Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-05-12
CHAPTER iV.--Continued.


I told her the first one that came TO
my lips-I do not remember what. |
did not deceive her for a moment.
"Of course that is not your name"
she sale; because it does not fit you.
You have me still at disadvantage"
And me, madam? You are taking
me miles out of ny way. How can
help you? Do you perhaps wish to
hunt mushrooms i'll the Georgetown
woods when morning comes? l wish
that l might join you, but | fear"
"You mock me-" she retorted. Very
good Let me tell you it was not your
personal charm which attracted me
when l saw you on the pavement!
Twas because you were the only man
in sight"
I bowed my thanks. For a moment
nothing was heard save the steady
ratter OF hoofs On the ragged pave
ment At length she went on.
Il am alone / have been followed.
l was followed when l called to you-
by another carriage. asked help of the
first gentleman I saw, having heard
that Americans are all gentlemen"
True" said I; Il do not blame you
Neither do I blame the occupant Of
the other carriage for following you"
Il pray you, leave aside such clat-
teri she exclaimed.
Very well, then, madam Perhaps
the best way is for us to be more
straightforward. If l cannot be of
service | beg You to let me descend,
for I have business which | must eX-
ecute tonight"
She dismissed this with an impa-
tient gesture, and continued.
See, I am alone" she said Come
with me. Show me my Way-I will
pay-I will pay anything in reason"
Actually l saw her tumble at her
purse, and the hot blood flew to my
forehead.
What you ask Of me, madam, is
impossible" said l, with what cour-
tesy I could summon. you oblige
me now to tell my real name. l have
told you that | am an American gen
tleman-Mr. Nicholas Trist We OF
this country do not offer our services
to ladies for the sake Of pay. But
do not be troubled over any mistake
it is nothing. Now, you have per-
haps had some little adventure in
which you Go not wish to be discover
ed. In any case, you ask me to shake
Off that carriage which follows us. II
that is all, madam, it very easily can
be arranged"
Hasten, then" she said. II leave
1t to you. | was sure you knew the
city"
/ turned and gazed back through
the rear window of the carriage. True,
there was another vehicle following
us. We were by this time nearly at
the end of Washington's limited pave
ments. 1t would be simple after that.
I leaned out and gave our driver some
brief orders. We led our chase across
the valley creeks on up the George
town hills, and soon as possible
abandoned the last of the pavement
and took to the turf, where the sound
of our wheels was dulled. Rapidly as
we could we passed on up the hill. our
going, which was all of earth Or soft
turf, now well wetted by the rain.
When at last we reached q point near
the summit of the hill I stopped to
listen. Hearing nothing, I told the
driver to pull down the hill by the
side street, and to drive slowly When
we finally came into our main street
again at the foot of the Georgetown
hills, not far from the little creek
which divided that settlement from
the main city, ! could hear nowhere
any sound Of our pursuer
Madam" said, turning to her, 'I
think we may safely say we are alone.
What, now, is your wish?"
"Home!" she said.
And where is hOmo?"
She looked at me keenly for a time,
as though to read some thought which
perhaps she saw suggested either in
the tone of my voice or in some
glimpse she might have caught Of my
features as light afforded. For the
moment she made no answer.
Is it here?' suddenly l asked her,
presenting to her inspection the sealed
mlssive which l bore.
l cannot see; it is quite dark she
said hurriedly.
pardon me, then" I fumbled for
my case Of lucifers, and made faint
light by which she might read. She
pursed her lips and shook her head.
! do not recognize the address,"
said she, smiling, as she turned to-
ward me.
Is it at this door on NJ street, as
you go beyond this other street," i