Omaha daily bee., 1899-07-23
CHAPTER III.
A Counsel of Expediency.

A Counsel of Expediency.
The foundation of the family and castle OF
Segan 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
around in due time to Count Simon, the
joker paid with his life for his Door at
tempt at wit.
However true this tradition of sagan might
he, the castle itself was medieval, and,
though 1t has been added to and restored,
dark and ~tortuous passages still existed in
the older portion Of its huge bulk, and could
by no means be improved away. Preacher
GUS steps waylaid and betrayed the I'M
wary foot. undreamed OF doors gave upon
their dimmest corners and not all the
efforts of the nervous chatelaine ever &C
complished 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 winding corridors.
Valerie was conscious Of 1T, as. wrapped
In a long cloak, she opened her door and
started back on finding a tall, high
shouldered figure standing outside.
Take my arm, mademoiselle, l beg OF
you" Won Elmur bent his head, speaking
urgently. IT ann 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?"
Valerie withdrew her hand from his arm
with a swift movement, but he caught and
replaced 1t almost roughly.
"Forgive he, mademoiselle you must listen
to me! ! am not urging my suit upon YOU
/ will not urge It until you consult your
father; but. in the meantime, the exigencies
of the case, difficulties which have arisen
as the result Of your own words, make 1t
essential for you to follow my advice. You
are aware, you must be aware, OF my feel
ings toward you, and may I remind you that
your fathers wishes coincide with mine?
VIII you allow me to announce our be-
trothal to the count? / will never presume
upon this favor in the future-you may rely
upon me. Valerie, you see / am using no
lovers responsiveness, / do not tell you
that | adore you-though you are well
aware Of that! l only declare that your
falling in with my request may mean the
difference between life and death TO some
of us!"
ais my father in danger through my
fault"
Illb nhlli Nlu - Nlbott ohu phO SouiN
see that he was moved out Of the common
by some emotion, the cool stiffness 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.
81 cannot explain; but I implore you to
act on my advice"
Valerie hesitated. Elmur was very much
IN earnest, yet it might be an attempt to
trick her into a position from which she
would find 1t almost impossible to with
draw.
"Do you wish to make this public?" she
asked.
mo, no. T~hat-pardon me once more
would be equally fatal after the impression
you unluckily conveyed to the duke. No; l
only ask you to allow Count Sagan to be-
l!eve that you have consented to become
my wife. i beg you to do this-for M. Selp-
DORIS 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 Elmur resumed
something OF his usual manner.
"Then / may conduct you no further?" he
said, turning in front OF her to screen heI
agitated face from two persons who were
coming along the gallery.
Thank you for your protection, baron
the girl replied in an audible tone, 'tht
castle is haunted on nights like these when
the lisa cries around it."
The door swung open noiselessly beside
them and Count Sagan stood on the thresh'
old. BY some instinct, without looking a.
him, she SCENE to see his angry, question
ing gaze.
"Au revoir" she added 10 Elmur. with q
coquettish ring in her voice.
"Ab, mademoiselle, / live for that only
20 see you again. began Elmur.
Sagan cut him short.
''Tut, tut, baron, too many eyes are look
ing on to permit OF such endearments al
these! Ardor in a betrothed lover is natu'
raj, yet"
Valerie looked up and smiled miserably.
"Au %revoir," she repeated family.
With that the door closed behind her al
Sagan led her away to his wife, and Elmur
affecting not TO see the two men who wer'
passing, strolled on, singing a love sons
under his breath. Unfair paused. then drew
Hollywood with him into the center OF tn,
wide lighted passage, where they coulC
speak with more freedom. That settles
more questions than one" he said, mock
ingly. For example, II settles a question
which most concerns you and me, Rally
wood
Concerns me?" Hollywood flung bacl
the words.
Would you deny It? You are as deep II
that as l." nodding toward the door behint
them.
Rallywood's answer came slowly.
Il do not deny It, Why should | wish to
Though regard for her has led me 70 at
tempt to hide my-folly. i see / have no