Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-23
Chapter xxx1v.-(conttnued.)

scene Of such high revclry WIS now as
Still! us a vault.
AStrea tremhled more at the still
ness than She had at the orgies
The visitors. wild us they WERE had
sill been felt as Il temporary protec-
ton.
Now She was defenseleSs. but for the
protection OF the little poniard.
Her room was i'll Scmi-darknnsS. be-
ing lighted Cniy by the slender bed
room candle. like child. she felt
more afraid in the dark. SO she softly
arose and lighted two large wax can
dies, that stood in silver candlesticks
upon the dressing table. hitherto more
for ostentation than service.
The room was now in Il blaze of
light. and AStrea. treasured. softly
wheeled her easy-chair around until it
faced Rumford's room, sat herself
down in it. unsheathed her little dag
ger, and fixed her eyes upon the COM
municating door with the vigilance Of
a cat watching Il rat-hole. She was re-
solved to die the instant Rumford
crossed the threshold. should he in
deed venture to intrude upon her pri-
vacy. But danger seldom approaches
us from the guarded point. 1t comes.
when it comes at all, from some UNI
suspected quarter.
Thus, while our heroine sat still With
the dagger grasped in her halfd and
her eyes liked upon the door. she felt
a heavy hand fall upon her shoulder,
and Il rough voice eXclaim:
What. Fora! actually sitting up
and waiting for me, III ylove? That is
very kind.'
1t was the hand and the voice Of
Rumford. who had entered by the door
leading into the passage, and stolen
upon her from behind.
With ringing shrek Astrea sprang
to her feet, in her haste overturning
her chair. that fell, with a loud crash,
to the floor.
The shrek of Astrea and the fall of
the chair reused up Venus, who rolled
herself about until she got her head
under the valance of the foot of the
bedstead. from which, had anyone
stopped low enough to observe, they
might have seen her black face and
shining eyes, looking out like wild
beast from its lair
Astrea had sprang several several
yards from Rumford, where she stood
like a lioness at bay-her form drawn
up to its haugl:;ioSt height her eyes
blazing defiance. her hand grasping the
dagger.
Rumford stood gazing upon ner. His
face was bloated. his eyes bloodshot,
his frame tremulous. He was in that
particular state of intoXication where
a man is still conscious of his acts,
though careless of their consequences
in word. when he is both rational
and reckless. He stood staring with
stupid admiration upon the beautiful
form OF Astrea. This new, fierce as
pect of her beauty seemed to add fuel
to the fire OF Ills passion.
"Splendil creature! you ara worth a
fillion of money! and Ill marry you
tomorrow, in spite of all the laws in
the land, if that is the price of Your
precious love" he exclaimed, and,
opening his arts. he advanced toward
her
"Stop" cried Astrea. in a high ard
ringing tone of command, that arrest.
ed him where he stood.
Come no nearer. on your life aid
soul! But look at me and listen from
where you stand. You see this dagger,
where have placed its point against
my throat. just over the cartorid art
cry; my hand is nerved to drive it to
Its l,ilt. Come, then. but one step near
or, ana drop dead, slain by my own
act!'
Rumford stared at her. appalled,, and
yet admiringly. He felt well assured
that lre uttered no vain threat. He
saw in that prOudly-erect form. on that
imperious brow. firm lips and flashing
eyes, Ii resolution impossible to defy.
His first impulse was 10 throw him
self upon her. disarm her. and have
her at his mercy. But he saw that she
stfsF atched him too closely; That Lis
. fhs ts.Step toward such an act must be
INSTANTLY fatal to her. He could. there
fore only seek to disarm her vigilance
SO; instead Of advancing toward her,
he'retreated, and began to walk slowly
up and down the room, as he an
sweEed:
Nonsense, Fora! what is the use of
your living out in that ferocious man
ner! Have l done you any wrong?
have offered you any violence?'
You have invaded the sanctity of
my private apartment. sir! and order
you to leave it at oncew commanded
Astrea.
''Stuff, girl. that is not the way in
Which you should speak to your mas
ter, anG | am your master. though
quite willing to become your slave. l
entered your room because l had Il
right to do so; and for the kindly pur-
pose of having some friendly CONVEX
sation with YOU"
AT. ; O'Clock in the morning. sir"
exclaimed -Astrea. with angry sccrn.
:Mhy not: l was up and dressed.
and so were you. l saw that through
the i%yholc of that communicating
door Deuce take it, how you watched
that door, Fora, One would have
tholght-you expected me-"
And YOU looked in upon my priva-
cy through keyhole? Oh, base,
though not baser than all your other
conduct! And so that was the reason
you entered by the passage door and
stole upon me from behind?"
Exactly. my girl. and to give you a
little pleasant surprisew
Then leave my room this instant,
sir! Every moment that you remain
here is an additional insult, WHY do
you not obey me?'
Because it is not the masters place
TO obey the slave. my girl"'
II am no slave. l have told Won who
end what l am, and need not repeat