Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-08-22
WornanAgainst Woman
.&BY.%
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.
Continued.
ABY&
MRS. NJ. A. HOLMES.

He scarcely knew what he said, SC
enthralled were his senses by his
passion and her beauty.
'TYou are attracted by the dia-
monds, not me-" Alice said hurried
ly, feeling a greater dread than ever
steal over her.
The hall was quite deserted; she
longed for glimpse of servant.
but no one was about, and she could
not pass down, for Count Jura stood
right in her path.
"Diamonds!" he repeated with a
start. For The first time he noticed
her jewels. They had escaped him.
1t was her radiant beauty that had
seized his eye 49," he said slowly,
'.you wear the celebrated Darrell
gems tonight, countess. You would
be good booty for robber."
Alice laughed nervously, but she
was thankful that the passion had
died out of his eyes, and she said
lightly:
eyes; but l am afraid of no rob-
bers"
Women are always brave" the
count observed. glancing now at the
sparkling gems with keen curious
lock; 'but [ don't mind confessing
that, man as I am, I should not care
to sleep in a room with these world
famous jewels. I should expect to
have very unsettled slumbers."
ST have never tried it!' Alice
answered, still lightly, though she
longed to get away from this man;
"but I shall do so tonight for the
first time. I will let you know to-
morrow whether my slumbers were
disturbed. / don't think I am very
much afraid. And now, count, it
is getting late. Will you pardon me
Il must &c"
The count bowed and stood aside
then leaned over the oak balustrade
and watched the dainty figure glide
down.
Tonight" he muttered; tonight,
she said. It's we'll. Paul shall not
accuse me of playing and not work
ing. And yet how fair, how beaut1-
full she is! What are diamonds 10
such loneliness as hers? If she were
but free, if l could but clasp her in
my arms and press my lips to hers!
Pshaw! I am raving-it can never
be! George, old fellow, wake up,
remember you have work to do to-
: night"
Alice passed on to the great salon.
The room was empty as she entered
It; she was early, but her courage,
instead Of sinking, rose higher and
higher as she walked through the
brilliantly lighted apartment, and
caught the reflection of her beautiful
form in the many mirrors.
She was standing by the fireplace
when the earl came in; her back was
turned. and seeing only a slender
graceful form, he hurried UP to 1t.
He carried a lovely bouquet OF flowers
in his hand.
Valerie" he said, in low passion
ate tones, st have kept my promise;
here are your flowers. Lady Oar
rell, you!" he exclaimed, as Alice
turned slowly and faced him. Then
almost invOluntarily he muir
INJURED. GLOW beautiful you are! Lei
NE congratulate you! You will IN
deed win all hearts tonight
'Thank you,' Alice answered quite
composedly, though her own heart
was beating wildly. What changt
had come into his voice. The frs
words had been love-laden, but the
next breathed only compliments.
At trust I am to your satisfac
ticn. You wish to find Miss Ross?-
She is not yet come down.
The earl flushed again, that strang'
fascination that Alice seemed t
exercise over MIN came into his mine
once more.
st brought her some flowers h
observed confusedly; she Away
likes them"
Flowers such as those are wortl
liking" returned the young countess
seeing his confusion, and pityin'
him. ST never saw so many wonder
full plants till I came here"
"Our lighthouses are considered yer.
fine-we must go over them TO
gether," cried Roy, forgetting al
about Valerie and the bouquet, AM
gazing at his lovely young wife will
a new sensation in his breast.
Alice'ss eyes dropped, she did no
wish him to notice her agitation.
ST am afraid it would be too mucl
trouble, my lord" she said, turnin
from him and forcing herself t
speak coldly.
"Troub1e-oh no! Tell me wha
hour you will be free tomorrow an'
I am at your service"
Alice felt a thrill of astonishmen
that melted into a moment of perfec
bliss.
81 am free all day." she murmured
"Then we can"
The earl got no farther, for tw,
people entered the room at this in
stants They were Count Jura an
Valerie, gorgeous in crimson satil
and her rubies and diamonds.
Roy watched his wife approach