The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-09-28

really too dreadful"
He didn't seem to hear her.
Shes turned out perfect wonder,
hasn't she? A world-beater. Why,
everybody tells me there isn't another
like her in her specially. Of course
| have heard of Lefty Lane, but
haven't been out TO things since
went in mourning, and I've never run
up against her."
Really" drawled the duchess
again, NOW that you have run up
against her what are you going to
do with her? Marry herr"
His honest stare was the greatest
relief she had ever experienced. He
repeated bluntly: Marry her? Why
the dickens should II"
you seem absorbed in her."
He agreed with her. 81 am. /
think she's great, don't you?"
Hardly"
But the cold voice of the duchess
did not chill him. Simply great" he
continued, land I'm sorry for her
down to the ground That is what is
the matter Didn't you notice her
when she came into the Carlton that
night?"
What of it, silly? I thought she
looked as thin as a shad in that black
dress, and the way Poniotowsky goes
about with her proves what an ass he
is"
well, I hate him. Blair simply
stated; 81 would wiring his neck for
twenty cents. But she's very i'll; that
is what is the matter with her."
They all look like that off the
stage" the duchess assured indiffer-
emily. "They are nothing but foot
light beauties; they look CHASTITY off
the boards. 1 dare say that Lefty
Lane is i'll, though; the pace she
goes would kill anybody. Have some
more tea?"
He held out his cup and agreed
with her.
/ 'She works too hard-this playing
almost every night, singing and dane
ing twice at the matiness, 1 should
think she would be dead"
''Oh, 1 don't mean her professional
A revolt such as had stung him
when they criticized her at the Carl
ton rose in him now
ut is hard to believe he said,
when you hear her sing that dove
song and that cradle song"
But his companions laugh stopped
his championship short.
you dear boy, don't be silly, Dan.
She doesn't need your pity Or your
good opinion. She is perfectly salts
fed. She has got fortune in Ponio-
towsky, and she really is "a perfect
terror you know"
Affected slightly by her cold dis
missal of his subject, he paused for a
moment. But his own point of view
was too strong to be shaken by this
woman's light words.
Il suppose if she wasn't from my
town" At his words the vision Of
| Lefty Lane with the coral strands on
her dress, came before his eyes, and
he said honestly: But l do take an
interest in her just the same, and
she's going to pieces, that's clear.
Something ought to be done"
| The Duchess of Breakwater was
very much annoyed.
! Are you going to talk about her
all the time?" she asked with sharp
sweetness. you are not very fiat.
tering, DAN"
And he returned peacefully, why,
thought you might be able to help her
In come way or another"
mel" She laughed aloud. "Me
help Lefty Lane? Really"
why, you might get her to sing out
here he suggested. THAT would
sort of get hold of her; women know
how to do those things"
His preposterous simplicity over
whelmed her. She stirred her tea
and said, controlling herself, why
what on earth would you have me te
say to Lefty Lane?"
ooh, just be nice to her." he sug
gested. "Tell her to take care of her
self and to brace up. Get some nice
woman to"
The duchess helped him. "To re
form her!
do her good" the boy said gently
you're too silly for words. If yor
were not such hopeless child would
be furious with you. Why, my deal
boy, she would laugh in your face anc
in mine.'
AS the duchess left the tea-table
she repeated: "Is this what you came
up from London to talk to me about?
And at the touch of her dress as she
passed him-at the look she gave MIN
from her eyes, Dan flushed and SAID
honestly: "Why, 1 told you that she
was the only thing that kept me from
thinking about you all the time"
CHAPTER TX.