The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1894-02-03

The words were spoken bravely.
None knew what an agony of pain (
was living beneath that smiling eX- /
terror.
Lady Darrell overheard her sons re- |
quest and her face was puzzled.
Roy is like all men clumsy" she !
said to herself. Valerie will never be /
a friend to his wife.
Alice. meanw lille, walked away with |
Count Jura. She scarcely heard what !
he was saying All the evening her |.
memory had gone back with thrill to /
her husband and his request. TO-mOr- !
row they were to meet and walk to-
gether.
1t was like beautiful dream TO her /
and unconsciously brought her happi-
ness.
Count Jura led the way to marble
anterOom.
Statues cleaned white amid the
foliage of rare tropical plants. dim
lamps were hung about. AMI fountain
played in the center.
Let us sit here awhile, he said as
he led her towards a velvet couch,
placed close to the fountain: we have
! had no time for chat, Lady Darrell"
! Nor shall have any now" said
Alice hmriedly. forcing herself to
/ smile. You forget, Count. | have my
guests to attend to"
And am 1 not One:" he asked quiet
ly.
Alice opened her fan and moved it
/ to and fro but did not answer.
! 80 YOU were frightened in the ruins
/ to-day" went on the Count, drinking
, in the fair loneliness of her face with
| passionate aviditv.
YES: but it was very stupid Of me.
J Please do not think me a coward.
! Count
And if YOU are afraid in broad day
| light, how can You have the courage
| TO sleep in a room with ali these glor-
iOus Jewels"
He touched glittering bracelet as
he spoke.
Il am not frightened in my own
apartment" Alice said. wondering Just
a little at the way in which he always
| discussed the diamonds.
! The Court noticed her surprise: he
adroitly changed the conversation.
| All. YOU should see the wonderful
caves and weird nCoks | have beheld
! in my travels. Ghosts and spirits dwelt
! in them. indeed
Il should Toe g,ad to travel and see
other lands"
Alice spoke dreamiy.
| You wOuld?" broke in the Count
All how would you like to leave this
cold desOlate place. and see nothing
! hut blue sky, sunshine, and flowers:
| Fancy Il garden. with orange groves
! scent ng the air, with terraces leading
! down To a bay as blue-as blue as your
| starlike eyes. one can be happy III Il
| home like that"
DO you know of such place" the
! girl asked eager to continue this con
yersation.
/ Yes. | know Of such paradise. 1t
! is mine all mine. Now it stands
empty and deserted: il only waits for
mistress mistress fair. lovely as the
I sun. with tntlc grace and maddening
! eyes such a. yours. es. You are ---
Count"
Alice rose quickly. but his arm stole
/ round her slender waist.
Yes, YES you are the only woman
! IN the wide world that could bring
happiness in such Il home. Have not
/ my eyes spoken clearly? Did you not
understand: AIice-my Lady Alice
/ listen / will take YOU away from all
this gilded misery: you are wretChed
here. | can give you more-lOve.
Yes. girl: YOU cannot understand what
a passion is devouring my heart. For
you live alone, for love YOU"
= Let me GO hreathed Alice,
wrcnching herself from his grasp.
How dare you3 How dare YOU insult
me like this"
Insult, :" The man laughed. What,
! YOU pretend you have not seen my
. love-
Your love" repeated the GIRL with
u lanra-- ~ have ~ n
! if had, should | come here to bear
your insults? Go-go- at once You
are a coward, ! scorn you l hate
YOU
Hate me, Beware, Lady DARRELL
| am your friend, your lover now, but
make me your enemy, and l Will fight
YOU to the end.
The girl drew up her figure to the
full height, and pointed hcrright hand
to the doorway.
60" She said quietly. Il am not
frightened: man to use threats to a
woman must he 4 coward. Go"
The Count turned. then swiftly NOV
ing back, he seized her arm and pressed
his lip, to it with Il passionate force
that hurt her.
"You shall sue to me yet" he muir
INJURED. You shall be inmy power I
swear it,
Alice stood watching his retreating
| form: her hand was Clenched on her
arm where his lips had touched it, She
felt sick and ILL., and was trembling in
every limb: she put out her hands
wildly: pride had lent her strength. but
now when she was alone. her strength
went quickly, and scarce knowing
where she was she sank onto the couch,
white and almost inseneible.
Her eyes were closet: she did not
see mans figure enter the doorway
and approach. She dimly heard a sud
den exclamation, and knew no more
til she felt herself gently lifted and
rlasped in a pair OF arms.
Then she opened her eyes. and her
glance fell on the fair handsome face
OF Roy Darrell.
You are i'll. he said hastily.
what is it; What has happened?"
She drew her hands across her eyes.
then with shuddcr remembered all:
her lips opened to speak OF the Count :
pcrtidy and Insult, but She suddenly
rerollectru that h" was th, EarI's
guest. and checked herself.
Il am tired. She mmmurcd; THE
ride was long, and the evening has
/ tried me
res. yes. you are quite fatigueo:
why not retire TO your room: my
/ mother Will relieve You of the rest of
( you duties"
Roy was gazing at her unconscious Of
the glow of tenderness that shone in
his face
Mice felt it. ami It thrilled hen.
strangely: she stood upright and put
aside his hands.
No. ma. ''sna said hrlY.idIy. II must