The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-08-31
CHAPTER xI-(Continued)

the night"
Yes" 1 admitted, fascinated by her
burning gaze, lit was l."
Why did you 10 that?"
II don't exactly know" I answered
lamely, not daring to tell the truth. Il
was passing the house and sa" a
light
"where?' she demanded. her face
contracting in q quick spasm.
I'm the window yonder,' and l heard
her deep breath Of relief. II thought
perhaps it was Miss Lawrence"
1T was l." she said, and l saw she
vas visibly forcing herself to go on.
II had been putting away some fruit
in the cellar. Your knock at that hour
startled me-"
Quite naturally" I assented. Il Won
der at myself now for knocking"
How did you happen to be passing
the house at that timer" she asked sud-
denly.
"Td been awakened by a bad dream
and found / couldn't go to sleep again.
SO decided to walk a little. l walked
in this direction, l suppose, because 1
was thinking about Miss Lawrence"
She was looking at me keenly. but
saw that / spoke the truth and again
gave a quick sigh of relief.
Miss Lawrence was not here then
I questioned, deciding to become the
inquisitor in my turn.
ooh, no; she had left several u
earlier. / was alone in the house
which rendered your knock all the more
disquieting. My sister remained with
Mrs. Lawrence last night, and she
rose to Indicate that my audience was
at an end.
I rose somewhat reluctantly. l felt
thai she could tell me so much more,
If she would. It was provoking to be
so near success, II yet not to succeed.
I'm sorry" l said, that you refuse
to tell me where Miss Lawrence has
gone. I don't believe you're acting
wisely-nor is She in running away.
She should be brave enough to stay and
a Mr.. Curtiss, He has a right
There are others who have rights"
she cried, her self control suddenly
deserving her. Their are others who
have waived their rights. and torn
their hearts, and withered in silence"
She stopped abruptly, and saw the
tremor which swept through her as she
controlled herself.
That is all" she said more calmly,
but with working face. your parrot
ike talk for Mr.. Curtiss' rights pro-
voked me-" and h moved toward the
door
1 paused for a last glance at the
portrait, and again ! was strHclS by its
LIKENESS to some one | knew.
'That is a m remarkable picture
1 said. The person who painted it
seems to have been clumsy enough.
and yet there is something vital and
bewitching about it,
There was Il signature scrawled in
one corner, and l bent closer to de-
cipher It.
tIt was painted by a cousin Of mine
said Miss Kingdom indifferentiy.
And suddenly the scrawE became in
telligible.
"T.utll Endicott,'' / read. with a
quick glow of interest.
What do you know Of her." size de
manded, looking at me sharply.
Nothing" / answered. as indiffer"
emily as could. Only, / shuui'i be
Interested to know how She G@vslorcd.
She seems to have had great talent"
That was the last picture she ever
pained," said Miss Kingdom shortly:
then her eyes famed suddenly and her
face darkened. as she stepped close TO
the portrait and stared at it. "She was
beautiful-beautiful!" she murmured
hoarsely. and l knew that Ruth f.ndi
colts last painting had been q portrait
of herself.
And yet it was scarcely a portrait
| either, for the features were barely
indicated. But, gazing ct it, one saw
q woman there--a woman real and
vitaI-and knew instinctively that she
was beautiful. 1t was. what l sup
pose would be called an impression
| istic picture, but it deferred from most
impressionistic pictures in showing
imagination in the artist instead of
demanding it from the observer.
But why should that pictured face
but in poise expression it recalled
some one wildly. There vas nc
doubling the resemblance, but grope
in my memory as l might, ! could not
place 1t.
When you are quite ready" said
49, ~ t~" - Nto ~,,t, VIZ ,i,, n
with impatience, L shall be glad tc
show you out"
I turned to find her glazing at me
almost like a beast at bay. With an
%imperious gesture, which checked on
my lips any questions I would have
asked, she led the way out into the
hall.
You are at liberty to search the
the glance I shot about me, 'if you
doubt my statement that Miss Law
renee is no longer here"
The thought flashed through my
mind that l would welcome a chance
to take a look into the cellar, and in
spect the fruit which it had taker
hours to arrange. but I did not dare
suggest 1t.
NO" 1 protested; Il believe YOU
street.
Godfrey was awaiting me.
"Well?" he asked.
Not there" I said.
But she was there?"
Yes; it was there she took refuge
you were right about that; but sht
left late last night. I don't know how
or where. Miss Kingdom refused tx
tell me-"
He ponde-ed this an instant will
half closed eyes.
u don't think she car slip through
our fngers." he said, at last. Ever.
one about here now her"
IL she took the train" / suggested
"the agent nay remember.
Yes" he agreed. And by the way
he added suddenly. "it was a lette,
which caused all this trouble"
"A letter"
Yes; a special delivery letter. I
was delivered at 1915 o'clock yester
day morning. The boy mounted thu
steps and was going to ring the bell
when Miss Lawrence herself, who wa,
just starting up the stairs, saw hin
and came to the door, which was open
and took the letter. 1t was addressed
to her and she signed for it."