Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-04

easy, beTlldered, and his brain, which had
been SO clear in the morning, was clouded
to painful degree. Attributing it all,
however, to the strange experiences of the
evening, he did not trouble himself much
about it but leaning his head against the
side Of the carriage, he gave himself up TO
a vague dreamy state, in which he was
neither asleep nor awake.
The motion of the carriage ceased alb.
ruptly, and the sound of the coaehman' IS
voice recalled him to himself Dropping
the glass, and looking cut, he saw by the
| light of lamp an unfamiliar street, and a
house which was not his.
"Where the deuce are You taking me,
you stupid fellow? Is this Faubourg ST.
Honore, Hotel Lsbinski y he exclaimed.
IS Pardon, monsieur; did not under.
stand; gfumbled the coachman, as he
! turned his horses.
On the way the Count asked himself sew
eral questions which he could not answer
Why had his carriage left without him,
when he had given express orders that it
should wait How was it that he was in
the carriage of another person ? He could
only conclude that slight feverish attack
had affected bis brain, or that NJ Cherhon.
neau, to produce stronger impression,
had perhaps given him during his magnetic
sleep some hallucinating drug, like hash
eesh, the effects of which would disappear
after nights sleep.
The carriage reached the Hotel Labinski ::
the servant at the entrance refused, how
ever. to open the door, saying it was no
! madame's reception evening, and that she
had already retired.
So Are YOU drunk or craZy?" said Olaf de
Ssville, thrusting aside the gigantic fellow
who stood in the half-open gate.
''You must be either drunk or crazy
yourself, my little fellow" replied the
man, whose red face had become purple
with anger, and if you are not quiet l
viii break you across my knee and throw
the pieces in the street. You need not at
tempt any Of your pranks with me, young
man. You have been taking two or three
more bottles of champagne than you can
conveniently carry.
Exasperated beyond endurance, Olaf de
Sayille gave the man blow which sent
him half through the gate. The noise of
the alteration aroused some Wallets, who
came to ascertain the cause of the disturb
ance. leave my service, impudens fell
low, at once. You shall not stay another
night under this roof" said the Count
Not at all intimidated, the enormous
creature. taking Olaf g TWO hands in one
OF his, immense, muscular and powerful,
with grasp like wise, he said, good-na-
turedly, "Come, Count, there is no sense
in a welldressed man of the world going
on in that sort of way-naking such an
uproar in respectable house. l make a
good deal of allowance for wine, and it
must be a famous vintage to intoxicate you
in this way, and so shall just take you
up gently and place you on the street.
where you will certainly be arrested if you
cut any more capers."
Rascals," cried Olaf de Saville, turn
ing toward the others, show dare you
permit fellow servant to insult your mas
ter. Count Labinski ?"
At this all roared with laughter. "This
little fellow things he is the Count Labin.
skill What joke. p
A cold perspiration started to his brow,
an agonizing thought flashed like lightning
through his brain, and the marrow seemed
freezing in his bones. Was he dead or
alive? Was his reason lost, forever lost in
the fathomless ocean of magnetism, or was
he the victim OF some diabolical couspi.
racy? Not one of his obsequious, humble
lackeys recognized him had he exchanged
his body as well as his carriage and his
clothing?
"That You may be quite sure you are
not the Count Labinski, said one Of the
men, ''look there He is coming down the
steps to see what all this noisei is about"
Turning his eyes toward the further end
of the court, he saw standing under the
awning a young man, who, with his tall,
elegant figure, black eyes, aquiline nose,
and delicate moustache was no other than
himself, or his specter evoked by some dia-
bolical agency.
The servant dropped the hands impris-
oned in his; the other servants ranged
themselves quietly against the wall, stand
ing with eyes cast down respectfully,
acknowledging the presence of the phantom
Count with an obsequious humility denied
to the actual master.
Piascovies husband, though brave az
lion, was conscious of inexpressible terror
as the young man drew near
He remembered an old family legend
and in remembering it his horror increased.
When the days of Labinski were mum.
bered he was always warned of the APP
proach Of death by an apparition of him
self. With all the Northern races, to see
ones death, even in dream, is considered
fatal presage, and the intrepid soldier
was seized by an insurmountable dread at
this vision of himself he, who would not
hesitate to face loaded cannon, recoiled
before himself.
Octave Labinski advanced toward his
own figure, in which the indignant soul of
the Count was struggling helplessly, and
in a very polite tone said
Monsieur, l beg you will cease this
alteration with my people. You are only
compromising yourself. If you wish to
see the Count, he is visible every day from
II till 2. Madame la Comtesse receives
Thursdays all who have been presented to
her"
Having uttered this sentence with ex-
treme deliberation, articulating each syl-
liable with the utmost precision, the false
Count turned, retraced his steps, entered
the hotel, and the doors closed upon him.
Olaf de Saville tainted and was placed in
his carriage. On recovering consciou mess
he found himself in a bed which was not
his own, in chamber he had never before
entered. Near him stood valet, who, as
he opened his eyes, raised his head and
held hacon toward him.
els monsieur feeling BETTER" asked
Jean. taking the Count for his master
YES" answered Olaf de Saville it
was only temporary faiutness."
"Shall go to bed, or does monsieur
wish me to sit up tonight"
"Not at all. Leave me alone but be-
fore yon go, light the candelabra by the
mirror"
Will not the strong light prevent mon
sieur from sIeeninp9n
Not in the least; besides, l have no
desire to sleep yet.
81 shall not 60 to bed, and ii monsieur
needs anything shall hear the first sound
of his bell, said Jean, who was very much
alarmed by the extreme paleness and evil
dent suffering of the Count.
When Jean had left the room the Count
rushed to the mirror and in the depths of
the pure, clear crystal, sparkling in the
brilliant light of the candles, he saw the
head of a young with abundant black
hair, blue eyes, pale, dark complexion and
sickly dark beard. This was not his
head, these were not his eyes gazing at
him with surprise. He almost fancied
that for jest some one had placed him.
self within the frame after removing the
GLASS. he even went so far as to slim his