Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-05-04
CHAPTER xxxIv.-continued.

Pale and calm, she reappeared at
the parted draperies. lifted the
butts of my two derringers into view
at my side pockets. and at glance
from her. hurriedly stepped into the
oppc site roo.a. ...s.er a time l heard
her oPaa the door in response to
second knock.
could not see her from my station,
but the very silence gave me pic
ture of her standing. pale. forbid
ding, rebuking the first rude exclama-
ton of his ardor.
Come now. is he gone? Is the place
safe at last?" he demanded.
Enter. my lord" she said. simply.
This is the hour you said." he be-
gan; and she answered:
my lord. 1t is the hour"
But come. what is the matter.
then? You act solemn, as though this
were funeral. and not-just KISS"
Il heard him add.
He must have advanced toward her
Continually l was upon the point Of
stepping out from my concealment.
but as continually she left that not
quite possible by some word or look
or gesture of her own with him.
"Oh, hang it!" heard him
lgrumble. at length; how can one tell
what q woman1i dof Damn It.
lHelen!"
Madam you meant"
well, then. madam, why all this
Ihoighty-toighty? Haven't stood
fiouts and indignities enough from
your Didn't you make show of me
before that ass. Tyler. when was at
the very point Of my greatest coupf
You denied knowledge that l knew
lyou had. But did discard you for
that? l have found you since then
playing with Mexico. Texas. United
States all at once? Have punished
you for thatf No; have only shown
Iyou the more regard"
my lord, you punish me most when
lyou most show me your regard"
well. God bless my soul, listen at
that! Listen at that-here, now. when
fve-madam. you shock me. you
grieve me. I-could have q glass Of
wfne?"
heard her ring for Threlka, heard
her fasten the door behind her as she
left. heard him gulp over his glass.
For myself. although I did not yet dis
close myself. ! felt no doubt that |
should kill Pakenham In these rooms.
] even pondered whether should
shoot him through the temple and cut
OF his consciousness. or through the
chest and SO let him know why he
died.
After 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 1t nowi"
you will not need to use it. my
lord"
"But bought 1t, yesterday! Had |
given you all Of the Oregon country
It would not have been worth EGO. 900.
What I'll have to-night-what I'll take
will be worth twice that. But |
bought that key. and what buy |
keep"
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
] see." he unused. you wish to give
II back to me--to be wholly free! II
means only that you wish to love me
for myself. for what am! You minx!"
"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.
hamf Will you give my family a
chance for revenge on these accused
heathen-these Americans? Come, do
that. and leave this place with you,
and quit diplomacy for good. Wen
travel the continent. we'li go the world
over. you and l. I'll quit my estates,
my family for you. Come. now. why
do you delayr'
"Still you misunderstand. 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
moref You're trying to lead me on
with your damned courtezan tricks!"
heard her voice rise high and
slhrill. even as I started forward ~