The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-12-12

an intense expression. His lips were
parted as if to speak. But at that mo-
ment a sound of voices was audible in
an adjoining room. Mrs. Baninck and
Mrs. Raven had. returned from their
shopping expedition. The count recov-
cred himself in an instant.
81 will do myself the honor to call
again, Miss Raven" he said "Forgive
me for having disturbed you. I hope
you will think of me as your friend. -
And then, as the ladies opened the door,
he bowed to them silently and ceremoni-
ously and went out.
His carriage, with two horses, was
standing before the door. AS the count
emerged from the house on the sidewalk
there was a singular bright and triumph
ant expression on his face, as if some re-
markable happiness had befallen him.
An understood man of dark complex
ion, with black stubble of beard on his
face and wearing a ragged coat and a
derby hat rusty with age and two sizes
too big for him, was shambling along
the sidewalk in pair of boots that were
not mates. AS the Count de Lisle ap-
preached his carriage the dingy wreck
of civilization sprang to open the car
riage door, having determined at
glance that the count was not only able
to afford him a quarter, but was in the
right humor to do so.
The count looked at the man as he
stood ducking and scraping, with his hat
in his hand, and pausing, he put his
fingers in his waistcoat pocket. There
was nothing there but bank notes. The
count next tried the pocket of his trou-
sers, but millionaires suffer from incon-
veniences, as other folks do, though of
different kind. He pulled out, not sill
yer, but only handful of gold"
81 am sorry" he said to the man; 81
have nothing but ten dollar piece"
'That's better than nothing, captainr'
the man returned, with ludicrous affec-
tation of magnanimity. The count smiled
in recognition of the forlorn bit of humor
and threw the coin into the hat. The
man took it out between his forefnger
and thumb, delicately, as a prestidigita-
teur might, and by a quick movement
caused it to disappear. "My thanks, cap
tain" he said. Another time l will do
as much for your
Just then there was roar and a rush,
and changing of bells and snorting Of
steam sweeping across the head of the
road, couple Of rods off. 1t was fire
engine, galloping headlong to its destina-
ton toward the eastern water front. The
counts horses were spirited creatures,
acd not as yet thoroughly broken in to
New York customs. They made spring,
The coachman braced himself, but felt
that he could not control them. The
count, who had placed one foot upon the
step, withdrew it just in time to escape
being knocked down by the forward
lurch of the carriage.
But the shabby man was enterprising
in more ways than in collecting eieemo-
synary eagles. He jumped nimbly to
the heads of the horses and caught at
the bits. He might have been successful
in stopping them but that his hat, being
too large, was in some way jerked off his
head, and fell upon the nose of the off
horse, who tossed it up in the air. and
having got to the end of his endurance
made desperate plunge. The pole of
the carriage struck the man on the left
shoulder, swinging him round toward
the right. ae still clung to the reins
with his right hand, but he was being
dragged before the near horse, and after
a moment or two his hold slipped, and
he fell on his back with his head toward
the curb. The wheels passed over his
legs below the knee, and his left leg was
broken. Meantime policeman had
come up, and contrived to stop the
horses, and Count de Lisle stopped over
the fallen man.
'.Are you badly hurt?' he asked him.
"One leg gone, captain. Shouldn't
mind if had a carriage of my own; but,
being as it is, it's inconvenient."
ssTll call an ambulance, sir" said the
policeman to Lisle ''These fellers is al
ways gettin' in the way. Serves him
right!'
SCOT my ten dollars all the same,
Bobby DEAR" murmured the crippled
man.
"My carriage is not an ambulance" !"
said the count to the man; "but if you
think you can stand it I'll drive you to
my own house. You can be looked after
as well as if you were at the hospital"
ssNever mind about the ambulance,
Bobby" said the man; ''this gentleman
and will manage for ourselves. Don't
get in the way, my good fellow! Now,
captain, am at your service"
He was lifted into the carriage, and
his leg supported on a bundle of car
riage rugs The count took his seat be-
side him, and they set out. The pave
ments were New York pavements, and
did their best to add to the torture of
the sufferer; but the carriage had won
derful springs, so elastic that their prog
ress seemed more like sailing than driv-
ing.
''And where might your residence be,
if may be so bold as to inquire, cap
tain?" said the man, in an interval be-
tween two grunts of pain.
The count mentioned its situation.
"Bless me!' exclaimed the other.
'sNot really! Well, well! So the old
house is to have an occupant at lastl
Well, l declare!'
''You appear to have been familiar
with it?' said the count, amused.
''In a measure, yes. knew Harry
Trent well-very well. He built that
house to live in-as he thought; but in
stead of living in it he was murdered in
it. Mysterious, captain, the ways of
Providence! Poor old Harry! Friend of
yours, sir?"
ST have met him. Who are your
"Alonzo Garcia is my name, captain.