"A la bonnie hcure. monsieur
"A la bonne heure. madame"