San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-24
A0 Absorbing Stolq
American Life and Love,

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| JULkhHAWTHORNE.
reared YOU -7eiS rs a man, SAFE 70
myself, who, from having rope around
his neck, has risen to power incalcu-
liable. The world has done its worst to
him; he will have his revenge upon the
world. The iron has entered into his
soul, and now his soul will be like iron.
He must be obeyed, for he can enforce
obedience. But when heard" contin-
ued Sallie, suddenly changing from this
serious vein to light and bantering
tone, "that the Count de Lisle was in
love and about to be married 1 did not
fear him so much. To have attempted
to overthrow you by questioning the
means that had obtained you your wealth
would have been desperate enterprise
Even robbers and murderers, if they be
strong and resolute enough, need fear
nothing. But to have given your heart
to girl-that was another matter! You
could be reached through her."
"And you? Are you impregnable?'
asked he.
"Only in so far that if l saw my way
to accomplish what l supremely desire /
would let nothing deter me. was an
innocent little girl once, but even then l
had strong desires, and without any OPP
portunity to carry them out. | made
some serious mistakes, and suffered from
them, but l had had my way, and
found that most failures in this world
are due to not having been INSCRIPTIONS
enough. 1t needs courage to begin, but
when you discover what it is to be with
out scruples you wonder why anybody
is controlled by them. They are the
great Shareholders of the human race.
But was going to say that should be
willing to put in your hands any evil
dence against myself that you might re-
quire for my destruction rather than
forego the purpose have in view"
What is your purposeT"
"The poets say that love is lord of all,
you know. 1 have had my doubts of
that, and l want you to settle them.
You think you love Olympia Raven
How much would you be willing to sac
ritice to save her life?' ... ......
''That is a hypothetical question. |
could answer it only after l was made
certain that her life was in danger"
Whether she lives or dies depends
upon the result of this interview. She
is in my power-as the people in melo-
drama say What becomes of her de-
ponds ON my will"
The count, who had been sitting with
his elbows on his knees and his eyes low
cred, looked up, and his glance and Sal
lies met. What she saw in his mind
sent quick flush to her face. For mo-
ment she held her breath. No soldier in
battle was ever nearer death than Sallie
then. But she had resolute heart. and
when she drew her breath again it was
with a smile.
"Do you always carry revolver" she
said I'VE are alone in the house, ex-
cept my maid. could have protected
myself, but | am sufficiently protected
by circumstances. 1t has been arranged
that if anything happens to Inc Olympia
will not long survive Inc"
Have we not had enough of this?"
asked he. DO you really expect me to
accept your statements as facts?"
Il might leave you to suffer the conse-
quence of not accepting them. But l
wish to spare you the pain of uncertainty
if can. Let me see. What can | do?
Would you like to see something of hers?
Did you not give her an engagement
ring? And did she not wear it on the
evening when you last saw her?'
He shrugged his shoulders. II have
given her many things-no doubt ring,
among others. She might have lost it,
and it might have been picked up;
can't say"
"At any rate, l will restore it to you,"
said Sallie. lit is not mine, and since
she no longer wears it you should have
the charge of it,"
So saying, she drew the box toward
her, opened it and took out a ring. 1t
was black diamond in an antique set
ting. 1t was one Of the jewels that had
been contained in Napoleon's treasure
casket, and the count had given it to
Olympia as the pledge of their betrothal.
Such another ring did not exist in the
world He kDau that 0lyrnnia yrOuld