The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-12-26

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The figure stood erect; 1t aoas clothed In
black.
"Welcome to my homer said the
count, meeting her as she entered. 'sBut
you already know it better than you
know me. I hope you will not disap-
prove my alterations"
"What you have done is sure to be
right" she answered, ''but you are mis-
taken in. thinking I know the house.
This is my first visit to it,"
'.Really the very frst?" said the count,
retaining her hand moment in his and
looking in her eyes. sWell, am glad
I had supposed you were here at the
time your husband met his death; but
was wrong?"
"You were misinformed."
$50 much the better. You will have
no painful associations to contend with.
But, pardon me, am l indiscreet in
speaking frankly of these things?' He
had led her into small room off the
hall, where clear fire was burning
softly in the CRATE and where they were
alone. tits my IMPRESSION he went
on, ''that you are not as other women;
you have strength and elevation that
despise the common frivolities of your
sex; and though you are too proud to
wish to appear eccentric, yet in your
heart you think your own thoughts and
live your own life. You are rebel and
hereto in the garb of orthodoxy. You
are not ofendedY' he added, smiling.
"You please me immensely" she re-
piled. 81 like to be told about myself,
and dare say you are quite right about
me. But never studied my own char
acter-I have no talent in that way-and
I really don't know whether 1 am just
like other people or not. If seeing very
few people can make me peculiar, l
ought to be So"
my own experience" observed the
count, after pause, ''has made me pre-
fer the realities of life to any shows.
When asked you to come here and help
me l feared you would refuse. Most
women would have done so, because they
are either fools who do not think or cow
ards who dread critics. Your husband
was murdered in this house three years
ago tonight. Even to this day it is un-
known who struck the blow"
sNo, count, l must correct you there"
interposed she, slightly disturbed, for the
counts manner was strangely emphatic,
and the topic upon which he had fallen
was not, after all, an attractive one.
"There was no doubt about who COM
mitted the crime. There was no mys-
terry"
mo? And was the true criminal pun
ishedY'
"Yes; SO far as the jury was con-
cerned. But he did not live to serve out
his But, really, my dear sir" she
broke off, laughing, 1--WE must not spend
our valuable time discussing these
things. 1t will not help our guests b
enjoy themselves"
81 will say, however, what was in my
mind, "rejoined he, regarding her gravely.
81 hope to have the honor of knowing
you better, madame; but no friendship
can be secure which is liable to the open
ing of skeleton closets. I wish to have
your assurance that you have no secret
horror of this place on account of what
was done here? You do not fear to see
specters? You do not scent blood in the
air? In word, madame, you are not
superstitious- do not believe that
the influences of an evil deed are to be
felt more in one place than another?
That the ghost of your husband, or Of
the man who was condemned as his
murderer, is more likely to confront you
in this house than anywhere else?"
"Why do you say these things to me,
Count de Lisle?" she asked, leaning back
in her chair and regarding him between
her narrowed eyelids. 'sDo you think it
is quite considerate? I am not of hys-
teric temperament, but if I have any
nerves, you are not taking the best
means to soothe them; and what has my
late husband to do with our acquaint-
ance or with this dinner? / am not su-
perstitious; 1 don't believe in ghosts. ac-
cepted your invitation to come here be-
cause I wanted to come; wanted to
greet the first guests who came to Harry
Trent's house. At the time of his death
he was planning reception here, and il
it had taken place I should have been
the hostess. Our marriage, as you may
for long time the injustice of my posi-
ton, and I looked forward very eagerly
to that reception in our own house as a
public recognition and acceptance. In
stead of that was forced to tell my
own story in a courtroom.
'tIt was more of a disgrace than vim
dication. Now, after years have passed,
and have kept to myself, your request
appeared to me in the light of a long de-
layed opportunity. Society here knows
that this house has just passed from my
hands to yours, and I am glad to be able
to stand here beside you tonight and
say 1t was mine to give, and gave itr
do not mind their criticisms. I have
the means and the power to take my
place in New York society, and tonight
my new life begins. If ! meet with
some antagonists, SO much the better; it
will make life more interesting. don't
wish to stagnate in success any more
than in failure. l have sometimes
thought that I should value deadly
enemy more than the dearest friend.
War is wholesome. Well" she added,
in different voice, rising and standing
before him with smile, "what do you
think of met"
81 was not mistaken in you," said the
count, nodding his head amusingly. 81
ask forgiveness for my discourtesy and