Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-09-08
CHAPTER XI-(continued).

| hliSChGu dL the 0OOI III liz AAlAoAAS -
the night"
yes" I admitted, fascinated by her
burning gaze, 1T was l."
why did you do that?"
81 don't exactly know" I answered
lamely, not daring to tell the truth. y
was passing the house n saw a
light
where" she demanded, her face
contracting In a quick spasm.
Tn the window yonder," and I heard
her deep breath Of relief. Il thought
perhaps it was Miss Lawrence"
ut 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" 1 assented. II Won
der at myself now for knocking"
How did you happen TO be passing
the house at that timer" she asked sud
denly.
I'D been awakened by a bad dream
and found I couldn't go to sleep again,
so decided to walk d little. l walked
In this direction, 1 suppose, because l
was thinking about Miss Lawrence"
She was looking at me keenly, but
saw that I spoke the truth and again
rave q quick sigh of relief.
Miss Lawrence was not here Them
questioned, deciding to become the
induisitor in my turn.
"Oh, no; she had left several hours
earlier. / 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,
IL she would. 1t was provoking to be
so nea success, and yet not to succeed.
I'm sorry" / 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 n
face Mr.. Curtiss. He has a right
' There are others who have rights"
she cried, her self control suddenly
deserving her. There are others h
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-
woke me-" and she moved toward the
door.
y 1 paused for a last glance at the
portrait, and again / was struck by its
llhClltSS " GOlIAI Oll' L anew
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
one corner, and l bent closer to de-
cipher it.
' TT was painted by a cousin of mine"
said Miss Kingdom indifferently.
And suddenly the sCraWl became in
telligible.
\ truth Endicott'" l read, with u
quick glow of interest.
What do you know of herr" she de-
manded, looking at me sharply.
Nothing" answered, as luGItfer~
emily as l could. only, l should be
interested to know how she developed,
She seems &c have had great talent
THAT was the last picture she ever
panied" said Miss Kingdom shortly;
then her eyes famed suddenly and her
face darkened, as she stepped close 10
the portrait and stared at 1t. she was
beautiful-beautiful!" she murmured
hoarsely, and l knew that Ruth Endi-
colts last painting had been a portrait
of herself.
And yet it was scarcely a portrait
either, for the features were barely
indicated. But, gazing at it, n saw
O. woman there--a woman real and
-oAAN hAlSN - $1,000 $500
was beautiful. 1t vas what / sup
pose would be called an impressions
istic picture, but 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 lineament,
but in poise and expression it recalled
some one wildly. There was no
doubling the resemblance, but grope
in my memory as / might, 4 could not
place II.
when you are quite ready" said
Miss Kingdom. In a voice quivering
with Impotence, Il shall be glad to
show you out"
/ turned to find her glazing at me
almost like a beast at bay. With an
imperious gesture, which checked on
my lips any questions I would have
asked, she led the way out into the
hall.
you are at liberty to search the
house." she said coldly, i~ntercepting
the glance / shot about ne, 1T you
doubt my statement that Miss Law
renee is no longer here"
The thought flashed through my
mind that I would welcome a chance
to take a look into the cellar, and In
spect the fruit which 1t had taken
hours to arrange, but ! did not dare
suggest II.
NO" I protested; Il believe you."
and in another moment I was In the
street.
Godfrey was awaiting me.
"Well2" he asked.
Not therO," I said.
but she was there?"
Eyes: II was there she took refuge
you were right about that; but she
left late last night. I don't know how
or where. Miss Kingdom refused to
tell me-"
He pondered this an instant with
half closed eyes
II don't think she can slip through
our fingers" he said. at last. Every
one about here know her."
IF she took the train" / suggested,
"the agent may remember.
Yes" he agreed. And by the way"
he added suddenly, 1T vas 3 letter
which caused all this trouble"
"A letter."
Yves; a special delivery letter. 1t
was delivered at 11:15 o'clock y~ester-
day morning. The boy mounted the
steps and was going to ring the bell,
when Miss Lawrence herself, who was
s..& A. 49, 49, ot, ~.-. -.