The morning times., 1897-03-07
he was dead, yet suffered as the living

he was dead, yet suffered as the living
rarely have suffered.
But the count had got his breath again
now; and once more he stopped to his dread
ful work. The spot whereon he stood was
scarce a hundred yards from the black
waters Of the Seine. There was to be no
delay this time. Turning his eyes away
that he might not look upon his brother s
face again, lie gripped him by the left arm
and began to drag him toward the river.
Two PAGES he took, his foot was raised
for third--when the second omen of the
night sent him staggering back from his
burden like one stricken with a mortal
sickness. The omen was nothing less than
the sound of his name uttered from win
dow high up in the looming wall of the
chateau Clear above the rivers moaning
and the song of the poplars, the call came
Monsieur lie Comte, Monsieur lie Compile,
where is your brother. Eugcne?''
The Count turned around on his heel -
cry rrothed upon his lips he feeled back
ward, backward, saying that the Judgment
of God was upon him. The chateau, which
bad been dark when he left it five minutes
before, was now biazingwitblight. Every
room on the upper story shed bright
golden rays from its windows. Seen in
the strong moonlight, the great house had
become like palace of the fairies. The
panes of glass were so many stars shining
In setting of black stone: the very attics
We're beacons to guide those far away in
the valley More than all, man clothed
from head to foot in black stood plain TO
be seen at a easement aobve the salon, and
he it was who called Count Charles:
Monsieur lie Comte, Monsieur le Comte,
where is your brother Eucene?"
The count heard the call, and for u
moment terror convulsed him But fury
was quick to prevail above fear and with
q great oath upon his lips he drew a
dagger and ran back to the chateau. In
the same instant, the man in black disap-
peared from the window; and Eugene
watching it all with a hope not to he
described, observed that the bushes near
to him on the lawn opened suddenly, and
that men came out of them The face of the
first of these newcomers was hidden hy a
mask; but when the man stopped presently
TO pour the contents of phiai upon the
dragoon's lips, the mask slipped and
Eugene knew that old Antonio was at his
side.
MY son. said the old man, watching
the red drops fall upon the feverish lips,
awake and sleep"
.'Ciel, is 1t thou, Antonio?'' murmnred
Eugene knowing that thetrance had passed
from him the moment the drops fell,
.'oh. blessed be God-I live-I live
The minute was the most exquisite of
his life; but scarce had he realized the
meaning of it when a sweet unconscious
ness stole upon him, and he slept. And so
sleeping the men raised him iii their arms
and carried him quickly out Of the garden.
The afternoon OF the following day was
drawing to its close when Eugene sabauef
awoke from his deep sleep. A ray OF burn
ing sunlight striking down through the open
window Of his room In the Rue Charies V,
ien al length upon his eyes, and caused MN
to turn uneasily upon his bed. A moment
later he sat upright and began to stare
about him with the air of one who is not
quite sure either of the hour or OF his en-
vironment. In which occupation he en-
conntered the gaze of his servant, Bernar-
din. who stood at the beds head. as though
be had long been awaiting the moment.
.Sir., said tie valet. advancing with
his ma stcr's clothes, lit is O'Clock
and YOU know that we leave fafIs at .
VIII YOU be pleased TO rise?
.'Diayolo," cried Eugene, springing from
the bed with a light step-and he was
very surprised to find how strong he was
.have slept long, Bernardin?
Bcrnartlin shook his head
lyon were away from home when Il
left here at 10 O'Clock last night, my
master" said he ''but when / brought
vour coffee at O'Clock this morning
voa slept so soundly that could net wake
YOU
The dragon began to dress himself
cuicklv: remembering only that he had
orders to leave Paris at O'Clock that
night.
..sanp-bleu," muttered he to himself,
"I must have supped in some cabareI-
and drunk too much ATmagnac. What
n thing TO dream-that my brother poi
so1ed me. Bah, it was fooPs sleep
and l am paid for my folly Ana yet
could swear that / talked with Corlnne
at her house yesterday, and that she
promised to make me Count OF bilves
in twenty hours Dame, l am ike to
wait long for thatn
The reflection made him little gloomy,
reminding him as it did of how small had
been fortunes gifts to him, and how child
ish was hi hope that he might ever speak
Tn Corinne of his love for her. Were he