Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-08-25

| that no woman in the world should be
| happy if l could help, l slipped in the
body of the slipper a little line or so
| that l had written when you did not
| see, when l was in the other room.
Twas that took the place OF Van
| Zandt's message, after all Monsieur,
it was fate. Van Zandt's letter, with
| out plan, fell out on my table. Your
note, sent by plan, remained in the
| shoe!"
"And what did it say? Tell me at
| once"
Very little. Yet enough for a wom-
an who loved and who expected. Only
| this: In spite of that other woman,
! come to me still. Who can teach you
| love Of woman as 1 can? Helena
think 1t was some such words as
| those"
II had not thought any one capable
Of that" said l.
'Ah, but l repented on the instant!
I repented before night came. In the
| twilight | got upon my knees and
prayed that all my plan might go
wrong-if I could call it plan"
But again l could only turn away
to ponder.
"See," she went on; ''for myself
this is irremediable, but it is not so
for you, nor for her. 1t is not too
i'll to be made right again. There in
| Montreal, I thought that had failed
in my plan, that you indeed were mar
ried You held yourself well in hand;
! like man, monsieur. But as to that,
you were married, for your love for
her remained; your pledge held. And
did not I, repenting, marry you to her
did not /, on my knees, marry you to
her that night? Oh, do not blame me
| too much"
"She should not have doubted" said
I. II shall not go back and ask her
again. The weakest Of men are strong
sometimes!"
"Ah, now you are but a man! Be-
ing such, you cannot understand how
terribly much the faith of man means
| for woman. It was her need for you
| that spoke, not her doubt of you.
Forgive her. She was not to blame.
Blame me! Do what you like to pun
ish me! Now, l shall make amends.
Tell me what best may do. Shall I
go to her, shall I tell her"
| "Not as my messenger. Not for
me-"
mo? Well, then, for myself? That
is my right. I shall tell her how
priestly faithful man you were.
Come" she said, 81 will bargain with
you, after ALL"
Amy bargain you like, madam"
"And 1 will keep my bargain. You
know that I will"
yes, l know that"
Very we'll, then. I am going back
to Washington"
How do you mean?"
| "By land, across the country; the
way you came"
| "You do not know what you say,
madam. The journey you suggest is
| incredible, impossible"
THAT matters nothing. I am go
ing And I am going alone No, you
cannot come with me. Do you think
I would risk more than have risked?
I go alone. I am England's spy; yes,
that is true. I am to report to Eng
land; yes, that is true. Therefore, the
more I see, the more l shall have to
report. Besides, I have something
else to do"
but would Mr. Pakenham listen to
| your report, after all?"
Now she hesitated for a moment. Il
can induce him to listen," she said.
THAT is part of my errand. First, be:
| fore I see Mr.. Pakenham I am going
to see Miss Elizabeth Churchill. I
shall report also to her. Then l shall
have done my duty. Is it not SOP
you could do no more" said l.
But what bargain"
| Listen. If she uses me i'll and will
not believe either you or me-then,
being woman, shall hate her; and
in that case shall go to Sir Richard
! for my own revenge. I shall tell him
| to bring on this war. In that case.
| Oregon will be lost to you, or at least
bought dear by blood and treasure
I'VE will attend to that, madam
said / grimly, and I smiled at her. al
| though a sudden fear caught at my
heart l knew what damage she was
in position to accomplish if she liked.
My heart stood still. 1 felt the faint
sweat again on my forehead.
(TO BE CONTINUED)