Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-02-28

hail. the walls OF winch We're covered with
rusting armo. But the place was for
saken and unlighted save for the poor
rays which fell from the candle in the Ian
tern; and, indeed. the whole house was full
of a silence as of the silence of death. 1t
was a tremendous relief to Eugene when
at last he entered the great salon and be-
held his brother standing near to receive
him. Every suspicion, every doubt, all the
horrid stories he had heard at the Hotel
Beautreillis were forgotten in a moment.
Kinship, even affection, succeeded to them
during the instant of warm welcome.
Brother" he said, coming forward with
a light step, and STOPPING TO kiss the Count
upon the cheeks, "brother,it is good to see
you again"
Count Charles suffered rather than re-
turned the greeting. He was man per
haps of forty years of age; his face pitted
with the smallpox; his nose squat and up
turned; his beard short and stubby; his
eyes. very bright and very small. He wore
a suit of black velvet with ruffies of white
lace. but his vest was embroidered with
silver and the buttons of L were picked
out with diamonds.
MY brother" said he, his restless Eyes
blinking the while, Il heard that you were
named for a command in Westphalia. It
was natural that I should wish to see you
before you go"
1t sounded almost like an apology, but
Eugene, refusing to notice the hesitation
and hating manner, became frankness
itself
1T is true he answered, that 1 have
command, Charles-though there is little
hope left to us of the war. I am sure you
wish me God-speed, for l am to have your
old company in Condos legion"
The Count shrugged his shoulders.
"Pah." said he CURLY, IF you can make
those rats fight. you are n clever man.
They ran at Minden like 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 a long table, feebly lit by eight wax
lights The toothless old man, Armand,
waited upon them, like a ghostly image
from the gloom in which the greater part
of the room WIS plunged. For a while
neither of the brothers spoke a word eat
ing silently and scarce looking at one an
other. The supper itself was of the plain
est-a capon, dish of spinach, some ten
der slices Of venison-and for drink, cham
payne in long goblets Of sparkling cut
glass. Eugene said to himself for the sec
ond time when he lifted such a goblet and
drank deeply of the foaming draught that
old Antonio. the physician to Mademoi-
selle Corinne. was a fool. There was no
such thing as a purple glass upon the table.
How. then. could he avoid that within it?
They had told him a hogs tale. Surely 1t
was one of pretty Corinnes jests. For a
truth. he was half of mind % hint to his
brother the cruel SANDER put around about
him: but. restraining himself, he began TO
talk of the Hotel Beautreillis and of its
fascinating mistress.
You have seen Corinne lately?" he ask
ed indifferently.
The Count looked up quickly.
you speak of Mademoiselle de Monies
ton?" said he.
Certainly do; but thought you were
such good friends.
Count Charles shrugged his shoulders.
81 know her a little" said he, with as
sumed nonchalance, and you
oh" said Eugene. with whole hearted
energy. L know her very well. indeed,
brother"
The Count put out his glass that Ar
mand might fill il with champagne. The
action helped him to conceal from Eugene
the deep flush upon his face. and the angry
brightness Of his eyes. But he said no
word to betray himself; and began cleverly
70 talk of other hubjects with loquacity
ouite foreign to him. As for the younger
man. though he was quite content now 10
believe that Corirne had told him silly
story. none the less did the 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 aupreola OF light al It's
centre. so in his own heart was there
glow of light when he remembered his love
for pretty Corinne. Shall 7 ever see her
arain?" he asked \ 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