Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-05

possible, and longing TO catch sight of
Dorothy as she alighted from her car
riage at the reception, he went to the
hotel and stood around in the crowd
near the ladies' entrance. Here he was
met by Count Bantinni. The count had
such a strange CLEAN in his black eyes,
and for a wonder was not wearing even
ing dress.
Il want to have tall. with you," he
said in gentle tone. You have evaded
me for long time. L am your friend,
and will prove it. Come with me to my
apartments"
Gielow went with him to his cham
bers in the next block. It seemed to
him, from Bantinni's tone, that he had
something important to communicate.
Then what had happened? All, yes.
The count had turned up the gas in his
luxurious smoking-room and ordered
a bottle of wine. His first words were
the very soul of humble candor-and so
pathetic.
my friend said the count, 1--WE
ought to sympathize with each other
and bear no ill-will. am suffering the
pangs of hell. 1 love your sweetheart
with all my soul. | have loved her pas
SIODdtGlN SiEc0 Tie InOIuSHl ATSl DIV
her. I, too, am miserable. I walk the
streets in agony. 1 know how you feel,
and 1 sympathize with you
Tears were in Bantinni's eyes. He
took the 1istless hand of the artist and
pressed it. Gielow was. too unhappy
to repulse him, and by and by it seemed
that he really liked the Italian.
Il deaden my pain of heart" said the
count. You know that l understand
the use of hypnotism; apply it to my
self when L am most miserable. You
need rest; allow me to calm you. 1t is
very simple"
'I'd rather not said Gielow; but the
count had spoken soothingly, and then
why. that was the last thing he could
remember eNcepting-yes, in front Of
the studio building it seemed that the
count had detained him and told him
some absurd story about his having
killed Caruthers. That must have been
a dream, and yet-great God! the chains
and the celli Could he be in dun
geon for the murder of Caruthers?
GieIow managed to rise to his feet and
began to grope about him. He touched
the wall behind him. 1t was uneven,
like the inside of a cavern. He felt all
round the room. In size it was about
ten feet long by six in width. One end
was of bricks. and that end contained
an iron door. Gielow's intelligence told
him that he was not in prison. but it fur
nished no hint of the truth.
The hours passed. Gielow went back
to his corner and lay down on the bed
of straw. His knees shook and he was
very weak. Then the pangs of hunger
and thirst awoke in him.
A moment later he knew he was starv-
ing. Maddened by this realization, he
crawled to the door and beat upon it
with his handouts. He made a thun-
derous noise, but when the echoes had
died out the silence seemed even more
profound, more menacing than ever.
Again he beat upon the door till the
irons cut into his wrists.
Finally he was rewarded by noting
dancing pencil of light pierce the gloom
through crack owes the door, and
then he heard footsteps outside. y
bunch of heavy keys clanked, one was
fitted into Il rusty lock and the door
swung open. In the light of a lantern
which he held appeared the crafty fea-
+ lures ands glistening eyeglasses of
Count Banfinni. A sinister smile was
on his sallow face.
Gielow shrank backward in bewilder-
| ment.
For Gods sake, tell me the meaning
of this!" he cried.
1T means that you'll never see the
light of day again." said Bantinni,
! harshly. You had the cheek to tell me
in my rooms that she loves you. All!
we shall see, my young idiot-she shall
love no one but me. Remember I have
| said it,"
"You brought me here, then!" ex-
claimed Gielow. in wonder.
Certainly" was the counts reply.
He set his lantern down and leaned
against the closed door.
Where am I, in the name OF mercy?"
gasped Gielow.
You viii never know that" an
swered the count, with satisfied smile.
Would you believe that you have been
sleeping on that straw for three days
and three nights?''
THAT may be-" slowly replied the
artist. ''for am starving"
"Ah, yes, it is time for you to feel
that way" replied Bantinni. ''It will
be hard from now on. l could let you
sleep your life away without a mo-
ment's pain if [ were to hypnotic you
again, but I shall not waste the time"
II was under your influence, then ~
Completely"
''And for what reason?
The count laughed.
81 don't mind telling you my plan.
1t will give you something to think
about in your solitude. If you will re-
| fleet, you will remember that Caruthers
| was the only barrier to any mans mar
rying Miss Huntington and getting the
benefit of her fortune. Well, Caruthers