Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-10-10


In another moment they had
mounted the steps, and Alice was
free.
She spread out her arms as if to
embrace the sweet air Of heaven,
and heaved great sigh of gladness.
"Now wait just one instant, while
I see if the coast is clear. Come, sit
in this corner"
Alice followed obediently.
1T pray you may not suffer for
my sake,'' she whispered earnestly.
''Ts Count-will that man be angry
with your"
Dame Burden chuckled.
'I amt afeard," she answered.
''Now just creep into this shadow, and
don't move until come to YOU
Alice nodded. She moved softly
behind the piece of ruin indicated,
and stood quiet, as the old woman
stole back.
She was not afraid. Out in the
sweet fresh night air, her senses re-
vived, her courage returned. She
was another being.
She longed to be out on the deserted
country road, flying away from the
den which had just imprisoned her;
and yet, would she not be flying from
all she loved?
Her thoughts went back to Roy.
The life of gilded loneliness in which
she had so often pinned, and from
which she had so longed to escape,
was ended. She was free.
| Roy, Earl of Darrell, was free.
and yet, for one touch of his hand,
one glimpse of his face, one single
CLEAN of hope that he believed in her,
she would have gladly sunk down and
dieu.
DASH zoe yy..cTe.y -yuNeie. wte(e
But this would never be now.
Some terrible strange dream had
separated her from the castle. She
felt that she could never return; and
Valerie cruel, gorgeous, handsome
Valerie-would be his wife.
Her head sank till it touched her
hands. Tears we're burning in her
eyes, but she forced them back, and
then the sound of some one approach
ing caused her to turn.
The tread was heavier than the old
won ans. A vague presentiment Of
corning evil fell on her. She clasped
her hands, and in another second
stood face to face with Count Jura.
The scream died on her lips. Her
heart was suddenly frozen with fear
Iofro6 of thic man
''Do not shrink from me, fair
countess" said Jura, breaking the
silence. IT will do you no HARM
''What does it mean?" breathed
rather than spoke Alice, drawing
back with aversion.
"What do you want with me?"
Nothing disagreeable, I hope. I
wish to help you"
"To help me now? Was it not
through you I came here? Help me!
Have you not scoffed enough, Count
Jura? What I have done that you
should have treated me so shameful
ly?"
"You use hard words, my Lady
A1iCC, IduSuIOu OOuuG ul AuICIIy ),
'but they cannot harm me. Used
you shamefully? Why, you insult
our home and all it's luxuries. Come,
be friends"
"Do not dare approach mel" gasped
Alice, shrinking from his outstretched
hand. 81 loath. detest you! You
are a coward to treat woman as
you are treating me! Let me go
the very sight of you is tortured"
60? Where to? Back to the cas-
tie box, took out match, and leis-
u1ely lit cigar. That would be
foolish, ma belle. You would only
exchange very comfortable quarters
for an iron cage-in other words
you would be imprisoned Immediate
ly for robbery
Robbery" repeated the girl,
blankly at first, then the truth
dawned on her. "Ah, I see-I under
stand! I know all. That ring
spoke plainly"
what ring?' demanded Count Jura
| roughly.
"She wore on her finger. I knew
it we'll, yet my memory would not
help me. But now, now 1 see all
with hideous clearness. You-you
are a thief, a.
"Hush!" The counts hand closed
over her lips. Another word" he
whispered savagely, land you will
repent this! Yes, the castle has been
robbed-robbed Of plate of diamonds
Of it's countess. Roy Darrell will
see none of his treasures back again
It is best you should know how WE
stand. I have taken you to my hanG
you are tied. Henceforth you are my
slave, to do as I will. No words
no screams, no weakness. Listen.
am flying from here this night
leaving the whole gang-and what
fer? For love-loye of you. We
shall start at once for that golden
land I sketched for you last night