St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-23


she drew near to him. He felt her
strong, magnetic personality feeding
like a vampire OH his soul. She placed
her hands on his shoulders. the flame OF
her gown scorched where it touched
him. She raised her face to level with
his, lifted up her eyes merciful
Father, how they burned! Surely he
would smother. Her breath came hot
against his mouth. See the beautiful
soul you left meF'
He crushed her to his arms in an
agony of passionate fear. A cry in the
room sounded; both turned, and in one
breath both exclaimed valerie"
Swiftly Zula's gaze travelled from the
shrinking figure of her Creole maid to
the cOuntenance Of the man in whose
embrace she had been surprised. She
chose to ignore the revelation she saw
and demanded, what is it, girl? Have
l not told you TO cease crawling about
the house like a snake or evil spirit?
Speak, make some sound when you
come near me. What do you want?'
The girl stood guivering like we'll
memory of the lash. Il beg Your par
don, Miss Zula; but the detestab1e is
the very satan tonight. l can do moth
ing with him."
Bring him to me-" commanded Zula,
''he may amuse Col. harrington"
Meeting her glance, Col. harrington
exclaimed with pain as man who IS
struck across the eyes.
Valerie returned, bringing with her
struggling, screaming human thing,
that might be five or thirty-fve years
old, for all its dwarfed, misshapen body
told. Put him down and leave" Zula
ordered the girl, who did as she was
hidden. The little creatures whole
frame was cruelty distorted, every part
was painful rebellion against natural
law, and to make the deformity more
horrible, it was Knocked in scarlet
clothes. Dazzled by the unaccustomed
light, he stood silent for moment, the
muscles of his neck working constantly,
twisting his head and drawing his
mouth in hideous shapes. Speak to
the stranger, imp" said Zula, rOugly.
The odd being turned, and invOluntarily
Col. harrington sank into chair. The
face flashed on him was an exact mini
ature of his own, and on the
white skin was the blOOd-red
mark of a horses hoof. The imp di
rected vOlley of oaths, half American,
half foreign, at the stranger and was
VII III a tdlIlI llll StIll3 ilOWlIIISs
beating the air, himself, and whatever
his body came in contact with. Zula
watched the dwarf and the colonel with
interest. Speak to him, colonel; com
mand him to be quiet. See if the things
instincts he true, if there be instant
recognition of parental authority"
This is the crown of all, Zula." ''My
sins are coming home to live tonight
with vengeance. But, for Gods sake.
stop the creature, can't yOu?' He was
finally eXasperated beyond control.
lula approached the dwarf, laid firm
hand upon him, and dropping on her
knees, looked steadily into his eyes
until his cries came softer and at greater
intervals; the cOnvulsivc twitching Of
his muscles ceased gradually; his eyes
took on a strained expression: at length
his eyelds closed, and his head fell for
ward on his breast. Then she lifted him
and placed him on the pile of cushions
she had lately occupied herself.
Col. FarringtOn'S mind grew dazed
with the variety and intensity of emo
tons that had been aroused in him. Il
am worn out, Zula: must bid YOU good
night. The revelations of this evening
have been too much for me-"
poor fellow" she replied. What
magic had she wrought upon herself?
Her voice was that Of woman.
Poor fellow she repeated, close at
his side. She quietly drew his head
pricked his check like a thousand
needles, and the fingers she lay upon his
brow were so many coals OF fire. But
her voice kept SOFT Il was hard on
YOU trlie. Forgive me. dear. |
forget what trltles are in the lives of
of men. You shall say good night if
you wish, good night''-her lips were
kissing the mark of Cain upon his fore
head-"but you shall spend the night
under my roof" She went to the
window and drew aside the curtain;
''Sec the storm there isl He Joined
her side. The steady glare of lightning
revealed the bending forms OF trees.
and the roar of the wind and the crash
of the thunder became evident to the
mans benumbed senses. He said with
It shudder, II believe the very fury OF
the elements is in your service, Zula."
after nights rest you will laugh at
such a foolish belief, May peaceful
dreams restore you to yourself" Did
he sleep already? Her hand was cool
and moist to his touch, like a wOman's
hand; her voice rang sweet benedic-
ton, her eyes were yelled, and but for
maturer beauty she was the girl of
long dead day dream.
When servant had conducted Col.
Harrington to his room, Zula TraverS
sought her own. She threw open door
that led to balcony and stepped out
side. She pressed against the railing
and reached out her arms to the storm.
The wind and the rain fought for pO-
session of her, and the lightning cut a
red path through the sky TO gain her.
The branches of falling tree grazed
her arm. She saw light streaming
from the window of the labratory,
and she recOllected the mission on
which Jules and Virginia had gone
thither earlier in the evening. She
walked along the balcony TO see if they
were still there. The room was empty.
She tried the window; it yielded to
her, and she entered. On a table
lay the bleeding body of dog,
whose short breath and cOnvul-
sive movements indicated that
Virginia's experiment had failed. She
had evidently quit the task in fit of
disgust and disappointment. Her in
struments. still wet, lay where they had
fallen. Zula stood and fingered them
absently, her ewes on the dying animal.
Quick as thought, she had lifted knife
and driven it into the feebly fiuttering
heart. Leaving the blade in its warm
sheath, she paced back and forth with
uneasy strides until, suddenly stopping.
she muttered: Il must have been here
half the night" A clock in the room
pointed the hour of three. -Four hours;
/ wonder if he sleeps easily and dreams
of home" Her body seemed formed
for stealthy actions as she sped down
the nall and through half-hidden door
into the room where Col. Harrington
lay. ut is always so: give tired beast
a good bed and he always sleeps" were
the whispered words she spoke bend
ing above him. She slowly re-
traced her steps to the labratory and re-
turned to the sleeping man, laden. She