Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-08-29
Continued.

smile. "You forget, count, I have
my guests to attend to-"
'And am 1 not one?" he asked
quietly.
Alice opened her fan and moved
it to and fro, but did not answer.
80 you were frightened in the
ruins today?" went on the count,
drinking in the fair loveliness of her
face with passionate avidity.
eyes; but it was very stupid OF
me- Please do not think me
coward
"And if you are afraid in broad
daylight, how can you have the
courage to sleep in a room with all
these glorious jewels?"
He touched a glittering bracelet
as he spoke.
81 am not frightened in my own
apartment Alice said, wondering
lust little at the way in which
he always discussed the diamonds.
The count noticed her surprise. He
adroitly changed the conversation.
"Ah, you should see the wonder
full caves and weird hooks I have be-
held in my travels. Ghosts and
spirits dwelt in them, indeed!'
II should be glad to- travel and
see other lands,''
Alice spoke dreamily.
"You wouId?" broke in the count.
"Ah, how would you like to leave
this desolate place, and see nothing
but blue sky, sunshine and flowers?
Fancy a garden, with orange groves
seeming the air, with terraces
leading down to bay as blue-as
blue as your starlight eyes! One
can be happy in a home like that"
''Do you know of such a placer"
the girl asked, eager to continue this
conversation.
eyes, l know of such paradise.
1t is mine-all mine Now it stands
empty and deserted 1t only waits
f-r a mistress-a mistress fair, lovely
as the sun, with gentle grace and
maddening eyes such as yours.
Yes, you are
Count"
Alice rose quickly, but his arm
stole round her slender waist.
Yes, yes-you are the only wo-
man in this wide world that could
bring happiness in such a home.
Have not my eyes spoken clearly?
Did you not understand? Alice-my
Lady Alice-listen! I will take you
away from all this gilded misery.
You are wretched here. I can give
YOU more-love Yes, girl; you
cannot comprehend what passion
is devouring my heart. For you
live alone, for love you!"
"Let me go!" breathed Alice,
wrenching herself from his grasp.
GLOW dare you? How dare you in
suit me like this!"
'Insult!" the man laughed. what!
you pretend you have not seen my
love?"
"Your love!" repeated the girl with
deepest scorn. ST have seen nothing.
If I had, should I have come here
to bear your insults. Go-go-at once!
coward! I .scorn you! I hate you!"
"Hate met Beware Lady Darrell!
am your friend, your lover now, but
make me your enemy and ] Will
fight you to the end"
The girl drew up her figure to it's
full height, and pointed to the door
way
"Go!" she said quietly. ''I am not
frightened A man to use threats to
a woman must be a coward. Col"
The count turned, then swiftly
moving back, he seized her arm and
pressed his lips to it with a pas
sionate force that hurt her.
''You shall sue to me yet,' he
murmured ''You shall be in my
power-I swear it,"
Alice stood watching his retreating
form. Her hand was clenched on her
arm where his lips had touched it.
She felt sick and i'll, and was trem-
bling in every limb. She put out
her hands wildly. Pride had lent
her strength, but now when she was
alone her strength went quickly, and
scarce knowing where she was, she
sank on to the couch, white and
almost insensible.
Her eyes closed. She did not see a
mans figure enter the doorway and
approach. She dimly head a sud
den exclamation, and knew no more
till she felt herself gently lifted and
cIasped in a pair Of arms.
Then she opened her eyes, and her
glance fell on the handsome face of
Roy Darrell.
''You are ill., he said hastily.
"What is it? What has happened?"
She drew her hand across her eyes;
then with a shudder remembered
all. Her lips opened to speak of the
counts perfdv and insult. but she
suddenly recollected that he was the
earI's guest. and checked herself.
''I am tired,' she murmured; "the
ride was long, and the evening has
tried me-"
eyes. yes, you are quite fatigued.
Why not retire to your room. My
mother will relieve you Of the rest
Of your duties"
Z.