The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-08-26

faith In him, ana, indeed, he mas at
tended our family since he came to
CARDS me as one of his few friends"
MY dear count, will send for him
at once.
Il should tell you that he is rather
eccentric, and is greatly feared. He.
has reputation, singular reputa-
ton
rs he so wickedc" Lady Bysshe
ask ed, arching her brows inquiringly.
ION the contrary, he is most chari-
table, leads the life of hermit, and
prescribes without recompense to any
poor people who consult him. But they
believe him to be a wizard, partly be-
cause of his dress and appearance,
partly because of the cures he makes.
but chiefly because when they see the
red and green lights burning through
the windows of his laboratory at mid
night or early morning, they cross
themselves and tell each other that he
is having a conference with his satanic
majesty. You know how superstitious
our people are" he added, with a low
pleasant laugh.
But is he a chemist?" Lady Bysshe
asked
He is an alchemist. For nearly half
a century he has been seeking for the
secret which shall turn base metals
into pure gold" Sasari told her quite
seriously.
"What?"' Does anyone believe in
such things in this century,"
"Oh, several, I assure you. The clev-
crest men sometimes follow the most
absurd hobbies. ] laugh at DR.. Zof-
FAM for his credulity, and he pities me
for my ignorance. He can name doZ-
en- alchemists who have turned lead
into gold in ancient times. At all
events, lie has wasted half a century
and a large fortune In experimenting.
Have his fees brought him this large
fortune?" Lady Bysshe asked.
NO. for he has never had many
wealthy patients, and l have never
heard from him where he gets the
money to rent his palace, keep up his
laboratory, buy expensive chemicals and
instruments, and give freely to the
poor, not to speak of the silver mug
gets I have seen him drop into the
crucble as If they were so many
stones"
He must be interesting as an indi-t'
vdual." said Lady Eysshe with 4
doubtful air. "Ru, as a doctor
II will pledge myself fer his skill
Then l will send for him" she de-
cided.
~ fear you will have to take the pa
| tent TO him, Tor he has not left his
| palace for years. Nothing viii tempt
him to go far from his laboratory.
where Il fire has been kept burning
night and day for {, quarter OF a cen
| fury"
'"rhen I will take Edith to him the
first diy she Is able to be out. Perhaps
you would come with US"
With pleasure, answered the count
And meanwhile, will prepare him for
your visit"
A week later and they drove through
the Forta NuoVa, nall Hl1e peyohd
| Whlch they came 10 Z Qars ana ueso-
| late locking place whose thick, rough
cfr b,JI fl1 NV,
side. from which It's lower windows
| We're protected ~ thick iron bars. A
| &c" Chlpped ana broken stairs led TO
! Il hign-2rchec doorway, beside
| which hung the rusty handle OF Dell,
whose SOUNDS presently went cchoing
! through empty h:tts ard corridors IN
intern7inahle reVerberaLions.
A fe" minutes later they caught the
| Goun&S of shutting Feet approaching,
then q door Edith had not previously
! noticed was pushed open and Dr. Iof-
FAM stood on the threshold. His Heb
rev origin was Instantly peEceplble in
his wi,he!ei yellow face, with its prom
lncnt nose ana ul3eTnuns lower lip.
! Ills gray beard was uIkenlpt, his high
dome shaped forehead swept by wisps
Of white ha;ir, Whine the crown of his
head was covered by little purple
cap. The chief features in his sage
and kindly countcnance Was his eyes
dark, &unlScn. fur OF underlying sad
ness yet extraordinarily luminous and
with an intelligence that made itself
visible like liGni. Iifi tail. thin figure
was slightly stepped ana clud in q loose
Drown Baberaine, the garment worn by
his people in the east.
lie lifted his little skull cap and bow
ed with dignity and courtesy to Lady
Bysshe and Edith, then warmly greeted
Sasari, who at once explained that he
had brought the patient OF whom he
u raj, ~.