Omaha daily bee., 1911-05-07
CHAPTER III.
The Lady of the spur.

The Lady of the SPUR
slipped my weapon into the flap Of my
riding coat, placed the candle on the table
and stared again at my strange visitor
She drew quick breath-as IL happy that
the black muzzle no longer yawned upon
her-and moved toward a chair, plainly ex-
pecting an invitation to be seated
eyed her. She was almost certainly
young very possibly pretty, but the heavy
black veil. wound twice about face and
nat hid not only her features but her very
hair
Your pardon for the pistol, madam" I
said. Il took you for a different sort of
visitor"
Peggy told me you were expecting some
one" she answered in a low voice. she
leo me up here before could explain
could send you word that Il"
And, OF course, the silly creature made
a mistake. I regret that you should have
been put to such annoyance-a horsepistol
70 one woman's head is no fit reward for
another's stupidity. Permit me TO light
you to the door"
To my surprise, she put out a hand In
protest as I was about to take up the
candle
No. no. It's no mistake sir. That isl
wish to speak to you"
To speak to me?"
Yes. You are-arent you?-Mr. Nor
vanT-Mr. Henry MorvanY'
stared. II have been called So"
fes' yes And you're on your way TO
Morvan Manor-after a long absence. I
would Ike to talk TO you, q few minutes Z,
you please-a matter of very great i'm
portance"
/ was perplexed. ''win you favor me-
with your name, madam"
She hesitated. Her face indistinguisb-
able behind its covering, was lowered as ~
in embarrassment -
MY name? hadn't supposed that would
ne necessary. My name doesn't matter
Mr. Morvan. You don't need to know NV
name, hope"
grew more and more puzzled-asain 7
stared at her
Her riding-habit, even TO nv accus-
TONED eyes, seemed far behind the fashion
Her skirt. looped up on the left s,d.
showed worn boot beneath. wheraon
shone little spur. bright but badly hon,
PINK fingertip peered through her fraved
glove The very veil was OF the coarsast
materials This woman-this girI-was
poor Nay more she looked TO be one no,
Tar from want. '''
AS eyed her thought I understood The
oHnes were not over nice-the FELLOW,
isI ans might be free of his old highway
80, put might not scruple at other things
shInss Tess ansWerable TO the law. although
more contemplate than highway rob
Oe ,, bah! l shook myself at thk thought
you're right, madam" I said ..your
name would be too great an honor-in-
e' ! am TOO much honored by your COM
T"Hy aS wei Tor have present business.
must beg you to excuse me"
could feel her studying me t,rorsb ~.
veil Perhaps you don't understand ;,
she said. I've come expressly to
mo doubt" I interrupted. 81 resr., :,
you've been put TO useless trouble go,
1t without offense, hut"
She cut me short with a sudden gAst,,r.
very peremptory. Il must speak TO Won
sir Oh, know my presence hsrs =.
beSo all proper custom-but Won ar :
gentleman, Mr., Morvan. I've come IN war;
you-a matter OF life and death"
Her voice. beginning fierce with In.
patience, ended tremulous with earnest.
ness The tones low and mellow. no les,
man the words, gave the lie to nv sus.
pieions. felt my ears tingle with tbs
shame or my mistake This was not onIy
sood woman, she was also a gentle.
woman else I was the more deceived.
prayed fervently that she had not guessed
TOT what base thing had taken her
while my eyes strove in vain 10 nnaks
out the face behind the black va,l !
bowed profoundly.
Your pardon madam. VIII vou h.
seated? My years In the west must plest
Tor my lack Of politeness I am wholly
at your service"
she sank into a chair by the table. and
seated myself opposite. The faces OF botr
OF us were circled by the candies slow
Fronting me, that thrice accursed veil couIf
not entirely hide the outlines OF a small
well poised head, nor altogether dim m,
curves Of a shapely neck.
Fronting her, steady black ewes and 3
race perhaps even stern-yet, I do myself
the justice to believe, not a bad face
watched her res ectfully.
Althoush she I al lately been so anxious
TO lay bare her business. and I imnat len
10 learn it, yet now that nothing hindered
neither OF us seemed disposed TO proceed
There fell on us a day dream. such a,
floats about candle light The wind sighed
through the cherry orchard outside IN,