The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-08-31
CHAPTER xI-(continued).

1T was YOU" she said hoarsely, WHY
knocked at the door In the middle OK
the. night" =
YES" I admitted, fascinated by her
burning gaze, 1T was l."
why did you do that?"
IT don't exactly know" I answered
iamely. not daring to tell the truth. Il
was passing the house and saw
light
Where? ?" she demanded. her face
contracting In quick spasm.
I'm the window yondeT" and I heard
her. deep breath OF relief. = tnought
perhaps It was Miss Lawrence.
1T was T." she said, and saw she
was visibly forcing herself to go on.
Il had been putting away some FRUIT
In the cellar. Your knock at that hour
startled me-"
quite naturally" 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. II -. s
'Td been awakened by bad dream
and found couldn't go to- sleep again.
30 decided to walk a little. walked
In this direction. suppose. because
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?"
questioned, deciding to become the
inquisitor In my turn.
''Oh. no. she had left several hours
| earlier. l 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. felt
| that she could tell me so much more,
| If she would. 1t was provoking to be
SO near success, and yet not to succeed.
"fm sorry" I said, that you refuse
| to tell me where Miss Lawrence has
| gone. 7 don't believe you're acting
| wisely----nor Is she in running away.
| She should be brave enough to stay and
face Mr. Curtiss. He has right
There are others who have rights,
| she cried her self control suddenly
| deserving her. There are others who
| have waived their rights. and torn
| their hearts, and withered in silence
She stopped abruptly, and l saw the
| tremor which swept through her as she
| controlled herself.
"That Is ALL" she said more calmly
| but with working face. Your parrot
| like talk for Mr.. Curtiss' rights pro-
1 vok ed me-" and she moved toward tire
| door.
! portrait. and again l was struck. by It's
| likeness to some one I knew.
| THAT is most remarkable picture
| I said. 1.-The person who painted II
| seems to have been clumsy enough
| and yet there is something vital and
bewitching about it,"
| There was signature scrawlcd IN
one corner, and l bent closer to de-
cipher it.
! ut was painted by cousin of mine.
! said Miss Kingdom indifferently.
| And suddenly the scrawl became in
telligible.
| quick glow OF interest.
| What do you know Of her?" she de-
| manded, looking at me sharply.
Nothing | answered, as indiffer:
| emily as l could. "Only, j should be
interested to know how she developed
She seems to have had great talent
| THAT was the last picture she ever
panied" said Miss Kingdom shortly;
then her eyes famed suddenly and he,
| face darkened. as she stepped close &c
| the portrait and stared at Ii. she was
| beautiful--beautiful!" she murmureo
hoarsely, and knew that Ruth Enid
colts last painting had been portrait
OF herself.
| And yet II was scarcely a portrait
| either, for the features were barely
indicated. But, gazing 1T it, one saw
| woman there-a woman real ant
| vital-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
ina g1nation In the artist instead Of
demanding 1t from the observer.
But why should that pictured face
seem so familiar? Not in lineamert
but in poise and expression II. recalled
doubling the resemblance, but grop'
in my memory az l might. could no
when you are quite ready" sal,
Miss Kingdom, in voice quiverini
with impatience. Il shall: be glad t
show you out" ~, - - :.
I turned to find her. glazing at mi
almost like beast at bay. With al
imperious gesture, which checked OF
my lips any questions l would have
asked, she led the way out into thu
hall. ~,
"You are at liberty to search tn
house." she said coldly, interceptini
the glance I shot about me, III yol
doubt my statement that Miss Law
renee is no longer here"
The thought flashed through m.
mind that l would welcome chanc
to take look into, the cellar and in
spect the fruit which 1t had takel
no" / protested; II believe you,
and in another moment was in tn
street
Godfrey was awaiting me.
"Well?" he asked.
mot there" / said.
But she was there?"
Eyes; 1t was there she took refuge
you were right about that; but sh
left late last night. don't know hoy
or where. Miss Kingdom refused {
tell me-"
He pondered this an instant WITT
half closed eyes.
II don't think she can slip through
our fingers" he said, at last. Ever
one about here know her"
IF she took the train" I suggested
"the agent may remember.
YES" he agreed. And by the way,
he added suddenly, 1t was a lette
which, caused all this trouble"
"A letter.
Yes; a special delivery letter. ]
was delivered at 11:15 o'clock yester
day morning. The boy mounted tn
steps and was going to ring the bel
when Miss Lawrence herself, who wa
just starting up the stairs. saw hir
and came to the door, which was opeI
and took the letter. 1t was addresse
I to her and she signed for it."
Where was it from?" / asked.
1T was from New York. and acros
the front, in a bold hand, was writer
| Important-read at once"