The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-05-05
CHAPTER v.
One Of the Women in the Case.

One Of the Women in the Case.
There is a woman at the beginning OF
all great hings.-Lamartine.
A quarter of an hour later, we
slowed down on rough brick pave
ment, which led toward what then
was an outlying portion of the town
one not precisely shabby, but by no
means fashionable. There was a sin
gle lamp stationed at the mouth OF the
narrow little street AS we advanced,
! could see outlined upon our right,
just beyond a narrow pavement of
brick a low and not more than semi
respectable house, or rather, row of
houses; tenements for the middle class
or poor, | might have said. The neigh
borhood, | knew from my acquaintance
with the city, was respectable enough,
yet it was remote, and occupied by
none Of any station Certainly 1t was
not to be considered fit residence for
a woman such as this who sat beside
me. admit I was puzzled
This will do" she said softly, at
length. The driver already had
pulled up.
So, then, thought, she had been
here before. But why? Could this
indeed be her residence? Was this
indeed the covert embassy of Eng
land?
There was no escape from the situ-
alton as II lay before me. had no
time to ponder. My duty was here.
This was my message; here was she
for whom. it was intended; and this
was the place which ! was to have
sought alone. needed only to re-
member that my business was not
with Helena Won Ritz the woman,
beautiful, fascinating. perhaps danger
GUS as they said Of her, but with the
Baroness Won Ritz, in the belief Of my
chief the ally and something more
than ally of Pakenham, in charge of
England's fortunes on this continent.
I descended at the edge of the mar
her out at the step, but as | glanced
down | saw that the rain had left a
puddle of mud between the carriage
and the walk.
Pardon, madam" I said; "allow
me to make light for you-the foot
ing 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, and
extended her left foot. | family saw
proof that nature had carried out her
scheme of symmetry, and had not al
lowed wrist and arm to forsweal
themselves! saw also that this foot
was clad in the daintiest of white slip
pers, suitable enough as part of hel
ball costume, as | doubted not was
this she wore. She took my hant
without hesitation, and rested hel
weight upon the step-an adorable
ankle now more frankly revealed. The
briefness of the lucifers was mercifu
or merciless. as you like.
"a wide step, madam be careful,
7 suggested. But still she hesitated.
A laugh, half of annoyance, half o
amusement, broke from her lips. Al
the light fickered down, she made al
though to take the step; then, as lucl
would have It, a bit Of her loos'
drapery which was made In the wide
skirted and much-hooped fashion o
the time, caught at the hinge of th'
carriage door. 1t was chance glance
and not intent on my part, but say
that her other foot was stockinged
but not shod
Il beg madam's pardon" | sait
grayely, looking aside. but she ha
perhaps not noticed that her othe
slipper is lost in the carriage
"Nonsensei" she said. ALLOW m
your hand across to the walk, please
: 1t is lost, yes
"But lost-where? began.
On the other carriage" she e,
claimed. and laughed freely.
Half hopping. she was across tn
walk. through the narrow gate, an
up at the door before could eithe
offer an arm or ask for an explains
ton. Some whim, however seize
her: some feeling that in fairness sh
ought to tell me now part at least
the reason for her summoning me
her aid.
Sir" she said, even as her har
reached UP to the door knocker;
admit you have acted as a gentlems
should do not know what so'
message may be, but I doubt not II
meant for me. Since you have tn
much claim on my hospitality ey'