Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-08
CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER V.
One of the Women In the Case.
There is a woman at the beginning
of all great thines.-Lamartine.
A quarter of an hour later we slowed
down on a rough brick pavement
which led toward what then was ar
outlying portion of the town-one moi
precisely shabby, but by no means
| fashionable. There was single lamp
stationed at the mouth of the narrow
little street. AS we advanced, l coult
see outlined upon our right, just be-
| yond a narrow pavement of brick, q
| low and not more than semi-respecta-
BILE house, or rather, row of houses;
tenements for the middle class or poor
/ might have said. The neighborhood
| knew from my acquaintance with the
city, was respectable enough, yet II
was remote, and occupied by none OF
any station. Certainly it was not tc
be considered fit residence for a wo-
| man such as this who sat beside me
| | admit l was puzzled.
This will do," said she softly, al
length. Tine driver already had pulled
up.
So, then l thought, she had beer
here before But why? Could this in
deed be her residence? Was she in
cognita here? Was this indeed the CO.
vert embassy of England?
There was no escape from the situa-
tion as it lay before me. l had no time
to ponder. My duty was here. This
was my message; here was she fol
whom it was intended; and this was
the place which | was to have sought
| alone l needed only to remember that
my business was not with Helena Won
| Ritz the woman, beautiful, fascinating
perhaps dangerous as they said of her
| but with the Baroness Won Ritz, i'm the
| belief of my chief the ally and some
thing more than ally of Pakenham, in
charge of England's fortunes on this
| continent.
l descended at the edge of the mar
row pavement, and was about to hanC
her out at the step, but as | glanced
down l saw that the rain had left q
puddle of mud between the carriage
| and the walk.
| Pardon, madam" | said: ALLOW me
to make light for y0u-the footing is
bad"
| / 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, anC
extended her left foot. ! family saw
proof that nature had carried out hei
scheme OF symmetry, and had not al
lowed wrist and arm to forswear them.
selves! ! saw also that this foot was
| clad in the daintiest of white slippers
suitable enough as part of her ball cos
tune as | doubted not was this she
wore. She took my hand without hesi-
| tation, and rested her weight upon the
step-an adorable ankle now more
frankly revealed. The briefness of the
lucifers was mcrciful or merciless, a:
you like.
"A wide step, madam; be careful.
suggested. But still she hesitated.
| A laugh, half of annoyance, half o
amusement, broke from her lips. A:
the light nickered down, she made a!
though to take the step: then. as lucl
would have it, Il bit Of her loose drap.
| 10 ~, hn do
skirted and much-hoOped fashion o
the time, caught at the hinge of the
carriage door. 1t was Il chance glance
and not intent on my part, but | saw
that her other foot was stockingcd, bu
not shOd.
Il beg madams pardon" sale
gravely, looking aside. but she ha:
perhaps not noticed that her other slip
per is lost in the carriage"
"Nonsense." she said "Allow nl'
your hand across to the walk, please
1t is lost yes"
But lost-where?" | began.
In the other carriage" she eX
claimed, and laughed freely.
Half hopping, she was across th'
walk through the narrow gate, and VI
at the door before | could either offe'
an arm or ask for an explanation
Some whim. however, seized her; some
feeling that in fairness she ought t'
tell me now part at least Of the reaSor
for her summoning me to her aid.
Sir" she said. even as her hant
reached up to the door knocker; Il adj
nit you have acted as Il gentleman
should. | do not know what your mes
sage may be. bat | doubt not it i!
meant for me. Since You have this
much claim on my hospitality. even Il
this hour. | think | must ask y"u t
step within. There may be som" an
swer needed"
Madam" said |, there is an an
swer needed. am to take back tha
answer. | know that this message l.
to the Baroness Won Ritz. | guess i
to be- important: and know YOU ar'
the Baroness Won Ritz
Well them" said she. pulling abou
her half-barcd shoulders the ligh
wrap she wore: "let me- BE- as fire." will
you If | have missed one shoe.
have not lost it wholly. | lost tn
slipper in a way not quit" planned
ON the program. 1t hurt my foot.
Z, Ill, t,,1 in