Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-11-12

condemn them, n philOSOphiZe on the
usefulness of such beings on earth, their
~hideousnesS and evident discomfort
with life. Whenever we came across
them our loathing increased. 1t hap
pened one afternoon as we were seated
on the parapet of the tower overlooking
the dense stretch of wooded country
to westward, and the silver serpent
river. whose color deepened with the
setting of the sun, till the whole be-
came Il winding line of molten crimson
at our feet. that a strange emotion.
caused by the wondrOus scene, stirred
us both. We turned to look at II an
other. when the sight of their vile fig
ures intercepted glances, and their
querulous voices echoed in the great
silence-petty, stupid. mean.
Il wonder that they cal even think of
such things" | said a little hotly,
whereat an odd look crept into UgO's
eyes, which made me feel suddenly in
dignant. No doubt he was comparing
me to them. How small of him to do
that! How | disliked the way he dan
gled his feet against the parapet, his
sword between his knees, | rose up
and went in. He could listen and en-
joy the company of those horrible peo-
pie if he liked, since he could not see
any difference between them and me.
| went disconsolately to my room and
watched from my window, and the
tears crept into my eyes as thought
that surely Ugo and | would never be
the same to one another again. Whilst
| sat and dreamily pondered, the idea
entered my head that this strange pair
had come between u.s.; that they had
cast the evil eye on us-the evil eye. |
shudder as n sense of the reality of the
superstition assailed me. | recollect-
ed that they had appeared ut the inn on
the day of Il quarrel. For seven days
Ugo and | had been as strangers to one
another, and they. they would sever us
for all time. | leaned out of my win
dow. gazing down on the parapet be-
meath me, on which Ugo still sat. The
horrible woman was looking Mt him
ever as | was, and the n mumbling
to himself. | could have laughed out
loud from very rage, for Ugo seemed to
he mesmerized to the spot. bathed in
the crimson light from the setting sum-,
with a look in his eyes that was not
his. n look of one enthralled by evil.
Far below, the river seemed a way of
blood, and the forest trees black and
immutable. The idea of blood entered
my soul. and with it Il terrible thought.
| shivered and closed the
then fastened away to escape from the
grcwsome notion that seemed to pursue
me and take possession Of my will.
| had done it. The awful idea had
returned to me.
In the late evening | stole through
the dark corridor to her room, and all
the way l laughed to myself, for the
strange madness so possessed me that
| had neither fear nor horror. Then |
crept away down the stairs and ont
into the open by the flowing river.
There, as the cool air famed nv fever
ish face. | thought had done right:
she was an evil, horrible thing who
would harm lis. But, Ugo. What will
he think? Still, said aloud, | am glad.
| an glad.
why are you glade"
turned round with a little cry rs
Cgo came II of the darkness and
Joined me.
Il could not rest" he went on quite
naturally, 80 | came out here. | did
not expect to find you" he continued,
with no warmth In his tone, adding,
Those people got on my mind. / felt
an irresistible desire to go and smother
that hrutc-kill him. | wish ] had;
but somehow hadn't the courage"
"Ugo.'
What is IT," he said.
Il have done It,"
"What?"
Il have killed her"
you are mad!'
Il have killed her" l repeated.
He remained silent, pale to the lips,
then said, hurriedly: NO one can pos
sibly know you did lty
"No-unless-"
'Unless?'
"He-he should divine"
But he must die, tool' He sprang
away from my side, bitten by my mad.