Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-09-14

formed by jealousy into a murderer
ceases to plead for her life and instead
proudly and passionately declares her
innocence.
Count Devas, the Italian singer who
had already won universal applause
for his wonderful rendering Of Othello,
faced her. the madness OF rage that
was consuming him portrayed wildly
In every feature OF his face, I'm every
movement Of hts tense, nervous fingers.
There was silence. intense, dead 81
lence, for an instant as Eva's last note
died away, and then. as she covered
her eyes with her hands, the count.
with one swift step. was ut her side,
pressing with ruthless hands the cush-
ion on her upturned face. and the cur
tain began slowly to descend on the
death scene.
An electric thrill ran through the au-
dience, the horror and despair OF the
tragedy before them seemed suddenly
real and tangible, the scream. stran-
gled In Its birth. that came from the
beautiful singer seemed an appeal to
them for help, ana then nm amazing
thing occurred.
In the excitement of the scene no one
had noticed the sudden arrival In the
hall Of DIR. Harrowden. who, pale and
breathless. stood watching the descent
OF the curtain, until, apparently over
powered by impulse he ran up the hall.
leaped up to the stage and, springing
across the footlights, threw himself
upon the count.
In the desperate struggle that ensued,
momentary as It was. before the para
lyzed onlookers rushed to separate the
combatants, no one noticed that Eva
herself had not moved and lay still
under the cushions.
There was the fash of Il knife, an
exclamation from DIR. Harrowden, and
then, as he dropped, stabbed in the
shoulder, a dozen hands were on the
count, and. though he fought with the
llmitless strength OF mailman, he
was overpowered at last by numbers
and carried of tho stage, bound and
helpless.
DIR. Harrowden, whose faintness was
only temporary, had risen already and,
dlsregarding the help offered him, hur
ried to the couch and raised the
cushions.
Eva lay there lnsensible, with the
marks on her white neck where the
counts fingers had gone near to suffo
eating her.
DIR. Harrowdcn bent and laid his ear
to her lips and heart.
"She IL not dead" he said briefly.
Garry her to her room. viii attend
to her"
Wondering ordinations broke out
on all sides. What had happenedf Had
the count really attempted Eva's lifef
How had the doctor been aware of her
dangerf and thousand other ques
lions and surmises. Later, when Eva,
very weak and III. had recovered con.
seriousness. she told the story Of the
counts strange, wild love for her, an
infatuation which had seized him when
they first met In the opera house nj
Milan, OF her inability to shake on the
influence which he exercised over her
in spite Of her dread and dislike Of him.
Of his appearance ut the castle when
she was arranging the cast OF "Othel.
To-" and imperious demand to be al.
lowed to remain there and to play the
title role.
"H0w can l ever thank you enoughr'
she said to DIR. Harrowden when after
many days Of suffering from the
counts stiletto wound, he came. at
her request to see her. 1T was mira
Gle that you should have saved me az
you did. A moment longer. and II
would have been too late. How did
you guess that his acting was realityr'
1.-THE thanks are due really 10 your
self" he said gently. "Your kindness
In singing to that poor little child was
the cause OF your preservation. went
to see her that evening and found her
Just awakened from a strange dream
OF you, which had left the impression
on her mind that you were In danger.
The beautiful lady with the angels
voice. she called you. She would not
be comforted until promised to 60 up
to the castle and assure myself that no
harm threatened you. Her persistence
gave me touch OF anxiety. and II
thint W uIt WIN bOTt VI lntultlOn m
I watched the count that he was mad
felt sure he meant mischief. II seems
almost as II the child had second sight;
but these condolences do occur some.
times"
"And STILL" said Eva, ut IL to you
owe my life. You rlsked yours for
mine. Oh, tell me how TO thank you"
II dare ask nothing" he said, "since
dare not ask too much"
And they were both silent.
But In their silence a hope and a
promise lay. And there are some who
say that the most beautiful singer OF
the day will exercise the prerogative
that her pre-emInence gives to her and
will make romantic marriage entire
iy for ber.-Penny Pictorial magazine.