Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-08-24

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ceeded them. His passive obedience
precluded any idea Of initiative.
Therefore, he now retraced his steps,
rejoined the horses, sprang on one and
signalled the negro to mount the other,
an soon, at full gallop, had reached the
mysterious palace, whose threshold
George Malcolm had ever crossed with
bandaged vision.
| He traversed, with rapid step, the
suite of sumptuously furnished apart
ments, until he arrived at the boudoir
where the unknown awaited him. 4,
Hearing the sound of his approach in
the adjoining salon, she hastily placed
her mask over her face, while a slight
blush colored her pale cheeks, and her
eyes sparkled.
Saugor raised the portiere which sep
arated the salon from the boudoir,
then, with hands crossed over his
breast, his body half-inclined, his head
respectfully bowed, he stood, silent.
The unknown threw on him hasty
glance and shuddered.
| "AlOne!" she cried.
"Alonew murmured Saugor.
ssHas any misfortune happened to
George Malcolm?" she questioned, in
tremulous tones.
The Hindoo shook his head in dis
sent.
SIS he absent?'
"NO, mistress"
elias he not heard the signal?"
"It is impossible not, for I repeated
it. and could plainly hear the sound
of voices in the bungalow"
BY violent and abrupt movement,
the unknown tore off her mask. The
customary paleness of her complexion
''And," she continued, che has not re-
sponded?"
"No, mistress"
"But-then," she added, with an ac-
cent of indescribable bitterness, che
has not wished to follow you. He is
| weary Of the rendezvous. He will come
no more"
Saugor had no opinion to offer. He
lowered his eyes and maintained ST.
lence.
A large Venetian mirror, in frame
of filagree silver, was placed in one Of
the panels directly opposite the young
woman. Accidentally, her glance rest
ed upon the glass, which reflected, so
faithfully her regal beauty and ex-
quisite form.
A proud light swept over her face
She slightly raised her arched brows,
and her contracted lips parted in q
| smile.
GLOW, then?" she murmured. "Can
{, it be possible? Have 1 not, like Circe,
invincible attractions? Am 1 Of those
whom love forsakes? Some powerful
reason has prevented his accompany
ing Saugor this evening. This reason
wish to know. wish him to return.
He will return, and to hold, him, if
necessary, 1 will do that to enchain
him to me that have never done be-
fore. l will drop my mask and reveal
myself to him. Yes; will do even
this, for love him.
These words she uttered in so low q
tone that they reached Saugor only In
an indistinct murmur. She now APP
preached the Hindoo, and to him,
aloud, said:
| 'Saugor?"
Mistress"
''You must return
ITO the bungalow"
| eyes"
s'What shall do?''
the house."
Eyes, mistress"
"You will reach George Malcolm.
| that [ wish to see him; that he must
follow you-that he must! Do you per-
! fectly understands
81 will tell him all, mistress, but
Saugor hesitated.
''Well?" queried the unknown, impa-
tiently. 'Finish, then, Saugor-fnish!"
eff he refuse?"
A naughty smile came to the lips of
the beautiful woman as she threw q
hasty glance again toward the mirror.
crest easy. Saugor," she replied
crest easy! He will not refuse"
! The Hindoo bowed. The unknown
continued:
go, then, my faithful servitor. Go
/ quickly. The minutes until then will
appear to me hours.''
| Hardly had she finished speaking be-
fore Saugor, with the silent rapidity
| peculiar to the race, had disappeared.
A half-league at most, separated the
palace from the bungalow, though Sau-
| gor, although to more completely de-
ceive the young Englishman regarding
the road, and to persuade him that the
distance was much greater, had been
| accustomed to make numerous detours;
but tonight, having no such motive, to
lengthen the course, he fairly annihi-
lated space.
Ahghting at the accustomed place,
he disembarrassed himself Of the long,
| white garment, whose ample folds
would have hampered his movements
ard made any climbing almost impos-
sible.
He then sought, in the shaded walk,
a spot where the hedge, less bushy,
presented least resistance.
Having found it, he glided through
the entangling braches like a snake,
until noiselessly and almost without
hindrance he penetrated the luxuriant
wall into the garden of the bungalow.
Opposite him, on the other side of the
lawn, planted in great trees, uprose the
house, several windows Of which were