Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-09-07
CHAPTER x1-(continued>.

knocked at the door In the middle OF
the night"
Yes" l admitted. fascinated by her
burning axe 1T was T."
why did you do that?"
Il don't exactly know 1 answered
lamely. not daring to tell the truth. II
was passing the house and saw a
light"
'Where?" she demanded. her face
contracting In a quick spasm.
I'm the window yonder." and I heard
her deep breath of relief. Il thought
perhaps it was Miss Lawrence"
1T was l." she said. and l saw She
was 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 l assented. II won
der at myself now for knocking"
"HoM did you happen to be passing
the house at that time?" h asked sud-
denly.
I'D been, awakened by a bad dream
80 decided to walk a little. 1 walked
in this direction, l suppose, because l
was thinking about Miss Lawrence"
She was looking at me keenly, out
saw that l 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.
'Oh, no; she had left several hours
earlier. I 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 al end.
rose somewhat reluctantly. ! felt
that she could tell me SO much more,
II she would. 1t was provoking to be
so near success. and 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
sace Mr.. Curtiss. He has a 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. inc withered In silence
She stopped abruptly. and I 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-
voked me,' and she moved toward the
door.
1 paused for a last glance at the
portrait, and again I was struck by its
likeness to some N 1 knew.
That is a most remarkable picture"
I said. "The person who painted it
seems to have been clumsy enough.
and yet there is something vital and
bewitching about it."
There was a signature scrawled in
n corner, n l bent closer to de-
cipher it.
ut was painted by a cousin of mine
said Miss Kingdom indifferently.
And suddenly the scrawl became in
telligible.
Ruth E%ndicott.'" I read, with a
quick glow of interest.
What do you know of herr" she de-
manded. looking at me sharply.
Nothing" I answered, as indiffer-
entity as 1 could. only, l should be
interested to INC how she developed.
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 mo stared at 1t. She was
beautiful-beautiful!" she murmured
hoarsely, and / knew that Ruth Endi-
colts last painting had been a portrait
of herself.
either, for the features were barely
indicated. But, gazing at it, n saw
a woman there-a woman real and
vital-and knew instinctively that she
pose would be called an impression
istic picture. bat 1t deferred from most
impressionistic pictures in showing
imagination in the artist instead OF
demanding it from the observer.
But why should that pictured face
seem so familiar? Not in Mneament
but in poise and expression 1t recalled
some one wildly. There was nc
doubling the resemblance. but grope
in my memory as l might. I could not
place it.
When you are quite ready" said
Miss Kingdom. in a voice quiverine
with Impotence, Il shall be glad to
show you out"
I turned to find her glsring at me
almost like a beast at bay. With an
imperious gesture, which checked or
my lips any questions ! would have
asked, she led the way out into the
hall.
house," she said coldly. interceptine
the glance I shot about me, III you
doubt my statement that Miss Law
renee is NJ longer here"
The thought flashed through m,
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 it.
NO" 1 protested; Il believe you,
and in another moment l was in the
street.
Godfrey was awaiting me.
''Well?" he asked.
mot there" / said.
"But she was there?"
Yes; it was there she took refuge
you were right about that; but shs
left late last night. I don't know how
or where. Misc Kingdom refused t.
tell me-"
He pondered this an instant will
half closed eyes.