The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-02-27
IMPERIHL MILLIONS
By JULIAN HAWTHORNE


Copyright. 1891. by American Press Associa-
tion.]
'sHave we not had enough of this:"
asked he. ''Do you really expect me to
accept your statements as factss
ST might leave you to suffer the conse-
quence of not accepting them. But
wish to spare you the pain of uncertainty
if can. Let me see. What can l do!
Would you like to see something of hers?
Did you not give her an engagement
ring? And Cid she not wSar it ON the
evening when you last saw herr"
He shrugged his shoulders. .I have
given her many things-no doubt ring,
among others. She might have lost it,
and it might have been picked up;
can't say"
cat any rate, I win restore it to you"
said Sallie. sit is not mine, and since
she no longer wears it you should have
the charge of it"
So saying, she drew the box toward
her, opened 1t ana COOK out a ring. II
was black diamond in an antique set
ting. 1t was one of the jewels that had
been contained in Napoleon's treasure
casket, and the count had given it to
Olympia as the pledge of their betrothal.
Such another ring did not exist in the
world. He knew that Olympia would
never willingly let it leave her finger.
The proof that the worst was true was
complete. He slipped the ring on his
own finger, and said, 'sWell?"
'sWell, then, return to my question"
said Sallie, leaning back and stirring her
tea. ''What would you be willing to
sacrifice to save her life?"
81 see no reason why ! should discuss
the question with you, said the count.
81 prefer to deal with those who have
the immediate charge of her. under
stand your plot, and that am to blame
for the success of it. | allowed Garcia
toobtain hypnotic control over her. You
won the poor creature toyour service, by
means it is easy to surmise! and pre-
vailed upon him to use his power to draw
her into your hands. But Garcia, hav-
ing received from you the price-the fa-
vor-promised him for his act, is now in
condition to bring forth fruits of re-
pentance. shall find means to induce
him to give me the information that
require. As for you, you have already
supplied all the information care to
trouble you for"
These words were slowly and deliber-
ately spoken, while his eyes were steadi-
ly fixed upon her face. He was taking
final chance, with such imperturbab
as he could command. And, indeed,
since it was true, as Sallie had herself
said, that no human being can be quite
sure of another, it was possible that
Garcia, who had already betrayed the
count, might now betray Sallie-assum-
ing that the count was right in his guess
as to Garcia's part in the affair.
But Sallie, if she felt uneasiness,
showed none. She clapped her hands to-
gether once more and the maid reap
peared.
'sStep over to the corner" said her
mistress, s'and tell Mr.. Garcia I want
him."
The maid went out, and a moment
after the count heard the street door
close.
81 am sensitive on some points, Sallie
observed, land you hurt my feelings. !
am building no house of cards, Count de
Lisle; / am perfectly in earnest, and am
not SO childish as to attempt to fight you
with shadows-as you fought me? AS to
your insinuation about my purchase of
your friend, will not deny it; you shall
Judge for yourself. 1t is your doubt of
my intelligence that gals me-not, of
course, the other insrl+n'
The count made no reply. The point
had been passed with him where words
that were not also acts seemed worth
Ia 10 xryffh
certain gloomy curiosity at Sallie. In
heart more savage and cruel than wild
beast, in morality Faustina-and all
this incarnated in gentle, low voiced,
patrician hammered beauty.
Sirens in Topnet must be like her;
and that she was woman was almost
enough to damn the whole sex. She
was not restless under his gaze; she in
vited him to take some tea, and on his
maintaining his silence she poured out
another cup for herself, favored it,
tasted it, altered it. and finally, when it
suited her, drank it. just as the door
opened to admit Garcia.
s'You know the Count de Lisle, Gar
cia," said Sallie in her musical tones
He wishes you to tell him where Olym-
pia Raven is, so that he may go and res
cue her. You know the reward he offers
ten million dollars, is it not? On the
other hand, tell him that unless he
agrees to certain very unreasonable con-
ditions of mine will have the girl killed
The count has been kind to you. You
know best whether or not l have been
kind. Have you the heart to let that
poor innocent girl perish, when by word
you can save her. ruin me, and do your
self the highest service? Tell the count
plainly and relieve bis suspense"
Garcia turned to the count and gave
him dark, Indifferent look, as if there
were in him no instinct of human broth
erhood.
"You had better do as she wishes" he
said in cold tone. 'She has the power
to do what she threatens, and she will
carry it out if you defy her.
"Do you know where Olympia Raven
is?' said the count.
''Yes; charmed her there. You can
never find her. Attempt no such folly
Comply at once or it will be too late.
Cha nopnof L..