Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-11-16
CHAPTER NXXIII.


ish step. stopping an instant only again
to rccommencc his promenade like that
| of IL Wild beast in~its cage.
When he had walked so long that ia
tiguc conquered him. he fell upon Il
7, uvan. but instantly rose, bruSquely. as
+, if repose were to him impossible, 49,.
| All the bad passions We're depicted
| upon his countenance. A blue circle
was drawn about his eyes, and. ut
i tines. a fierce anger sparkled there.
!; NCr was the anger motivelesS: For
! the first time his all-powerful will had
been baffled. and by Il young girls
tirmneSS.
Agnes resistance ind disdain were in
surmountable obstacles. against which
prayers. promises, threats and suppli-
cations We're of no avail.
"ConQucrcd by Il child.
1t was too much for the rajah'S pride.
He felt his love changed into hatred.
and the fierce instincts of his nature
sprlng to the surface. He determined
to try one last temptation. and then. if
this temptation failed But how OK
press Doorgal> thought:
Sending for the matron. he qucs-
toned her:
What does the young girl do::"
"Shc wrepS.
Have YOU been able to reassure and
calm her.
".All that one woman may say to an
other have said. illustrious lord: and
| believe. without vanity. that YOU
would have been gratitied to have
heard me-
What has she answered."
Not Il word"
You spoke to her in English how
ever"
Yes: hut she appeared not TO under
stand. Tho more ] talked. the more
she Sobbcd.'
Has she consented to cat:"
''>le has moi touched food or water"
HAS she taken no rrpnSe:"
None. illuStriouS lord
But if she neither eats. nor drinks
nor sleeps. she will die
such. | believe. is her intention"
answered the matron.
l'uoryal Shivered.
"Shc wishes To die" lie cried '''rhcn
| will prove the supreme temptation.
will try to save her. If she opposes
me. misfortune follow her. 90 bring
her here. lie commanded. land leave
me alone with her. But first send Myn-
dab to me.
Aycsha Went out to fulfill her double
mission.
Almost Immediately Myndlla APP
Dcared.
''Myndha." ordered Doorgal. giving
her Il key. go to my chamber. and
open With this key the iron safe oppO-
site my bed You will see there Il sill
Yer flask. Il vcrmillion plate and Il gold
goblet. Place the flask and the goblet
on the threshold. return here. and if [
am not alone. conceal yourself behind
these hangingS. When you hear me
strike the bell. appear. and come to-
ward me plate i'll hand. DO YOU under
stand:"
"MCSt illustriou> lord. I understand.
SEQ. then. and hasten
Hardly had the slave disappeared.
when the door opened to admit into the
apartment the matron followed by Az
npS.
The former merely crossed the thrr>h-
old. retiring again without speaking. in
obedience to the rajah'S orders.
Agnes had 50 altered since the day
bic. but her beauty was not the less
dazzling.
Her superb hair fioaetd in sunny
waves over her shoulders: Il singular
paleness lent her an appearance OF
great delicacy; her eyes. always large.
seemed larger: great tears. like liquid
pearls. hung on her long lasheS. and
fell on by one.
Seeing Doorgal opposite her. her re-
gard expressed not terror. but withcr-
ing scorn and Indignation. Instead of
retreating or endeavOring to escape.
she approached nearer him. as she
asked:
is it again to torture me that YOU
have had me brought near you: TO
impose such a punishment upon one
who has not deserved it. is both COW
ardly and cruel.''
Agnes" exclaimed Doorgal. lis it to
impose Il punishment to repeat to you
that l love you:'' m.. ....
"Yes; for your love is INSULT
"Insult?''
Doubtless; stree you we'll know that
l cannot be yours
You have not, then. understood. Az
mes, the lengths to which my passion
for you will carry me:''
Il wish to understand nothing
'If you knew
II wish to know nothing"
"At least. listen to me-
II wish to hear nothing"
Doogal stamped his foot in anger.
Il will. however. speak" he cried:
''and whether you so desire or not. my
words must reach your ears! You ac-
cuse me of cruelty. Agnes; yet is is
you who, holding my heart in your
hands, crush it pitilessly. Am guilty
! then. i'll having loved you? The faul,
is yours, rather than mine-yours
whose beauty shines and warns as
does the. sun. Ny only crime is in pos
sessing vision. Is it dishonorabls
love that I offer you? l am n prince
and possessor Of enormous wealth
Well, ut your feet lay my name, M,
title and my fortune"
II refuse 1t air. answered Agnes
eagerly; .'an6 shall always refuse"
Because defiance blinds you" re