The Bowbells tribune., 1905-02-24

of him-a sorcerer! Oh, what devils
work is this? What is to become of
this beautiful young LADY,"
But Helen Beauclair, as If Slightly
impatient, said:
,"Speak Of Helen Beauclair. l am
sure now that have known some one
of that name. What was the name of
the young man she loved? The story
seems familiar 10 my mind. Perhaps
have read something of the kind
Every likely" replied Sosia, drily
Well as l discovered that she and her
favored lover were about to elope. and
as I wished to blast his hopes, l had
him arrested upon a false charge and
cast into prison. I then anonymously
warned Lady Ida of Helens infatua.
ton for this obscure young man, but
did not inform her Of his arrest. At
the same time advised Lord de Lavet
to urge Lady Ida to hasten with Helen
to Galway secretly, to avoid the pur:
suit of Helens favored lover. Lady
Ida oheved the counsels Of Lord de
L.avet But before Helen was carried
away from London. as a prisoner. ]
secretly gave her medical pellet, tell.
ing her of it's wonderful power and
warming her not to use it except when
all other means Of escape from a hate
ful marriage had failed. These were
NV words. Note them carefully as I
speak them. and tell me if you can re.
member ever having heard them be.
fore.
Sosia then took small white pill
from a silver vial, held the pill toward
the young lady, and said in very
grave and distinct tone:
"Two results may follow the swal
lowing OF this pellet First, you may
fall instantly. as if dead. Your ap
pearance will so resemble actual death
that experienced physicians shall say
YOU died instantly of some disease OF
the heart You may, and probably will,
remain in this state, wholly uncon
scious and to all appearance corpse
for four days and six hours. During
that time-probably on the third day
you will be buried, if | do not find
means to rescue you, and if l do not
I will at the last moment reveal to
Lady Ida the truth, and you shall be
rcsored to life and health. | will tell
her that she must either bury You
alive, or consent to your immediate
marriage with your beloved. Doubt
not that she will consent to this mar
riage rather than live with the horrl'
Bile belief that her obstinate pride has
caused you to be buried alive. But
there is another result which may foI
low the swallowing OF this pellet. Yon
NAV die really and instantly. or die
while unconscious. The chances are
that you will be rescued, and welded
to the one you love; but there is a
chance that you may really die. Dc
YOU remember ought OF this, young
lady?'
The expression of Helen's face hao
begun to change from one OF clllldllke
wonder to one of great and startled IN
tellicence She unlocked her hands
from her forehead and raised herself
upon one elbow. Her splendid black
ewes began 10 Spdl ME WIN 81 St'1 oAAA
liancy.
Go on" she said, in quick. 10"
tone. II have either heard or read all
this-somew .-When?' and again
she sat up in bed and pressed hel
throbbing temples with both hands.
"Helcn Beauclair." continued Sosla
accepted the pellet and its periIs
She replied 10 my warning. Death
even il be suicide. is not so dreadful tC
NV mind as marriage with Lord de
Lavet.
"Those words stand before my eyes
like print which have read--and they
sound in my ears as if II, on this
bed-had spoken them aloud. When:
Where? Why?" murmured Helen, saz'
ing at vacancy rather than at Sosia.
Sosia's great eyes--keen. vigiiant
governmental, terrific i'll their eXultanl
slauce-hashed one glance toward the
hidden listeners, and then fixed thei;
gaze upon the disturbed face of Helen
ITO Be Continued.)