Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-10-03

but can ne 90 II! asked lame
Burden eagerly. "You know what
Myra isl
II think he'll succeed. Now go
and look after her." nodding his
head towards the inner chamber.
II am going to- have breakfast, and
here, perhaps you'd better hand
me back that ring-it may be safer?"
Who's to see it here, George"
the old woman excla imed. Don't
take it from me! I've worked hard
and well for you, and / don't ask
much paying. These dingy old vaults
can't split on u.s."
Cali right" said the count; you'll
be leaving the dingy vaults in two or
three days, and then you can sport
your friends at-you know where.
''And right glad shall be, >"
grumbled Dame Burden, busying her.
self with his breakfast. "These ruins
amt to my fancy. I've a horror we
shall be trapped in them like rats,
one of these days."
Don't be a fool" exclaimed the
man angrily, turning a shade paler.
'tThese ruins, as you know, are sup
posed to be haunted. None of the
villagers would come near to save
their lives, and as to the big folk,
there is nothing to bring them except
now and again on a very rare oc-
casion-theres no one to invite them.
Dame Burden. You forget we are not
hospitable.''
The old woman laughed.
But who does own them, George
she asked. 81 did hear, but I've for
gotten-some old man who is travel
ing abroad; we've nothing to do with
him, and lie isn't likely to come here,
as he hates the whole country and
the very name of the ruins. Now go
to her. She may be awake. Take
her some of those shawls, and look
after her we'll. You understand"
and Count Jura turned away.
Dame Burden nodded her head and
shufied towards the inner room
where Alice lay, glancing ever and
anon at her dirty hand, with its
glittering jewel shining in the gloom
like glorious star
Alice moved restlessly. The old
woman moistened her lips and
smoothed back the masses of hair
from the flushed face. Then, not
understanding the indistinct muir
murings that fell from the girls lips,
she sat down beside the couch and
watched her diamond with a greedy
Look on her sinister face
From this she fell into doze, then
into sound slumber, which lasted for
many minutes, while Alice tossed and
moaned in the burning delirium that
had seized her for the time.
She had no knowledge of where
she was; she had no clearness of rec
election; her brain was occupied
with strange and horrible fancies that
racked her mind and filled her with
a sense OIL vague and unfathonable
terror.
Count Jura was too much occupied
at first to notice the silence. He
was talking quickly and earnestly to
Paul Ross.
The latter was pale and gloomy.
IT did not think you coward,
Paul." the count said with a sheer,
after listening to the other for
time
''Nor am To- answered Paul with an
ugly look passing over his face. 81
am careful-that is all"
CAREFUL"
eyes, George. Something warns me
we ought to cry off this Grange
affair. You don't know Godfrey
Armistead-I do. He is a cat that
smells out the mice when least ex-
pected. I dread him. Besides, what
have we to get from there? Armi-
stead's home is not Darrell castle, re-
member. We have enough plate to
stock ship
eve can't have too much re
turned the count. 'My mind is
made up, Paul. We have everything
arranged. I shall go on
'Then go yourself!" exclaimed
Ross roughly, ''for I will not be in
it!''
ct think you will, Paul.
Count Jura rose and put his hand
on the others shoulder, while cold
glitter came into his eyes.
Paul shifted the hand from his
shoulder.
'I will not" he answered sullenly.
"Then I shall inform Dan Lowry
when go up to town that the man
he is seeking, the man who ruined
and murdered his wife, is none other
than P"
''Hush-for Gods sake, hush! I
will go, curse you! May you never
be in such push yourself! Let the
plant go on, and if the worst does
come, Master George, give you fair
warning, you shall stand in the dock
with mel swear it!'
The count simply shrugged his
shoulders.
Don't let your anger carry away
all your wisdom, mon ami" he said
with a smile as he lit cigar. "The
plant will not fail And even if it