Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-01-20

and, as a man OF breeding. /. OF course,
refrained from endeavoring to pene-
trate her disguise.
Whatever her reason for secrecy she
was welcome to preserve II. so far as
I was concerned.
In my own mind, 1 suspected a love
affair-some romantic designation. per-
haps even an elopement. But. let IL
be what IT might. Il was no business OF
mine. Thus I thought, little dreaming
then what Fate was weaving In the
meshes OF her mystic web.
Can you bear 10 let me cauterize
that wound?" / asked. "Of course, I
must tell you frankly. It will give you
great pain"
Il can bear it,"
Then. the sooner it is done. the bet
ter"
AS spoke, turned my back to her,
that she might not watch my move
ments, and poked into the hottest part
of the fire long fat piece Of steel.
I brought 1t to white heat; then I
turned to the woman. was as white
as sheet, / am quite certain. and It
was only with a strong effort OF will
kept my hands steady. would a hun
dred times rather have passed that
cruel steel across my own arm than
across the arm OF this tender and deli
cate womani
But it had to be done-for her sake;
and did not shrink from 1t. 1 gripped
one end of the steel firmly with my
handkerchief, and pressed 1t deep-deep
into her fieshI shall never forget my
sensations at that moment The horri-
bic "hz" made by the burning metal on
the cool white flesh. caused me TO shud-
der from head to foot; ground my
teeth almost fiercely in the intensity Of
my feelings, and copious perspiration
started out upon my brow.
The tortured victim herself uttered
neither cry nor groan. could see
by the movement Of her face, that she
was setting her teeth hard, and, when
the steel burnt its way into the flesh.
L could feel her shudder; but this was
the only token of her agony.
My heart was filled with wondering
admiration, This woman had the soul
Of a heroine. told myself. Never had
1 seen in female form, higher spirit
or n more dauntless mind.
The moment the horrible operation
was over seized my brandy-fask, and
attempted to pour a little of the spir-
Its between her lips.
think she felt herself near swooning
touched the black velvet mask, and
whispered
You will not try to see my face"
ION my honor will not" answered
promptly. you may trust me-"
She was lying back in my low basket
chair now, on the verge of fainting.
Her eyes were closed, her lips tightly
set, her face was ashen pale
1 administered a little brandy, but
feared it would not suffice to revive
her. Indeed, II seemed to me she had
already swooned quite away. was
terribly perplexed.
Fettered as I was by my promise not
to look at her face 1 could not remove
that hateful, tantalizing mask; and yet
1t seemed monstrous TO stand by and
make no effort to bring her back to
consciousness.
To be sure, the mask did not serious
ly impede her breathing. for 4. only
reached as far as her upper lip. and
had already noticed that her chin was
beautifully moulded, and that her teeth
were white as pearls, and her lips like
some soft crimson flower.
But if was forbidden to remove the
mask the interdict went no further, I
reflected, and, STOPPING over the inani-
mate form, unfastened the long dark
cloak. which was buttoned closely
from the throat to the feet.
A further surprise awaited me, for.
Instead of seeing n dress suited to the
weather, saw an evening gown OF
softest, richest ivory satin, confined at
the waist by a zone OF pearl and silver,
and cut low enough to display the mill
ky whiteness of her throat and bosom
such as. for peerless beauty, had new
er seen before.
Around the firm white throat was
clasped a circlet OF rubies, which
flashed like points OF fire in the light
Of my reading lamp.
Half-guiltily, 1 re-fastened the dis
guising cloak and contented myself
with applying some strong smelling
salts to her nostrils.
Happily. these quickly took effect.
saw the eyes unclose behind the mask
beautiful lustrious eyes / was sure
they were. even though could see but
little of them.
She stirred, shuddered put out her
hand as though TO ward away some
peril. then drew her cloak more closely
round her
I should say here, perhaps, that the
cloak had hood to it. which was
drawn closely round her face, but that
had caught a glimpse of her hair
cleaning in the fire light.
IT am BETTER" she said, still IN that
thrilling rich, sweet voice, and in q
tone of remarkable self-possession.
Please let me walk to the door. All I
want is air"
Zone momenti" I answered
had been applying ointment to her
poor, wounded arm, and now wrapped
bandage round II.
There, now it will heal quickly. You
have been wonderfully brave"
/ gave her my arm, and led her to
the door. Nero, cowed by my Gispleas-
ure, was sinking outside; at sight of
her. however. he could not repress a
growl. / really did begin to fear he
might be going mad; and, perhaps.
that is what had determined me TO
cauteriZe the wound
At any rate, had never known him
to act like this before. A minute or two
we stood together at the door in ST.
lence. Far and near there was not a
sound.
The mountain shrouded from its foot
to it's Hottest peak with snow, lowered
solemnly above us; the moon hung
oh In, hn hao