Catoctin clarion., 1897-06-10

to dav its warmtst friends. For sale by Dl
j. X. Waters.
tear him so mucn. 10 nave attempted
to overthrow you by questioning the
means that had obtained you your wealth
would have been desperate enterprise.
Even robbers and murderers, if they be
strong and resolute enough, need fear
nothing. But to have given your heart
to girl-that was another matter! You
could be reached through her."
"And you? Are you impregnable?"
asked he.
''Only in so far that if l saw my way
to accomplish what supremely desire I
would let nothing deter me. was an
innocent little girl once, but even then I
had strong desires, and without any op-
portunity to carry them out. l made
some serious mistakes, and suffered from
them, but l had had my way, and 1
found that most failures in this world
are due to not having been INSCRIPTIONS
enough. 1t needs courage to begin, but
when you discover what it is to be with
out scruples you wonder why anybody
is controlled by them. They are the
great shareholders of the human race.
But l was going to say that | should be
willing to put in your hands any evil
dence against myself that you might re-
quire for my destruction rather than
forego the purpose have in view"
'What is your purpose?"
"The poets say that love is lord of all,
you know. have had my doubts of
that, and l want you to settle them.
You think you love Olympia Raven.
How much would you be willing to SIC
riice to save her life:"
''That is a hypothetical question.
could answer it only after l was made
certain that her life was in danger"
"Whether she lives or dies depends
upon the result Of this interview She
is in my power-as the people in melo-
drama say. What becomes of her de-
pends on my will"
The count, who had been sitting with
his elbows on his knees and his eyes low
cred, looked up, and his glance and Sal
lies met. What she saw in his mind
sent quick flush to her face. For a mo-
ment she held her breath. No soldier in
battle was ever nearer death than Sallie
then. But she had resolute heart, and
when she drew her breath again it was
with smile.
''Do you always carry a revolver" she
said. "We are alone in the house, ex-
cept my maid. | could have protected
myself, but | am sufficiently protected
by circumstances. 1t has been arranged
that if anything happens to me Olympia
will not long survive me-"
"Have we not had enough of this:?'
asked he. ''Do you really expect me to
accept your statements as facts?"
81 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 did she not wear it on the
evening when you last saw her?'
He shrugged his shoulders II have
given her many things-no doubt ring,
among others. She might have lost it,
and it might have been picked up; I
can't say"
'At any rate, will restore it to you,"
said Sallie. at 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 it and took out ring It
was il black diamond in an antique set
ting. 1t was one Of the jewels that had
been contained in Napoleons 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, "Well?"
"Well, then, | return to my question:"
said Sallie, leaning back and stirring her
tea. "What would you be willing to
sacrifice to save her lfe!"
Il see no reason why should discuss
the question with you," said the count.
II 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
to obtain 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
Il 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 imperturbability
as he could command. And, indeed,
since it was true, us 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.
"Step over to the corner" said her
mistress, "and tell Mr.. Garcia l want
him."
The maid went out, and moment
after the count heard the street door
close.
81 am sensitive on some points" Sallie
observed, ''and you hurt my feelings. l
am building no house of cards, Count de
Lisle; | am perfectly i'll earnest, and am
not so childish as to attempt to fight You