Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-03-15

would have gladly sunk down and dled.
But this would never be now; some
terrible strange dream had separated
her from the Castle: she felt that she
could never return: and Valerie-cruel,
gorgeous. handsome Valerle-Would
be his wife.
Her head sank till it touched her
hands: tears were burning in her eyes,
but she forced them back, and then
the sound of some one caused her to
turn.
The tread was heavier than the old
woman's. A vague presentiment OF
coming evil fell on her; she clasped
her hands, and in another second stood
face to face with Count Jura.
The scream died on her lips, her
heart was suddenly frozen with fear
and hatred of this man.
do not shrink from me fair Count
ess.'' said Jura breaking the silence.
II will do you no harm"
'What does it mean?' breathed
rather than spoke Alice, drawing back
with repulsion.
"What do you want with me?"
"Nothing disagreeable, l hope. l
wish to help you"
''To help me now? Was it not
through you [ came here? Help me .
Have you not scotfed enough. Count
Jura? What I have | done that you
should have treated me SO shame
fully"
You use hard words, my Lady
Alice" laughed Count Jura, quietly,
but they cannot harm me. Used you
shamefully? Why, you insult our
home and all its Injuries. Come, be
| friends"
! ''Do not dare approach men gasped
| Alice. shrinking from his outstretched
hand. Il loath, l detest you You
are a coward to treat woman as you
are treating me. Let me go-the very
sight Of you is torture.'
go? Where to? Back to the cas-
| tle-eh?" Count Jura opened a little
| box, took out q match, and leisurely lit
a cigar ''That would be foolish, ma
belle; you would only exchange very
comfortable quarters for an iron cage
! in other words, you would be I'M
prisQned Immediately for robbery."
Robbery" repeated the girl, blank
| " at first, then the truth daWned on
| her. 'Ah, | see-T understand. [
know ali. That ring spoke plainly"
roughly.
|
we'll, yet my memory would not help
me. But now, now [ see all with hide
Gus clearness. You-you are a thief,
a."
flush" The Counts hand closed
whispered savagely, ''and you will re-
robbej-robbed of plate, of diamonds,
of its Countess. Roy Darrell will see
none of his treasures back again. 1t is
best you should know how we stand.
have taken you; to my hand you are
tied; henceforth you are my slave, to
do as | will. No words, no screams, no
weakners. Listen. [ am flying from
here this night. leaving the whole gang
and what for? For love-love of you.
We shall start at once for that golden
land | sketched for you last night:
| once there, all will be we'll. Give me
your hand. Be silent [ say; my mind
is made up. I love you; [ will not re-
nounce you. Leave your pleadings to
another time; they WILL not avail.
| ConfOund it, do not kneel to me! We
are delaying, and delaying is danger
Gus: it means"
''Many awkward things" Kissed a
low, clear voice from the darkness.
A form stood behind the Count. He
loosened his hold on Alice, who stag
gered to her feet distraught with fear.
''Myra" murdered the Count. "What
brings you here?'
The fend. perhaps, answered Myra
detiantly. ''Ah, you thought to play a
trick on me. Master George: but you
should have known me better. Cow
AID. You thought to put me into
Moses keeping, while you broke your
word with me and carried her off.
Give me your hand, Z" she added abruptly
to Alice. You have failed, George;
the game is mine. [ have but to
whistle. and in an instant Sam and
Paul will be On you and find out your
| treachery. Stand aside, man! You
| will find me difficult to tackle to-
night"
The Count took no notice of her
| threat, but seized Alice in his arms
tried to force Myra aside. With light
ming dizziness she kept her right hand
free searched in her bosom for scarf,
which she had saturated with drug,
and while ne twisted her left wrist,
causing her acute agony, she pressed
the scarf to his face.
There was a suffocating cry-a sort
of sob. Alice felt his arms losen and
the next instant the man fell heavily
to the ground at their feet.
Alice staggered back, as Count Jura
fell at her feet.
''Have you killed him." she said in
whisper of dread.
''Ki.led him." repeated Myra. gazing
at the fallen man bitterly mo; only
drugged him. See" she held out the
scarf. 1--WE are never without chloro-
form: it is our own best weapon"
Alice recognized the faint odor.
"Ah, [ see now,' she murmured.
''She drugged me with that"
kill him. said Myra modify: "why
do | not strike him dead? He has
killed me. Coward-traitor- liar. But
come, we must go. You can trust me, !"
| she added abruptly.
For answer Alice carried her hand
to her lips.
Have you not saved me?" she muir
INJURED.
| 1--WE must be as swift as the wind, )"
| continued Myra drawing her cloak