Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-06-08
CHAPTER XIV,

In 4 semi-darkened room, whose lux
urious fittings might have pre-supposed
it a lady's boudoir, but for the strew-
ing here and there of articles unmis-
takably masculine, and the cloud of
fragrant smoke which hung about it
sat man whose face was turned to
where the shadow lay the deepest.
He had taken the cigar from his lips,
and the hand which held it-and which
rested on the arm of his chair-was
white and soft as any woman's. On Il
finger cleaned 4 large and almost
priceless sapphire, craven With crest.
1t was a hand whose touch you
would instinctively feel might be re-
plete with infinite tenderness, but new
er that it's strength be merciless.
The half=reclining figure was full Of
manhood's grace. Instinctivcly you
looked toward the face, to see that it
fulfilled the figures promise, and then
you understood why it was kept turned
to the shadow. You shuddered as YOU
looked.
1t was Louis Gervase who thus sat
alone. and stunned the light of day.
When life-nOt death-had been the is.
sue Of the terrible deed whose impress
he must wear until washed in the wa
tcrs of eternity. and they had come to
him and said Tell us who did this
thing? Give us the clue. that we may
deliver her to justice and the law" he
had answered: Il can tell you moth
ing" and they had deemed that gener-
osity had prompted his reply. AS we'll
look for generosity in the savage tiger
crouching for the spring and greedy
for it's prey.
"Justice and the law" he Kissed, be-
tween his set teeth, gazing with I'M
tlinching eyes into his mirrors dread
reflection. sit is l who will mete out
the law: it is 1 who will represent
justice. Hide yourself in what quar-
ter Of the globe you will, my lady, you
and 1 shall meet again. With all his
faults, Louis Gervase never yet failed
to pay debt he rightfully owed, and
that to you will bear it's interest"
But months had gone by, year had
sped. and his threat was unfultilled.
4 light rap sounded on the door. The
next moment a valet, with noiseless
tread. entered the apartment.
His master turned his head, and. as
he did so, one saw that the disfgure~
ment was on one side only of his face.
The other represented him as he WAS
as he had been-a man whose beauty
had been his bane.
Quickly taking from the table black
bandage. he adjusted it so that the dis
iigurement was wholly hid, and thus
he still might whisper his sweet moth
ings in a woman's ear: and she. not
| knowing what was concealed beneath
lX1, ,:<.1,+ :@lI
to the old, nameleSS charm, which
would go with him to his grave.
But for one long year this man had
seen no woman. Since the countess
! had penned him her farewell, he had
made no effort to WOO or win. He had
| lived on his past and brooded over his
! future.
We'll, Jean?" he said to the servant.
! like to see you"
admit him at once" he commanded;
| then wheeled round in his chair, and
waited, as one has seen a cat, with
| paw extended. wait and watch at the
mouth of a hole from which she mo-
mentarly expects the hapless mouse to
emerge.
His waiting was not long: but the
| lllulL w uO OpSuSu lllC uool 4tlSt, w I'LL
an almost stealthy movement resem-
bled far more brothcr-cat than the
poor victim.
Small mercy might the mouse look
| for with two such wary watchers,
as their vengeance would be mercileSs.
You bring me news, Rudolph eX-
claimed Gervase, before the stranger
| bo1 1o1 WHOLLY fn hn 1no1.
behind him.
For answer, he laid warning finger
! on his lips, and deliberately turned the
| key in the lock, then drew a chair close
! beside his Questioner. and seated him
self with easy familiarity, before he
broke the silence.
Louis Gervase was not one ordinarily
| to brook familiarity, even from an
equal, and an instantaneous glance on
ly was necessary to see that his COM
! Eanion sprang from the lower walks Of
| life Plebian was written in every line
OF his face, and in his every action, but
! there was no resentment in the manner
of his host-only curiosity, eager and
/ unrepressed.
"You bring me news, RUDOLPH" he
said, again.
"Yes, I bring you news" answered
the other: land this time l fancy there
is no mistake We are on the right
track at last! The hunters have dou-
! bed on the hare"
go on! Tell me all! Where has she
| hidden herself?'
! 40 marvellous hiding. my dear sir.
She has blazoned herself before the
| eyes of all Europe. except those that
were blind. At this moment she is the
toast and reigning queen of st. Peters
burg. Little by little she is winning
her way into the most select ranks of
it's socety-ranks which at first serried
themselves against her. but which fell
apart to admit her by magic of smile
| or of a glance The Prince Canorach,
one of Russia's wealthiest mobiles, has
lad his coronet at her feet, they say,
and prays that she will stoop to wear
it. Her own resources appear limit
less. Her beauty has gained new radi-
ance."
'.IIer beauty?' interrupted the listen
err And his hands clenched, while n
/, very fire Of hate burned in his eyes, al