Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-06-08
CHAPTER wv.

urious fittings might have pre-supposed
it a lady's boudoir. but for the strew-
ing here and there of articles unmis-
takably masculine, and the cloud of
fragrant smoke which hung about it
sat a man whose face was turned 10
where the shadow lay the deepest.
He had taken the cigar from his lips,
and the hand which held it-and which
rested on the arm OF his chair-was
white and soft as any woman's. On a
finger CLEANED a large and almost
priceless sapphire, craven with a crest.
1t was a hand whose touch you
would instinctively feel might be re-
plete with infinite tenderness, but new
er that it's strength be merciless.
The half-reclining figure was full of
manhood's grace. ~Instlnctively You
looked toward the face, TO see that it
fulfilled the figures promise. and then
you understood why it was kept turned
TO the shadow. You shuddered as You
looked.
1t was Louis Gervase who thus sat
alcue. and stunned the light of day.
When life-not d~eath-had been the is
sue of the terrible deed whose impress
he must wear until washed in the wa
ters of eternity, and they had come 10
him and said: Tell US who did this
thing? Give us the clue, that we may
deliver her to justice aud the law" he
had answered.: II can tell you moth
ing" and they had deemed that gener-
osity had prompted his reply. As well
look for generosity in the savage tiger
crouching for the spring and greedy
for its prey.
"Justice and the law he Kissed, be-
tween his set teeth, gazing with I'M
flinching eyes into his mirrors dread
reflection. 1T is / who will mete out
the law: it is / who will represent
justice. Hide Yourself in what quar-
ter Of the globe you viii. my lady. you
and / shah meet again. With all his
faults. Louis Gervase never yet failed
to pay a debt he r%ightfully owed. and
that TO you will bear its interest"
But months had gone by, a year had
sped, and his threat was unfulflled.
A light rap sounded on the door. The
e moment a valet, with noiseless
tread. entered the apartment.
His master turned his head. and. as
he did so, one saw that the distigure-
ment was on one side only of his face.
The other represented him as he was
as be had been-a man whose beauty
had been his bane.
Quickly taking from the table a black
bandage, he adjusted il so that the dis
figurement was wholly hid. and thus
be still might whisper his sweet moth
ings in a woman's ear: and she. not
knowing what was concealed beneath
that plying mask, might have yielded
to the old. nameless charm, which
would go with him to his grave.
But for one long year this man had
seen no woman Since the countess
had penned him her farewell, he had
made no effort to WOO or win. He had
lived ON his past and brooded over his
future.
We'll. Jean?' he said to the servant
M. Rudolph is below, sir, and would
like 10 see YOU"
admit him at once" he commanded;
then wheeled round in his chair, and
waited. as one has seen a cat. with
paw extended, wait and watch at the
mouth of n hole from which she mo-
mentarily expects the hapless NOUS to
emerge.
His waiting was not long: but the
man who opened the door at last, with
an almost stealthy movement. resem-
bltu lar AOTt a bIoihcI"tdl tudu the
poor victim.
Small mercy might the mouse look
for with two such wary watchers,
whose patience would be as untiring
as their vengeance would be merciless.
You bring me news, Rudolph ex-
claimed Gervase. before the stranger
had had time wholly to close the door
behind him.
For answer, he laid a warning finger
on his lips. and deliberately turned the
key in the lock, then drew a chair close
beside his questioner. and seated him
self with easy familiarity, before he
broke the silence.
Louis Gervase was not one ordinarily
TO brook familiarity, even from an
equal, and an instantaneous glance on
ly was necessary TO see that his com
ranion sprang from the lower walks of
life. Plebian vas written in every line
OF his face, and in his every action. but
there was no resentment in the manner
OF his ~host--only curiosity, eager and
unrepresSed.
..You bring me news. RUDOLPH he
said. again.
"Yes. / bring You news answered
the other: land this time l fancy there
Is no mistake. We are on the right
track ut last, The hunters have dou-
bed on the hare,r'
G on, Tell me all. Where has she
hidden herseif?''
NO marvellous hiding. my dear sir.
She has blazoned herself before the
eyes of all Europe. except those thar
were blind. Ar this She is the
toast and reigning queen of ST. Peters
burg. Little by little she is winning
her way into the most select ranks OF
its seclety-ranks which AT first serried
themselves against her. hut which fell
apart TO admit her by magic OF a smile
or OF a glance. The Prince Canorach.
one of Russia's wealthiest mobiles. has
laid his coronet at her feet. they say,
and prays that she will stoop 10 wear
il. Her own resources appear limit
less. Her beauty has gained new radi-
once"
"Her beautyy' interrupted the listen
or. And his hands clenched, while n
very fire OF hate burned in his eyes. nj.
ready ablaze with eavage passions.