Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-06-03


mcuneu W ruse1it any aJJempJ 10 arouse
her to living interest in what was pass
ing around her.
"rm afraid" said Toms wife TO her
husband, as he was putting on clean
shirt for dinner, "that Olympia was
thrown off her balance by that hypno-
tizing business. Nobody really under
stands what these frances are; and there
may be more harm in them than we
imagine"
'She1l come around all right" an
swered Tom, with cheerful optimism.
"Every young unmarried girl goes queer
once in while; and quite proper, tool"
Olympia did not herself know any
thing of the mysterious part she had
played on the night of February twenty
fifth. Ithad accidentally transpired some
time before that she was an exceptionally
good subject for hypnotic experiments,
and the count had intimated that she
might, If she chose, become instru-
mental In discovering the murderer of
Harry Trent. She finally consented. on
condition that she be not informed of
the manner in which her power was
used. She was willing to become an in
strument in the cause of justice, but
shrank from being made privy to the
means adopted. Garcia, after the first
experiments, was able to throw her into
a trance without her even knowing of
his proximity; and it had thus been pos
sible to take her to the counts house and
back again without any consciousness Of
the transaction on her part. But the
experience had had other effects upon
her which were not as yet suspected by
any one.
She was sitting at the piano one after
noon when the count came in. The air
was stin vibrating with delicate har-
monies, softly tuned into life by her fin
gers, as she turned to meet him. 1t was
the first time he had come to her since
the night of the ball.
II was thinking about you, Count de
Lisle," she said, as she gave him her
hand, land l was expecting you"
'That is good news" he replied. "Can
l be of any use to youp"
She looked at him while he was speak
ing in a singular manner, as if she saw,
not his physical self, but something
within that or emanating from it. Her
eyes sparkled, and their glance was not
fixed, but wandered from point to point
of the counts face A smile glimmered
on her lips and was gone, and again re-
turned, like light upon dimpling water.
Though she sat still, there was subtle
unrest perceptible in her, rs if the
thoughts that traversed her mind to and
fro loft vibrations and fine STRINGS in
her palpable organism. In the shadowy
room Olympia seemed spiritualistic and
to possess spiritual powers, so that the
count felt as if she could see what was
In his brain as easily as she could see his
face.
1.-The time is come when we must
part" she said, after pause.
"PartI What do you mean? Where
are you going? What has happened?'
lie was startled out of his customary
self possession, and spoke impulsively.
Eyes, Count de Lisle, we must part"
che repeated, smiling still mysteriously.
And we must never meet again, in this
world CT the next"
She said this so decisively and yet so
quietly that the count was dumfounded.
He could not think she was jesting, and
vet how could she be in earnest? He had
been fattering himself Of late that she
had been learning to regard him with
anything but Indifference Even now,
though her words were SO strange, her
manner had never had such attractive
ness.
"Why must we part?' he demanded.
'.Give me reason. What has happened
to change you since ! saw you lastr'
'Can you give me reason why we
should not part?" she returned.
Eyes, cant" said he, "a personal rea-
Son"
"Ah!" she said quickly, II have per-
sonal reason on the other side"
"What is it2'
She turned on the piano stool on which
she had been sitting, and began to touch
the chords Of the instrument, but 30
lightly that they responded, as it were,
in a whisper of melody.
II have something to do" she replied.
~ have lost three years already. l can
not go on so. I must devote myself to
that only"
ITO what7 Cannot help you?"
"You don't know what you are ask
ing, Count de Lisle," she replied, glano-
ing at him over her shoulder. You
know-I have told you-that love some
one. I wish to devote myself to him.
how can you help me in that"
"Do you mean"-
~ mean Keppel Darke. There is no
one else that can love"
"Ah-Keppd Darke! You are jest
ing, after all A sentiment-a memory
lis not love. This is not your true rea-
son. Why do you play with mel"
"Do you think Keppel Darke Is dead7"
asked Olympia, harmonizing her tones
with the notes she was drawing from
the keys. II thought 80 once, but I
have begun to feel that he is alive. I
know it in my heart. I see him in
dreams. He Is often near me. I am
happy in this communion with him,
Whatever disturbs it I wish should
cease. And nothing disturbs it so much
as the Count de Lisae."
"Olympia, you are not speaking seri-
ously; you are smiling"
"Why should not snaile7 amhappy.
What am to your
"You are everything to meT he said
impetuously. II love you'll"
els that the first time you have said
those words to woman she asked, fac
ing him.
The question embarrassed him, and he
hesitated. She laughed.
II will not take you at your word, ="
she said. "Keppel Darke loved no one