The morning times., 1897-02-28

The count shrugged his shoulders.
''Pah.' said he curtIy, If you can make
those rats fight, you are a clever man
They ran at Minden Ike deer from the
dogs. Let Us sit TO supper and forget
them"
He led the way To an adjoining dining
room, even a larger chamber than the one
they quilted; and they sat together at the
end Of long table feebly lit by eight wax
lights. The t0OthIeSs old man. A rInand,
waited upon them, Ike a ghOstIy image
from the gloom in which the greater part
Of the room was plunged. For a while
neither Of the brothers spoke a word, eat
ing silently, and scarce looking az one
another. The supper itself was Of the
pldiEeSt-a Capon dish Of spinach, some
tender slices OF venisOn-and for drink,
ehampa gne in long Goblets OF sparkling
cut glass. Eugene said TO himself Tor the
second time when he lifted such a goblet
and drank deeply Of the foaming draugh5
that old Antonio. the physician 70 Nine
Coriune, was a fool. There was no such
thing as purple glass upon the table
How, then, could lie avoid that within il?
They had tCld him hogs tale. Surely,
ii was one OF pretty Corinne's jests. For
truth, lie was half CT mind TO hint
To his brother the cruel SANDER put around
about him; but, restraining himself, he
began to talk OF the Hotel BeaUtTeIlis,
and Of its fascinating mistress.
You have seen CCrinne lateIy?" he
asked, indifferently.
The count lOokedup quickly.
You speak Of Nile de Montesson?' said
he
Certainly DO. But I thought you were
such good friends
Count Charles shrugged his shoulders.
II know her 4 little said he. with as
sumed nonchalance, and you--'
on said Eugene, with whole-hearted
energy, I know her very we'll indeed,
BROTHER
Tue count put cut his glass that Armand
might fill it with champagne The ao-
tion Helped him to conceal from Eugene the
deep flush upon his face, ana the angry
brightness of his eyes. But ne said 10
word to bctray himself; and began Cleveriy
to talk Of other subjects with a IoQuacity
quite foreign TO him As for the younger
nan, though he was quite content now To
believe that Corinne had told him
silly story, none theleSs didthe influence Of
his surroundings weigh heavily upon him
His heart was dark as the great room
| in which he sat; and just as in that
| chamber eight candles cast an aureola
| of light at its center, so In his own
| heart was there glow of light when he
/ remembered his love for pretty Corinue-
| shall l ever see her again. he asked
! 4 relentless forebodIng warned him that
| he might not. Danger seemed all about
| him. He knew that his brother hated him
| hated him because his mother had loved
him; hated him for his looks, his friends,
| his successes But he did not know then
that he hated him most Of all because
| of the words which he had spoken about
| little Corinne.
Supper was done now; and the count,
| pushing back his chair from the table.
| seemed to be in a more generous mood.
| Armand he cried, to the tOOthIesS
old serving man, .bTing a flask OF Ar
| magnac and set glasses. You can go
| to the lodge, then
| Eugene was surprised at the request.
"Do you live alone here. brother?'' hs
asked
Certainly" replied the count; "sm
I not a soldier who has been alone all my
| life?''
1t was q bitter question, and Eugene
shuddered-he knew not why. Far from
fearing his brother now, he pitied him and
would have been very glad to have said
so; but Just when the word was upon his
fps, Armand returned with the flask OF
thewine of Arlna gnac and two long glasses,
which he wiped and set carefully upon the
| table. Eugene observed their color i'm
mediately. They were OF deep purple
tint. ''Ciel,' he murmured TO himself.
while his leaTt beat fast and the blood
rushed to his brain, ''the purple glassr'
In the same moment. Armand left the room
and a little while after a gate in the court
yard was shut with loud elang. The
brothers were alone in the house OF
gloom
To be Concludedl