Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-11-26
CHAPTER XIV.
LOVE CONTINU D.

GaK
"I soiu r,nrv5' yotl Ulscn you bring Rep
pei Ddrkc here"
Olympia Raven, since the night OF the
counts ball, had been in a condition
which gave her friend Mrs. Bannick
some anxiety. She was not il, but she
was not her usual self. She sat for long
periods of time plunged in intense medi-
tation; then she would rise and wander
restlessly about; sometimes her mood
would be gloomy, sometimes sudden
change to hilarity would come over her.
In answer TO the tender questionings of
her friend, Olympia would reply, with a
look of surprise, that she was perfectly
we'll; and Mrs. Raven, whom Mrs. Ban
nick consulted, shook her head and de-
clared that Olympia looked to her about
the same as usual; she had never been
able to understand her, anyway! Mrs.
Raven, never brilliant or powerful in
tellect, had been growing old of late;
she was very deaf, and spent her time
chiefly in reading old newspapers. Her
mind was dull and vague, and she was
inclined to resent any attempt to arouse
her to living interest in what was pass
ing around her.
I'm afraid" said Toms wife to her
husband, as he was putting on clean
shirt for dinner, "that Olympia was
thrown off her balance by that hypno-
tizing business. Nobody really under
stands what these frances are; and there
may be more harm in them than we
imagine"
She'll come around all right" an
swered Tom, with cheerful optimism.
Every young unmarried girl goes queer
once in while; and quite proper, too!'
Olympia did not herself know any
thing Of the mysterious part she had
played on the night of February twenty
fifth. 1t had accidentally transpired some
time before that she was an exceptionally
good subject for hypnotic experiments,
and the count had intimated that she
might, If she chose, become instru-
mental in discovering the murderer of
Harry Trent. She finally consented, on
condition that she be not informed of
the manner in which her power was
used. She was willing to become an in
strument in the cause of justice, but
shrank from being made privy to the
means adopted. Garcia, after the first
experiments, was able to throw her into
a trance without her even knowing of
his proximity; and it had thus been pos
sible to take her to the count 5 house and
back again without any consciousness of
the transaction on her part. But the
experience had had other effects upon
her which were not as yet suspected by
any one.
She was sitting at the piano one after
noon when the count came in. The air
was still vibrating with delicate har-
monies, softly tuned into life by her fin
gers, as she turned to meet him. 1t was
the first time he had come to her since
the night of the ball.
II was thinking about you, Count de
Lisle," she said, as she gave him her
hand, land / was expecting YOU"
"That is good news" he replied. "Can
be of any use to your
She looked at him while he was speak
ing In singular manner, as if she saw,
not his physical self, but something
within that or emanating from it. Her
eyes sparkled, and their glance was not
hxed, but wandered from point to point
OF the counts face. A smile glimmered
on her lips and was gone, and again re-
turned, like light upon dimpling water.
Though she sat still, there was subtle
unrest perceptibie in her, as if the
thoughts tina; traversed her mind to and
fro left vibrations and fine STRINGS in
her palpable organism. In the shadowy
room Olympia seemed spiritualistic and
to possess spiritual powers, so that the
count felt as If she could see what was
in his brain as easily as she could see his
face.
''The time is come when we must
part, she said, after a pause.
part! What do you nean9 Where
sre you going? What has happened?
BE was startled out of his customary
self possession, and spoke impulsively.
"Yes, Count de Lisle, we must part, y
ene repeated. smiling still mysteriously.
"And we must never meet again, in this
world or the next"
She said this so decisively and yet sc
quietly that the count was dumfounded
He could not think she was jesting, and
yet how could she be in earnest? He had
been dattering himself Of late that she
mad been learning to regard him with
anything but indifference. Even now
though her words were SO strange, hel
manner had never had such attractive
ness.
why must we partT he demanded
"dive me reason. What has happened
TO change you since saw You last?'
"Can You give me a reason why W,
shouh not partT she returned.
"Yes, can" said he, "a personal rea
son.
Ahr she said quickly, 'I have per
souA reason on the other side.D
"what is it?"
sne turned on the piano stool on which
ahe had been sitting. and began to toucl
the chords Of the instrument, but s,
nghfly that they responded, as it were
IN whisper Of melody.
II have something to do she replied
= have lost three years already. can
not 60 On SO. l must devote myself Il
that only
To what? Cannot I help youy.
fou don't know what you are ask
ing, Count dc Lisle," she replied. glanc
ing &C him over her shoulder. .sYo,
now-f have told you-that / love SOM
one. l wiah to devote myself to him
How can You help me in thatyr
DO you mean"--
Il mean Keppel Darke. There il n,
one else that can love-
Ah-Keppel Darke, You are lest
ing, after all. A sentiments memor,
--as not love. This is not your true rea
son. Why do you play with meTa
Do yeu think Keppel Darke is deady
asked oiympia. harmonixing her tone
with the notes she was drawing from
the Keys. 81 thought SO once, but
have begun TO feel that he Is alive.
NOW It IN my heart. / see him !,
drea1aA He is often near me. an
happy In this communion with hin,
Whatever disturbs it / wish shoul,
cease And nothing distarbs it so mucl
- .he Count de Lisle.s
Olympia, you are not speaking ser
ou!y: you are smiling"
Why should not aniles am happy
What am 10 your
fou are everything to mer' he sal
mpstuousiy. Il love your
II that the first time you have sa;
6nee words to womanf' she asked. fae
Ing him. =,