Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-02-08
WOMAN AGAINSY WOMAN.
BY MRS. M. E. HOLMES.

| TO the door ana SOftly ana nOlSeleSSly
removed the key.
Il can see it nowhere here, but if
YOU will wait an instant | will go into
| the dressing-rOom. 1t may be there,
! though [ am almost afraid to hope.
/ think Davis would have been sure to
! tell me.
Valerie made some slight answer.
! then as Alice disappeared through the
| curtains into the adjoining room, she
bent over the bed and deftly poured
! the contents of small vial on to the
lace-edged pillow. She was back dill
gently searching the mantelshelf as
| Alice returned.
mo, it is not there. Miss Ross, she
said, feeling really distressed. Now,
what shall do next"
'Nothing. = Valerie answered pleas
antly. "Yeu have already done too
! much dear Lady Alice"
! She had saturated her pocket-hand-
kerchief with the remainder OF the
fluid as she spoke and now drew it from
her dress, leaving the vial hidden in
her pocket.
81 feel so sorry for YOU Alice went
on, ''if you will let me. | will help you
look in the morning"
20, L ollull DC VOL lstu IL y W. w III
| and now | must say goodnight.
farewell.
Alice put down the candle, and
passed her hand over her face.
How close the room is! Good
night. What a curious Odor."
1T is the scent on my handkerchief.
| am sorry brought it up-it is some
very powerful perfume given me by a
friend from India. DO you like it,"
She put the handkerchief to the
girls face as she spoke.
ut is very strong" murmured Alice
family, feeling strangely stupid.
- ! es: almost too strong. Well. now
| must leave you, You look so tired:
it is really a shame TO have reused you.
Good night.
"Good-nig " replied Alice.
She moved with difficulty after
Valerie, and closed the door. Her
! hand wandered to the key, but she
was too confused to notice it was gone.
How close it isl she murmurcd.
"Where am [-all is dark
She staggered blindly toward the
bed, and fell across the pillow.
There are q few gasps for breath, a
Slight struggle as il for air, and the
young countess lay still and motionless
as death.
A few seconds elapsed, then the door
, was softly opened and Valerie stole in.
She moved on tiptoe to the bed.
~ cs, she muttered; sit has worked
we'll. She will sleep well tonight.
Friend-a friend to this poor puny
thing? am her enemy, as she will
soon discover to the bitter end.
She crept back to the door. and
beckOned without a word to another
form.
In an instant Count Jura was in the
room. CHANGING anXiously and hr-
ricdly round. his eyes fell on the safe
that contained the diamonds. He
opened it and took out the case.
Unjust you take those?' murmured
Valerie with knit broWs.
He nodded.
How else can we throw shame on
her? Have no fear. Though these
90. You will soon have others from the
Earl :"
Her face flushed.
Count ,Iura moved to the bedside. and
turned the inanimate face. lovely in its
palor. round, lifting the form gently in
his arms.
You have given her enough, he
muttered.
will it kill her?' asked Valerie in
4 low eager whisper.
He shook his head, and wave of
contempt passed over his face
NO; she will live, but she is out Of
your path forever"
What will you do with herr"
Ask no questions" retorted the
man. tiercely. II have served your
purpose: leave the rest to me-
Il want to know nothing, except that
! am free of her" Valerie answered
with q sheer
II will answer for that. She will be
in my hands. and cannot escape me, [
think"
Then come quickly. Here-takc
this cloak and hat. 1t will look as if
she planned everything. The window
must be opened or they will detect
the chloroform.
While she spoke Valerie moved
swiftly about. then, hinging the cloak
over the slender form in the Counts
arms, she led the way from the room,
carrying the diamonds.
With gentle tread and bated breath
they sto G along the corridor till they
came TO the door Alice had told the
Count that morning lea 10 an unln-
habited part of the castle.
This Valerie pushed open. and
guided by the dim light of the candle
she carried, the Count, clasping his
precious burden close in his arms. de-
seconded carefully the stone steps till
they reached Il corridor of stone that
led to door opening into the grounds.
Now can you find your way" whis
pered Valerie. Keep straight ahead.
Il know: my cart is concealed there
if Paul has done we'll.
Then farewell: but once more be-
fore we part repeat your oath. You
swear never to let Paul Ross modest me
when once once 1 am
Countess of DARRELL" finished the
Count quickly. Il swear it,
THAT he shall not approach me?"
Il swear it," he repeated.
IOu have more OOWer over Paul