The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-07-14
;. Madam you meant"

F, boigbty-toighty? Haven't I stood
| flouts and indignities enough from
| Won? Didn't you make a show of me
before that ass, Tyler, when / was at
the very point of my greatest coup?
You denied knowledge that l knew
YOU had. But cid l discard you for
that? l have found you since then
playing with Mexico, Texas, United
States all at once? Have l punished
you for that? No; l have only shown
you the more regard"
"My lord, you punish me most when
! you most show me your regard"
well, God bless my soul, listen at
that! Listen at that-here, now, when
Tve-madam, you shock me, you
grieve me. I-could have glass OF
! wine?"
l heard her ring for Threlka, heard
her fasten the door behind her as she
left, heard him gulp over his glass.
For myself, although l did not yet dis
close myself, | felt no doubt that 1
should kill Pakenham in these rooms.
I even pondered whether I should
shoot him through the temple and cut
off his consciousness, or through the
chest and so let him know why he
died.
After a time he seemed to look
about the room, his eye falling upon
the Uttered floor.
"My key" he exclaimed; broken!
Who did that? l can't use it now!"
you will not need to use it, my
lord"
But I bought it, yesterday! Had 1
given you all of the Oregon country
1t would not have been worth 100000.
What I'll have to-night-what III take
will be worth twice that. But l
bought that key, and what 1 buy I
keep"
l heard a struggle, but she repulsed
him once more in some way. Still
my time had not come. He seemed
now to stoop, granting, to pick up
something from the floor.
How now? My memorandum of
treaty, and torn in two! Oh, see
l see," he unused. You wish to give
it back to me-to be wholly free! 1t
means only that you wish to love me
for myself, for what l am! You mink"
You mistake, my lord" said her
calm, cold voice.
"At least, twas no mistake that
offered you this damned country at
risk of my own head. Are you then
with England and Sir Richard Paken-
ham? Will you give my family a
chance for revenge on these accursed
heathen-these Americans? Come, do
that, and l leave this place with you,
and quit diplomacy for good. Well
travel the continent, we'll go the world
over, you and 1. I'll quit my estates,
my family for you. Come, now, why
do you delay?"
"Still you misunderstood, my lord"
Tell me then what you do mean"
Our old bargain over this is bro
ken, my lord. We must make an
other"
His anger rose. what? You want
more? You're trying to lead me on
with your damned courtezan tricks"
| heard her voice rise high and
shrill, even as l started forward.
Monsieur" she cried, back with
you!'
Pakenham, angered as he was,
seemed half to hear my footsteps,
semed half to know the swinging of
the draperies, even as stepped back
in obedience to her gesture. Her wit
was as quick as ever.
my lord" she said, pray close
yonder window. The draft is bad,
I and, moreover, we should have Sc
crecy." He obeyed her, and she led
him still further from the thought of
investigating his surroundings.
Now, my lord,' she said, take
back what you have just said!"
Under ponalty?" he sneered.
"Of your life, yes"
"So!" he grunted admiringly; well,
now, like fire in woman, even a
deceiving light-o'love like you!"
Monsieur" her voice cried again;
and once more it restrained me in my
hiding.
You DEVIL" he resumed, sneering
now in all his ugliness of wine and
rage of disappointment. What were
you? Mistress of the prince of
France! Toy of a score of mobiles!
Slave of that Infamous rake, your
husband! Much you've got in your
life to make you uppish now with
mel"
my lord" she said evenly, "retract
that. If you do not, you shall not
leave this place alive"
In some way she mastered him,
even in his ugly mood
We'll, WELL" he growled, 81 admit
we don't get on very well in our little
love affair; but | swear you drive me
out of my mind. I'll never find anoth-
er woman in the world like you. It's
Sir Richard Pakenham asks you to be-
gin a new future with himself"
1--WE begin no future, my lord"
What do you mean? Have you lied
to me? Do you mean to break your
wcrd-your promise?"
ut is within the hour that 1 have
learned what the truth is"
God damn my soul" / heard his
curse, growing.
"Yes, my lord" she answered, God
will damn your soul in so far as it is
that of brute and not that of a gen.
or cfo m