Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-03-06

Eyes, it is there" he kept on say
ing. Count four stones from the left,
press on the fifth, and it will swing
round. have it safely-do you hear
safely"
This went on over and over again;
and as Lydia listened, something, she
knew not what, made her turn her
head, when it seemed to her that
one of the bed-curtains trembled, and
that, in the gloom, hand was softly
drawing one back, that the sick man s
CHAPTER XIV.
Looing again in the direction of the
hand, but telling herself that it was
fancy, Lydia sat down to wait anxi-
ously for me doctors return, while
Capel went on, talking more or less
incoherently.
'You know I love you," he said,
softly. Misunderstanding will ,e
my wife. Let the world go it's own
way; what is it to us?"
Lydia's head sunk lower, as the
tears of misery began to fall fast
''The treasure" he cried, suddenly.
''Ha, ha, ha! Let me search for it
months-years. They will never find
it. I have it safely. Here. I'll tell
you"
He beckoned with his finger as he
talked on rapidly; and as Lydia raised
her saddened countenance, she saw
that he was gazing at vacancy, and
gesticulating with his free hand.
Eyes, I'll tell you," he said. LET
the fools hunt. They'll never find it.
Well, why not? It is mine. Look.
You count along here-do you see
one, eight six; now press in the key.
There is a spring. Press it home, and
turn. The door opens, and there it is.
For you, dearest-the jewels are all
your own"
AS he went on talking rapidly the
curtain moved softly again. and this
time Lydia felt that it was no trick
of the light or wind, and, rising from
other side of the bed, took hold of the
curtain and swept it aside, to leave
Katrine standing there in the faint
light shed by the shaded lamp.
What are you doing here?"
81 came to see if I could help you"
''And g1ided in like a thief, to hide
there listening to his words. What
is it you want to know? Was it to
hear him say he loved your" whispered
Lydia, with her face full of scorn.
II do not understand you"
you do understand And it was
not for that. You have heard him
whisper to you-no, waste upon you
loving words enough"
Really" said Katrine, who had
recovered from her temporary con-
fusion consequent upon the abrupt
discovery of her presence. Surely, my
darling little Lydia is not jealous:
Jealous! Of your" said Lydia,
scornfully. mo; I am only sorry that
he should have been so blind
E'To your incompatible charms?"
mo; to the character of the beauti-
full woman"
''Beautiful?"
Eyes; beautiful woman whose char
acter-''
How dare you!" cried Katrine, and
she struck the brave girl sharp blow
across the face with her open hand.
Beautiful as you are corrupt and
cruel" said Lydia, without wincing
81 have not been blind I have seen
your efforts to lead him Onto tempt
him into the belief that you loved him,
when your sole thought has heeu Of
the money that was to be his
''It is false" cried Katrine.
''It is true. I would not stool, to
watch you, but have seen enough to
know you. Go back to your companion
the man who plots and plans with
you to gain what you will never find,
and do not"
''Do not what?" cried Katrine, with
a malignant look.
Lydia did not reply, but hurried back
to where Capel was trying to raise
himself up, trembling the while, as
he gazed toward the window
Look" he said, harshly. "THere.
Don't stop, Katrine, love. There is
danger. Don't stop now"
Katrine's face wore strange,
waxen hue, as she caught the sick
mans hand
The painful position was brought to
an end by the coming of the doctors.
Katrine's quick ear was the first to
give her warning of their approach !;
and without another word she softly
left the room, stealing away so quietly
that when DR.. Heston entered, usher
ing in the great physician, Lydia
hardly realized that she was alone.
''Still the same" said DR.. Heston
"Humph, yes. My dear madam, will
you permit me?"
Lydia looked piteously in his face
losing her self-command the while, as
Heston led her from the room anC
closed the door; while, as she heard il
locked on the inside, and the sound Of
the rings passing over the rod, she
sunk down sobbing on the lion-skir
rug, burying her face in her hands
and ignorant of the fact that she wa.
being watched.