The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-05-05


though to take the step; then, as luck
would have it, bit of her loose
drapery, which was made in the wide
skirted and much-hooped fashion of
the time, caught at the hinge of the
carriage door, 1t was chance glance.
and not intent on my part, but saw
that her other foot was stockinged,
but not shod!
81 beg madam's pardon" l said
gravely, looking aside, "but she has
perhaps not noticed that her other
slipper is lost in the carriage
"Nonsen se!" she said ALLOW me
your hand across to the walk, please
1t is lost, yes"
But lost-where?" l began.
I'm the other carriage,'' she ex.
claimed, and laughed freely.
Half hopping, she was across the
walk, through the narrow gate, and
up at the door before | could either
offer an arm or ask for an explana-
ton. Some within, however, seized
her; some feeling that in fairness she
ought to tell me now part at least
the reason for her summoning me to
her aid.
Sir" she said, even as her hand
reached up to the door knocker; 81
admit you have acted as gentleman
should. / do not know what your
message may be, but doubt not it is
meant for me. Since you have this
much claim on my hospitality, even
at this hour, think I must ask you
to step within. There may be some
answer needed"
Madam" said I, there is an an
swer needed. / am to take back that
answer. l know that this message is
TO the Baroness Won Ritz. l guess it
to be important; and / know you are
the Baroness Won Ritz"
"Well, then" said she, pulling
about her half-clad shoulders the
light wrap she wore; '1et me be as
free with you. If l have missed one
shoe. ! have not lost it wholly. l lost
the slipper in way not quite planned
on the program. 1t hurt my foot. l
sought to adjust it behind curtain.
My gentleman of Mexico was in wine.
l fled, leaving my escort, and he fol-
lowed. called to you. You know the
rest. am glad you are less in wine,
and are more a gentleman"
Il do not yet know my answer,
madam"
"Come!" she said; and At once
knocked upon the door.
l shall not soon forget the surprise
which awaited me when at last the
door swung open suddenly at the hand
of wrinkled and brown old serving
woman-not one of our colored wom-
en-, but of some dark foreign race.
The faintest trace of surprise showed
on the old woman's face, but she
stepped back and swung the door
wide, standing submissively, waiting
for orders.
We stood now facing what ought to
have been a narrow and dingy little
room in low row of dingy buildings,
each of two stories and so shallow in
extent as perhaps not to offer space
to more than q half dozen rooms. In
stead of what should have been, how
ever. there was a wide hall-wide as
each building would have been from
front to back, but longer than a half
dozen of them would have been!
did not know then, what l learned
later, that the partitions throughout
this entire row had been removed, the
material serving to fill up one Of the
houses at the farthest extremity of
the row. There was thus offered a
long and narrow room, or series Of
rooms, which now l. saw beyond pos
sibility of doubt constituted the resi-
dence of this strange woman whom
chance had sent me to address; and
whom still stranger chance had thrown
in contact with me even before my err
rand was begun!
She stood locking at me, a smile
fitting over her features, her stock
inged foot extended, toe down, serving
to balance her on her high-heeled sim
gle shoe.
Pardon, SIR" she said, hesitating,
as she held the sealed epistle in her
hand. You know me-perhaps you
follow mel do not know. Tell me,
are you spy of that man Paken-
ham,"
Her words and her tone startled
me. l had supposed her bound to Sir
Richard by ties of certain sort. Her
bluntness and independence puzzled
me as much as her splendid beauty
enraptured me. l tried to forget both.
Madam, l am spy of no man, unless
l am such at order of my. chief, John
Calhoun of the United States senate
perhaps, if madam pleases, soon of
Mr.. Tyler's cabinet"
In answer, she turned, hobbled to a
tiny marquetry table, and tossed the
note down upon it, unopened. waited
patiently, looking about me meantime
l discovered that the windows were
barred with narrow Stats of iron with
in, although covered with heavy dra-
peries of amber silk. There was a dou-
bic sheet Of iron covering the door by
which we had entered.
Your cage, madam" inquired.
Il do not blame England for making
it so secret and strong! If so lovely
prisoner were mine, l should double
the bars
The swift answer to my presumption