Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-06-17

had been passed with him whore words
that were not also acts seemed worth
uttering. He continued to gaze with q
certain gloomy curiosity at Sallie. In
heart more savage and cruel than a wild
beast, In morality Faustina-and all
this incarnated in gentle, low voiced,
pstxician hammered beauty.
Sirens in Tophet must be like her;
and that she was q 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,
tastedit, altered it, and finally, when it
suited her, drank 1t, just as the door
opened to admit Garcia.
"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 60 and res
cue hex. You know the reward he offers
ten million dollars, is 1t not7 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 I have been
kind. Have you the heart to let that
poor innocent girl perish, when by a word
you can save her, ruin me, and do your
self the highest service7 Tell the count
plainly and relieve his suspense"
Garcia turned to the count and gave
him dark, Indifferent look, rs if there
- l.; 10
erhood.
"Yon had better do as she Wishes" ne
said in cold tone "She has the power
to do what she threatens, and she will
carry it ont if you defy her"
"Do you knoV 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.
She cannot survive indefinitely in her
present state"
"What do you mean by that? said the
count, with a note Of horror in his voice.
''She has been in the trance from the
first, replied Garcia. "She is Of deli
cate organization, and she is sinking
every hour"
''You see, my dear count" said Salfie
with soft laugh, chow injudicious you
were to distrust me. If you had met me
frankly and cordially all might have
been settled by this time. OF course you
know that Garcia alone can awaken
Olympia from her trance, ard that he
has only TO refrain from awakening her
to cause her death. Are you satisfied?
or is there any other person you would
like to see and question:
What do you wantr' demanded the
count; II am at your service"
CATER all. think what you are doing"
Sallie said. "Why not let tho girl die
and forget her? There arc many others
in the world more beautiful and desir-
able. Will you for the sake of this frail
creature, who may die next week in any
case, put yourself absolutely in the
power Of your worst enemy Think bet
ter Of it, Count de Lisle."
II entreat you to have some mercy!'
''The Count de Lisle entreats me for
mercy! This is new role, indeed, for
him to play" she exclaimed, in mock
admiration. "Did you not tell me half
an hour ago that you were desperate
nan-with revolver, too! And you
entreat me-Sallie Matchin-the forger,
the murderess, the courtesan who buys
men with her favors-you entreat me
for mercy! Where is your self respect,
my dear COUNT"
'Garcia, will you do nothing"
'tOh, this Is too badr' exclaimed Sallie.
"You ought to be protected against your
self! You are excited, and don't realize
what you are about. haven't the heart
to take advantage of you Take my ad-
vice: Have me arrested for my crimes;
am sure to be convicted, and then you
are rid of me forever. Olympia will be
dead, but what of that! The world win
be at your feet. Your path will be clear
There will be no limit to your ambition,
Come, be man! Say the word! Here
I am, ready for the scaffold. l could
not escape you if l would. Will not the
pleasure Of witnessing my death agony
compensate you for sentimental pang
or twor'
"That is enough" interposed Garcia
gioomily. HE cannot suffer any more.
Get the papers and let him sign them.
You have had your amusement"
He spoke with an air of authority
that gave new aspect to his mysterious
character. The man seemed to change
his Individuality as easily as ordinary
men change their clothes.
"Well," said Sallie with sigh, "what
Solomon said is true, Though you bray
fool in a mortar, yet will not his folly
depart from himp will get the papers.
Meanwhile do you tell him the purport
of them"
She left the room, and Garcia turned
to the count, who sat white and trem-
bling in his chair.
"You are to be brought back to the
station in life from which you rose,'
said he. "The deeds which you are to
sign transfers your property to Others.
You will execute q paper stating your
true name and confessing that you are
the murderer of Harry Trent. This will be
used against you in case you should at
tempt to recover what you have sur
rendered. In other words, your life as
well as your fortune will hereafter be at
the disposal of this woman. Are you
content"
eff Olympia is saved am content"
answered the other.
"She will be conveyed this afternoon
to your house ON Long Island. said Gar