The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-23
CHAPTER XI.
lnrN.rL OF ExrEnIENcY.

,,,rted that count Simon himself was the
MOS, no-,r,t relic ~ tho barbartc period to be
,n~rI IN Europe which coming round In due
,t,,, T., Count simon. the Joker paid with his
~. for his poor attempt at wit.
,i,rsv.-,rue this tradition OF SaGan might
>. IN. castle itself WAS medlRval. and. though
u had been added TO and restored. dark and
,,r,pons passages still existed In the older
,,r,,,,s Of its huge bulk. and could by no
means be.inproyod away. Treacherous steps
,,yr,td and betrayed the unwary foot: un-
dreamed ot doors gave upon their dimmest
coro.rs and not all 'he efforts OF the nervous
ah,,,,,ire ever accomplished the adequate
uehtInc.ot their recesses.
The spirit Of fear seemed to he abroad in the
cost,. that night and tho guests moved with
,nps,less bat irresistible hurry when coming
or going from the upper apartments or through
the win1inC:corridors.
Valerie was conscious Of 1t. %. wrapped in
long cloak. she opened her door and started
back on finding n tall. high shouldered figure
standing outside.
.Tol. my arm mademoselle. I beg Of YOU"
Won EImur bent his head speaking urgently:
"I an aware that his August 1mpertinenoe
well deserved your rebuke! But many heard
H. and by some n sinister construction has
b.en put uron Il For your fathers sake will
Won condescand 10 listen TO me2'
Valerie withdrew her hand from his arm
with n swift movement but he caught and re-
placed IL almost roughly.
Forgive mo- mademoselle. you must listen
10 me, | am not urging my suit upon you'll
v,l'not urge It until you consult your father
hut in the meantime. the exiRencies OF the
case difficulties which have arisen as the result
Of your own words. make it essential for you
10 follow nv advice. You are aware. you must
be aware Of my feelings toward you. and may
I remind you that your fathers wishes coin
eide with mine? VIII you allow me TO an.
nounce our bstrothal TO the Count? I will
hever presume upon this favor in the future
you may rely upon me Valerie. you see am
using no lovers "reminiscences. do not tell
tou that adore though you are we'll
aware OF that! only declare that your falling
IN with my request may mean the difference
between lie and death to some Of us!"
is my father In danger through my fault?"
His hand held hers close and she could see
chat no was moved out Of the common by some
emotion: tho cool Stiffness OF his manner was
replaced By passion OF which she had not be-
fevsi him capable. Her beauty and the
thought OF losing her had a good deal to do
With this disturbance. but the chief cause was
he fear shat, after all. his mission might fail
And fail badly.
Il cannot explain; but I i'm plors you 10 act
on my advice"
Valerie hesitated. Elmur was very much in
earnest, Yet It might be an attempt to trick her
Into position from which che would find it al
most IMPOSSIBLE 10 withdraw
DO you wish to make this public?" she
asked
NO. no That-pardon me once more
would he equally fatal after the impression you
t,l,,.l-
ask you to allow Count Sagau to believe that
you have consented to become my wife I beg
you to do this-for VI. Selplorfs sake. and. in
deed. mademoiselle for your own"
As they entered the circle OF brilliant light
falling from the.Sreat lamp above Nine de
ShganS door Baron Won Fmur resumed some
thing CT his usual manner.
Then ] NAV conduct you no further?" he
SAN turning In front Of her to screen her agi-
tated face from two persons who were comm g
along the gallery
Thank YOU for your protection. Baron" the
eirI replied in an audible tone: the castle ia
haunted on nights like these. whom the tsa
cries around it"
Inc door swung open noiselessly beside
them and Count SaGan stood on the threshold.
by some instinct, without looking ut him. she
seemed to zee his angry. questioning gaze.
9uett!sh ring IN her voice
All, madamoselle. live for that 'only-to
sesyou again" bsran Elmur.
Sagan cut him short.
Tut tut, baron, Too many eyes are looking
on 10 IsTmit' of such endearments as these
AIuof N a hetrothed lover Is natural yet
aa!eF!e looked up and sniled.miserably.
VIII r,iio oir She tspeated family,
s,ur'u' I'i' no door closed behind her as
me- g"n a,, ny TO see the two men who:were pass.
br . Ih'Fo'ted on singing love song under hi;
-, mar uau-cd. then drew RallyHood
M M nm INTO the centre Of the wide Zig htod
t pa.s1aLe. wh"fe they could sneak with more
onG he said mocktHely. For example il
AMI me d question Thich most concerns you
ror5. 'erns me- hollywood flung back tn,
,aM, .uIdi .yon deny it? You are as deep ir
thIa, az J. nrldIug toward the door behnt
Ap'5.S 10 90, answer came slowly
to Rt'" my '6iiy. see have not been en- alto D.
sS 'tiF - 'a.%y W. as h,onod But ha@
Ea HeI E.r Y ! would let that internal Germ al
::nay make 'G@i,a" Tnl ifsTN rcpliei Wiph
f SI6, rt M"sl!sS It is only part # the
RaNywHHeed 9 ~ word was scarcely audible.
IN iH4M' Won think that she mademOisello, il
1t" r ne .~hcs =, last.
tsatb "lSn GOOD could say not, But IA III,
ssu r ~ thls r'nsr jra"v. Tor the sake OF Maa
E,'V| 'Hs ''tard cannot lie to each other.
Iny ,",t " I'i Icing on duty during the even
suoH according to usage at some it'll
ann" ana % u"h'hd the Dukes chair. From
WoriS W' coming and going. from chapc
thr.a 'I' lr"Iared speeches he gathered
tef, TERI. H' ','ti1'Ion which had its use In tn
VI Z Thorn ' '""' WIS Id'IuN auNahcih'
lo5k at,s win a flush upon her face. wa
rh".'s.,' usually brilliant as she talked for
nos. "Ln y ar, who. Judging from the sour
his o-I W., ,.S me may have been Offering he
they s,,r,,r am" up TO Rallywood and. n
o'-r,y away from the crowd spok
yog ~ nav" heard the news I see. John. AN
yu,r..g early such a fool as you thin
MAJ 49,, ~. IS girl IN ten thousand an
r-r " .hlo't DIV, make the exceptional VI
kr.v "' '"lui" SPOKE to YOU about
tor ~, nnn""tlpu was under considera
ist '' .r. hU' the engagement did not e X
is ttr, No ago and the present momen
L. n,..-.. va" most in"ppor'une which rOui
'1r - announcement: hence IL fo
Or ,l, H' ''l" oh" has forced Elmur's han,
ma. ice Il - "lgg the hand ~ some one
,l.' - - # :
Tor ay,r, '"n"Hn"rt- publicly? The Duk,
- : "hpwn t'Ts1lr >, Ri, . l...-. II.