The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-23
CHAPTER XII.
A Counsel of Expediency.

castle of Sagan was said to belong to
the period of the Frankish incursions.
Some one had once remarked that
Count Simon himself was the most
perfect relic of the barbaric period to
be found in Europe, which. coming
round in due time to Count Simon, the
joker paid with his life for his poor
attempt at wit.
However true this tradition of Sagan
might be. the castle itself was medi-
eval. and, though it had been added
to and restored, dark and tortuous
passages still existed in the older por-
ton of its huge bulk, and could by no
means be improved away. Treacherous
steps waylaid and betrayed the unwary
foot: undreamed of doors gave upon
their dimmest corners, and not all the
efforts of the nervous chatelaine ever
accomplished the adequate lighting of
their recesses.
The spirit of fear seemed to be abroad
in the castle that night, and the guests
moved with a causeless but Irresistible
hurry when coming or going from the
upper apartments or through the wind
ing corridors
Valerie was conscious of it, as,
wrapped in long cloak, she opened her
door and started back on finding tall,
high-shouldered figure standing out
side
Take my arm, mademoiselle, / beg
of you" Won Elmur bent his head,
speaking urgently: Il am aware that
his august impertinence well deserved
your rebuke, But many heard it, and
by some a sinister construction has
been put upon it. For your fathers
sake, will you condescend to listen to
me-"
..Valaria viii dravr ba, hand fro,,, Iie
arm with a swift movement, but he
caught and replaced it almost roughly.
Forgive me, mademoisslle. you must
listen to me. / am not urging my suit
upon you'll will not urge it until you
consult your father; but, in the mean
time, the exigencies of the case diff
culties which have arisen as the re-
suit Of your own words, make it essen
tial for you to follow my advice. You
are aware, you must be aware, of my
feelings toward you, and may l remind
you that your fathers wishes coincide
with mine? Will you allow me to an
nbunce our betrothal to the count?
will never presume upon this favor in
the future-you may rely upon me.
Valerie. you see l am using no lovers
responsiveness. I do not tell you that
] adore you-though you are well aware
of that, l only declare that your fall
ing in with my request may mean the
some of u.s."
rs my father in danger through my
fault?"
His hand held hers close, and she
could see that he was moved out of the |
common by some emotion, the cool still
ness of his manner was replaced by a |
passion of which she had not believed |
him capable. Her beauty and the
thought of losing her had a good deal |
TO do with this disturbance but the !
chief cause was the fear that, after all. |
his mission might fail and fail badly.
Il cannot explain; but 1 implore you |
TO act on my advice
Valerie hesitated Elmur was very |
much in earnest, yet it might be an at /
tempt to trick her into a position from /
which she would find it almost impossi- |
BILE to withdraw.
do you wish to make this public?"
she asked.
No, no, That-pardon me once more
would be equally fatal after the i'm
preston you unluckily conveyed TO the
duke. No; 1 only ask you to allow
Count Sagan to believe that you have
consented to become my wife 1 beg
you to do this-for NJ. Selpdorf's sake,
and, indeed, mademoiselle, for your
own
AS they entered the circle of brilliant
light falling from the great lamp above
Nine. de Sagan's door, Baron Won Ell
muir resumed something of his usual
manner.
Then 1 may conduct you no fur
there" he said, turning in front of her
persons who We're coming along the
gallery.
Thank you for your protection.
baron" the girl replied, in an audible
tone, ''the castle is haunted on nights
like these, when the tsa cries around
it"
The door swung open noiselesslv be-
side them. and Count Sagan stood on
the threshold By some instinct, with
out looking at him, she seemed to see
his angry, questioning gaze.
.'Au revoir," she added TO Elmur. with {
a coquettish ring in her voice.
An, mademoiselle. I live for that {
only-to see you again." began Ell {
muir.
Sagan cut him short. /;
Tut, tut, baron, too many eyes are
looking on TO permit of such endear-
ments as thesei Ardor in a betrothed
lover is natural, yet I
Valerie looked up and smiled miser- {
ably. !
'Au revoir,' she repeated, family. I
With that the door closed behind her [
as Sagan led the way to his wife and
Elmur, affecting not to see the two men s
Who were passing, strolled on sing I
ng a love song under his breath.
Unziar paused, then drew Hollywood s
With him into the center of the wide E
lighted passage, where they could
speak with more freedom. That set l
les more questions than onep he said,
For example, it settles a
question which most concerns you and (
ne, Rallywood." 1
Concerns me?" Hollywood flung back q
he words.
would you deny it? You are as deep
n that as t. nodding toward the door
behind them.
Rallywood's answer came slowly /
Il do rot deny it. Why should 1 a
wish to? Though regard for her has h
ed me to attempt to hide my-folly.
zee I have not been altogether as sue d
essful as I hoped. But, had l any h
hing TO offer her beside my sword I'm
Hanged IL / would let that Internal Ger S
nan have herr
In these affairs, my friend, the la {
lies equally make choice" Unfair re- I
lied, with a sneer Besides, il is only q