Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-06-07

from the HbTCo Sl"AO Va - -
owes She now stood near the center OF
the vast hall. -,
"Go, Max! My love Will always DC "i'n
YOU" she cried again.
"Do you fear for your sweetnear''
madam? / will not harm him now.
Ralph still stood in the same attltuoe'
motionless, his arms folded on his oreasC'
rs he spoke these words.
The Count feigned not to hear his
rivals taunts. He walked across the
aoor toward Mrs. Warringham
81 obey your w.shes," he replied I'VE
shall meet again.
Then he gallantly kissed her hand,
howell courtcousiy to the Doctor, ana
disappeared. A..
Hahn gone so far in this affair, the
ronnp nobIeman was resolved to perSlst
in Il and not show the white feather,
come what might
With an effort almost superhuman'
Ralnh still refrained from violent out
break when he saw the Count act so de-
family A tremor of rage shook his
frame. but he retained the mastery OF
| his PASSION.
| The Count was gone. HUSBAND anu
wife stood before each other.
Ralph came down from the lobby AMI
walked toward the door. His steps re-
sonnded strangely in the vast space OF
tho hall. where all else was silent.
@Let MS 20 home, madam, he said.
| @We must strike the balance ol our "0-
| counts to day."
| He opened the heavy oaken 400: anu
held it open for her ID pass. his giarlh9
ewes seemed to pierce through her'
| moment she hesltated. ,,oy
"Why do you not go? Are you afraldT
he asked, sneerlngly.
She was afraid. His outward CAIN
ness. which she knew was only the CLOAK
of suppre ssed rage, terrified her more
than the widest exhibition OF wrath
could have done But In response 10 MS
sneer she passel out of the door with
defiant look at him
He followed behind her. Soon they
found themselves in tho wide courtyard
of the castle. Silently they passed
through the great gate, over the draw
bridge. and walked down the road to-
ward their hotel. He did not offer her
his arm. Without speaking a word they
walked on. -,
Within twenty minutes they had
reached the hotel. Ralph opened the
door to his room, and, with silent mo
ton, invited her to enter
She sat down in an armchair. ne
stood at the window, whence be coulo
scan her features.
"You believe me to be wealthy, 40 you
not madame" he asked, after a pause
of some moments.
She was surpri-ed at this question
She had feared a very different begin
ming of the interview.
81 have reason to believe so" she an
swered
@You had reason, but let mo inform
YOU that you were mistaken.
He stepped to the tab'e and wrote
something on a slip Of paper, which he
handed to her
@This is the greater part Of my earthly
posses ;ions," he said. foa ma
keep it
Mrs Warringham throw glance a
th, Darer he held before her 1t was
check for tho1sand dollars She az
not receive it, and he laid it Oh th'
table beside her. r.
aWbcn | MARI cd you," she replied, Z"
was UOlu bldO AOu "OAN az ''-~ 1
of a large fortune.
She was puzzled by her husbands De
havior. Could it he possible that n
should simulate poverty IN order Co 20
rid of her the cheaper? c,
Q "My mother had large fortune. Sh
has died and disinherited me, because
y married you," Ralph continued.
"You never told me about these CHI
= cumstance5. ~
e "Dsre YOU reproach me with lt?" n
9 asked fercaly Here was the weak spo
IN his armor, and he was naturally irrit
q able on that point
@ 81 do not" Lucy replied.
= ~You had better not" he exclaimed
D His rage, so long suppressed, now ours
v it's bounds. "Woman, you have DC
l. trayed me from the very first moment
|, our acquaintance! You entered on
8 union with lie on your lips and treaso
r in your heartl You are an actress, II
" deed! A glorious part you have acte(
II and was fool enough to be duped!"
It His franc shook with violent exc Il
,. ment Lucy sat silent and pa e, OF
o messed with the consciousness or ~
u guilt.
c "Ah, Lucy" Ralph continued, in
II softer vo.ce. "why did you betray me
q I loved you 50 deeply For you gay
}, up fortune and family, and yet you NAY
u betrayed mel" ~ .n<
Lucy was still silent. Ralph turn(
: his face away and when he looked
II her again his expression was sterA ai
u determined.
|, ave must make an end of II, ne sal
9 aThere can be nothing in common D
tween us after what has happened.
4. said, am a poor man. rake 1h
u check. 1t is all can give you
r, He paused, but added, after Few m
ments, bitterly;
"I suppose 'ou will not suHer wan
W You have found one who will take ca
'u Ct you. g." ,d .,
answer him? Vas not all he had sa
true? 80 NJ.
I'd @That is all that need be said" Rail-
o. continued, after pause. 81 nope '
NAV never meet again. Live happy
with these words he strodo out OF t.
10 door.
Incv sat for long time in that san
chair. silent, motionless, fearless
The first part of the terrio ia
70 Ralph had imposed upon himself "
done. Now for the second.
10 The Doctor almo.t felt fierce plea
1c ur, at the thought OF being reveng
On m the destroyer of his happiness.
Az was determined that tho Count shou
10 not escape alive. He rejoice at t