Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-05-27

or hellx, affordlng easy sitting room TO-
all the guests, and yet keeping them al
in sight and speaking distance of on,
another. The table service was India1
porcelain, with center pieces of silver
wrought by hand. At the upper end Of
the saloon fountain splashed in great
basin of crystal, surrounded by delicate
ferns, and behind silver trellis work
covered with growing vines, were &C.
commodations for musicians. The count
explained to his companion that the table
was SO contrived that it could be re.
moved in n few minutes, and the floor
left free for dancing. 81 have some other
little features" he added (Which will
appear when the time comes; will not
tire you by forcing you to review them
now. You have seen enough"
The beautiful Sallie sighed. She was
an ambitious woman, and she loved
splendor and power. She understood
that Count de Lisle had suggested more
than he had performed in his prepara-
tions for this unparalleled entertain
mcnt. Everything was made to appear
rs simple as possible; only IN educated
intelligence could divine tho enormous
resources necessary to create this result
She had dreamed of such resources, and
was conscious of the ability to admins
ter them, had she had them. BY her
side stood the man who could, if he
would, endow her with them. He and
she together could command as brilliant
destiny as had ever fallen to the lot of
mortals. She drew long breath and
arched her brows. Had she not within
herself the means to attract him? Was
not the fact that she was here tonight
an indication Of his preference She put
her hand within the arm he offered her
and leaned upon it, and looked up in his
face.
You are not disappointed" he said.
II have never been content till now,"
she answered.
you are quite content, then?"
"Yes--almost!"
He met her glance as if he understood.
and accepted yelled meaning in her
words. They moved out of the saloon
and returned to the reception room.
II will take you upstairs" he said,
Ito the room which l have placed at
, your exclusive disposal for the evening.
There you can rest while | attend to
what remains to be done. There is still
m hour or two before the guests will
arrive. When it is time | will sum
mon YOU"
They mounted to the second floor ac-
cordingly, she still leaning on his arm.
lie left her on the threshold of the
room, and the door closed behind her
as she entered. There was fire of logs in
the fireplace, and in the chandelier a
score OF flames burned steadily. The
room was like the chamber of fairy
princess. Every appliance that could
render woman's existence luxurious
and exquisite was there; every sense was
nattered, every soft impulse stimulated
She moved about, resting her eyes on
ono delight after another. The bed, the
toilet table, the washstand, the low
chairs and divans, the soft rugs under
foot, the walls hung with lovely tapestry,
the numbelless minor beauties of decora-
tions that only women of certain fine
ness of taste and temperament know how
to appreciate-all seemed designed for
her. Was it 80, indeed?
She seated herself at length and fell
into long revcry. Opposite to where
she sat was tall and wide mirror, in
which she saw herself reflected at full
length. 1t was set in the wall, the heavy
bevel of the glass and it's frame of ebony
with ivory tiligrce pattern inaid showed
that it was a rare antique-such mirror
rs the magiCians of old time were tabled
to employ i'll necromantic mysteries.
One might expect to behold in it secret
scenes from the future or the past-re-
Elections from heart that kept its own
A dreamy mood came over the wom-
an. Her mind wandered vaguely from
one region of thought to another. She
sat with eyes half closed; all around her
was still. Glimpses of her earliest life
passed before her, and then pictures
nearer to the present and not so fair.
She strove to Danish them, and fix her
mind on the anticipation that had lately
suggested itself to her. TO be the mis-
,ress of this house-the wife of this man
the dispenser of his fortune! But by
! perverse infelicity her memory revert
~ w SiA''i t''ih III CiiC ACtt iJ'iJ'i IODul.
oho saw the court room, the JUDGE and
ury, herself in the witness box, and then
n the prisoners dock the pallid counte-
lance, framed in black hair, of the youth
Who was on trial for his life He was
he was dead; his look seemed
o reproach her for his DEATH
Either her eyes were dim or the room
lad grown strangely dusky What
light there was appeared to concentrate
N the mirror. In its depths figure
|arkly appeared, growing more distinct
8 she gazed upon it. What was it?
Jot her own reflection. She had not
moved from her position. No. This
gure stood erect; it was clothed in black
arments; it advanced from shadowy
background. 1t was the figure of man;
urely she had seen it before! Her nerves
rilled cold and her joints stiffened as
he looked. Was her visitor assuming
oncrete form before her eyes? The face
'as still obscure; but in that slowly in
reasing and lifting light it dawned into
ppalling visibility. And now it was re-
called! 1t was heit was Keppel Darke!
black veil seemed to swathe the lower
art of his countenance; his features
ere contorted in Il CHASTITY stare, direct {
upon her. He raised his hands and ap-
cared to struggle with the selnblance
a rope about his neck. Then he point t
to the floor at her feet, and with q ,
ldden flash of conviction she knew that i
liz room, so cunningly disguised, was l
10 room in which Harry Trent had t
lien, stabbed to the heart! With a d