, 1891-09-26

ttLtllaA glass; AhlC4 IL liz u III
many branching flowers, depended from
the ceiling. By some invisible contriv-
ance fine sprays of water played over the
flowers and kept them fresh.
The floor was of polished oak, con-
structed for dancing, the whole magical
edifce covering the area of the garden
at the back of the house. 1t was here
that the dinner was to take place. The
table was designed in the form of a spiral
or helix, affording easy sitting room for
all the guests, and yet keeping them all
in sight and speaking distance of one
another. The table service was Indian
porcelain. with center pieces of silver
wrought by hand. At the upper end of
the saloon a fountain splashed in a great
basin of crystal, surrounded by delicate
ferns, and behind a silver treHis work,
covered with growing vines, were ac-
commodations for musicians. The count
explained to his companion that the table
was so contrived that it could be re-
moved in a few minutes, and the ioor
left free for dancing. 81 have some other
little features" he added, (which will
appear when the time comes; / will not
tire you by forcing You to review them
now. You have seen enough"
The beautiful Sallie sighed. She was
an ambitious woman, and she loved
splendor and power. She understood
that Count de Lisle had suggested more
than he had performed in his prepara-
tions for this unparalleled entertain
ment. Everything was made to appear
as simple as possible; only an educated
intelligence could divine the enormous
necessary to create this result.
She had dreamed of such resources, and
was conscious of the ability to admins
ter them, had she had them. BY her
side stood the man who could, if he
would, endow her with them. He and
The together could command as brilliant
. destiny as had ever fallen to the lot of
mortals. She drew n long breath and
arched her brows. Had she not within
herself the means to attract him? Was
not the fact that she was here tonight
an indication of his preference? She put
her hand within the arm he offered her
and leaned upon it, and looked up in his
face.
you are not disappointedT' he said.
II have never been content till now,"
she answered.
"You are quite content, them"
"Yes-almostl'
He met her glance as if he understood,
and accepted a yelled meaning in her
words. They moved out of the saloon
and returned to the reception room.
81 will take you upstairs" he said,
"to the % which 1 have placed at
your exclusive disposal for the evening.
There you can rest while l attend to
what remains to be done. There is still
an hour or two before the guests will
arrive. When it is time / will sum-
mon you"
They mounted to the second foor &C
cordingly, she still leaning on his arm.
He left her on the threshold Of the
room, and the door closed behind her
as shee entered. There was a fire of logs in
the fireplace, and in the chandelier a
score of flames burned steadily. The
was like the chamber of a fairy
princess. Every appliance that could
render a woman's existence luxurious
and exquisite was there; every sense was
fattered, every soft impulse stimulated.
She moved about, resting her eyes ON
one delight after another. The bed, the
toilet table, the washstand, the low
chairs and divans, the soft rugs under
foot, the walls hung with lovely tapestry,
the numberless minor beauties of decora-
tons that only women of a certain fine
ness of taste and temperament know how
to appreciate-all seemed designed for
her. Was it SO, indeed2
She seated herself at length and fell
into n long revery. Opposite to where
she sat was a tall and wide mirror, in
which she saw herself reflected at full
length. 1t was set in the wall, the heavy
bevel of the glass and its frame of ebony
with ivory tiligree pattern inlaid showed
that it was a rare antique-such a mirror
as the magicians of old time were tabled
to employ in necromantic mysteries.
One might expect to behold in it secret
scenes from the future OIL the past-re-
Elections from a heart that kept its own
counsels. 9
A dreamy mood came over the wom-
an. Her mind wandered vaguely from
one region of thought to another. She
sat with eyes half closed; all around her
was still. Glimpses of her earliest life
passed before her, and her pictures
nearer to the present and not so fair.
She strove to Danish them, and fix her
mind on the anticipation that had lately
suggested itself to her. To be the mis-
LIcSS VI JulS uOuSt-lut VILE VI ILLS man
the dispenser of his fortunel But by
a perverse infelicity her memory revert
ed to their talk in the reception room.
She saw the court room, the judge and
jury, herself in the witness box, and then
in the prisoners dock the pallid counte-
nance, framed in black hair, of the youth
who was on trial for his life. He was
condemned; he was dead; his look seemed
to reproach her for his death.
Either her eyes were dim or the room
had grown strangely dusky. What
light there wa appeared to concentrate
on the mirror. In its depths a figure
darkly appeared, growing more distinct
as she gazed upon it. What was it?
Not her own reflection. She had not
moved from her position. No. This
figure stood erect; it was clothed in black
garments; it advanced from a shadowy
background. 1t was the figure of a man;
surely she had seen it beforel Her nerves
thrilled cold and her jonts stiffened as
she looked. Was her visitor assuming
concrete form before her eyes? The face
was still obscure; but in that slowly in
creasing and lifting light it dawned into