Evening star., 1899-07-29
CHAPTER XVI.
.'With YoHr Lips to the Hurt"

A few minutes later a knocking came to
Nine. de Sagan's door. 1t was low and ur-
gent. She ran to open It, her heart in her
throat A hand pushed her aside with the
rough, careless force OF full control. She
recoiled with an exclamation, for a glance
showed her that the count was in one of
his most deadly moods.
What have you done-where is Selpdorf's
daughter?" he snarled
As Nine. de Sagan shrank from the men,
aclng hand, the door opened a second time,
and Valerie herself stumbled in with a
bloOdless face.
At the sight of the count she drew her
self together like one who faces an unex-
pected peril.
Il apologize for coming but 1 am fright
ened The storm is dreadful. So l came to
you, Isolde"
Isolde put out her arms with sobbing
cry.
II am frightened too" she said. with a
swift resentful glance at her husband. Il
was coming for you. Stay with me, Vale
rie. l will not be left aloner'
Sagan looked from one to the other of the
two beautiful faces, and sensation of sur
prised dismay, to which he was a stranger
arose in his mind Hitherto women had
been to him possessions, not pr Ems. Now
very ancient truth burst in upon him with
all the force of revelation. To own a wo-
man Is not always to understand her The
unexpected defiance on his wife's face con-
founded him.
ih'oiuC. iic peSdil, stepping toward her,
But the young countess clung to Valerie
Stay with me, Valeriei" she implored
Il am far more frightened than you for 1
know what there is to fear
With loud curse of bewilderment he
strobe out, banging the door behind him.
Isolde sprang to it, slipping the bolts with
trembling hngers Then she threw l-ersef
upon couch and broke into pitiful sob
bing.
Valerie stood looking down at her in an
agony of suspense, yet remembering that
Splf-cO0trO1 iS the chief Of
Presently she put her hand on Isoldes
shoulder. The young countess started I'M
with suppressed scream II had forgot
ten you were there. Valerie, he will mur-
| der me! He hates me! Oh, I have no one
| to save mel"
Valerie looked round After the scane
| she had just witnessed, this suggestion did
| not sound so wild as it would have done at
another time.
You nervous, Isolde: one could
! fancy anything on such night" she said
soothingly
Have you lived so long in Maasau with
| out knowing that here at Sagan everything
| is possible? He threatens me, and Ch, my
| God, what shall 1 do?'
| Valerie sat down beside her and rut a
steady hand upon her arm She had her
own object in this visit, but it must be an
preached with caution.
Il am here. L will help your she said
| reassurngly.
Isolde sat up and put her arm around her
companions shoulders.
| Il must trust you-though-. Valerie
| there is one person VINO might be able to
| help tonight" she whispered close to
| the girls ear. He might save me- But he
| must come osme-here-now. | dare not
| leave this room. Simon" she shiyered
| 'Who is t?'ss A new coldness crept into
| Valerie's voice as she listened
Can you notguess? 1t is Captain Rally
| wood" m 81
Valerie had .braced herself to meet this
| and it only added proof to her own fears
| for his safety. Come what might. she
would undertake any message from Isolde
to get the opportunity of warning the
dukes guard Of the coming danger, and to
| tell the fate Of that gallant figure now
tossing to and fro in the battering rush of
| the Kofn. She drew herself away from
| Isolde's embrace with shudder.
peered up at her with quick scrutiny.
You are shaking all over. Valerie, is it
| because of him?"
| Il am very cold" returned the girl with
| tain Rallywood. But where is hep"
| He is on guard in the dukes ante
room.' She turned her head away.
Then, Isolde, you know it is impossi-
| BILE! He cannot conner!
Even if it costs my life?" said the
| countess bitterly. Oh, how cheap Vol,
| hold other peoples lives, Valerie! You
are true MaaSaun!'
Valerie thought moment. The renuast
of Nine. de Sagan fell in with her own
doubt that was agonizing her; vet if she
| found him safe, how could she lend her
self to tempt him to his own disbonoro
| A cruel question rose within her Should
she put him to the supreme test of life
and love-would she not rather know him
dead in the cold river than living and
| false to her dim ideal of him?
There is no time to spare" Isolde,s
voice broke in upon her IF YOU eonlS
make him know the, danger 1 stand In.