Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02

euo uieu, can tell You, Naldemar. In order 70
replace her and keep check on you, was
forced to seek out her second SON" Tie
sneered bitterly) "Ah, well, he was not hard
70 eeduce; the fellow was already gambler and
thief he readily fell in with my suggestions;
l married him to my daughter Katherin, with
whom he had fallen madly in love- and created
for him vacancy in the inner circle Thus for
the past two years have played of brother on
Drother-a pretty plan, was IL noty"
1T was the conception of Satanl" stan-
mered Perirord
The Count nodded and smiled as IL a compIi-
ment had been addressed to him. "Ah well, my
son, in spite Of everything, you have at last
beaten me. In my old age you have bested me.
The son of Bosa Gracci has conquered his faith
er. The son Of no other living man could have
done it. / am proud of you, my soni" The
words were uttered in a manner Of such bonn
bastic and fantastical conceit that they were
really ludicrous, but Perigord shuddered at such
praise.
Evil mani" he muttered hoarseyj why have
you told me these dreadful things?"
rs it coldl You are shivering Can you not
see, my son?"
For Gods sake call me anything but thatl
No, see nothing"
The old laughed grimly; then snarled
/ out: ITO think that am beaten by such
blunt-witted creaturel who, at the age of a
hundred and three years. have still keener in
tellect than you, indeed than any living man."
he added vaingloriousy.
Answer mel" said Perigord
1 shall, since time passes swiftly, swiftly.
Every second is precious to the aged, nv son,
precious as gold have told you what I have
told you for two reasons; firstly, because
hoped that the news would hurt you-cursed
dog that you are, fool that was not to strangle
you the day that you were born!" The Counts
eyes glowed for second with fire of splenetic
rage, as he spat out this sudden objurgation, but
quickly calming himself resumed in manner of
| i've amaat TIa
dear son, is that wished you to arrange ali the
details of my escape from this scurvy gang of
yours who have me by the heels"
"You expect me TO help you to escape?' said
Perigord.
"I am rich," said the Count. assist me to
escape, and shall make you wealthy beyond
your widest dreams The gold that you have
taken from me dq not want. know it is not
for you; your council will claim it, greedy
rogues that they are; kings are all greedy, and
your share will be only small. But in Paris in
| Vienna, Naples, Berlin, vast funds Of mine are
deposited. When I am free shall share these
with you-when am freel"
'You will never be free-you are mad to ex.
pect it" groaned Perigord. Tomorrow at day
| light you must die; even I cannot save you;
| it is decreed"
Nonsense, boy, you must save me'
Perigord looked at him, unable to conceal the
anguish that he suffered. Il must fight this
matter out alone" he cried, and hurried from
the tent.
For hours he wrestled with himself fearing,
dreaming dreams full of unspeakable agony
that his physical frame troubled and the
sweat poured from him so freely as to mark the
ground which he lay.
| Twilight had drawn it's mantle round the
earth, when he descended the steps in the gloam-
ing marveling to find how softly beautiful the
world appeared, under its awning Of awakening
stars.
HE frst .ct AZ, str;yrno ~ tha baa.k ,r.. =.
seek out Cressingham and Oetjen.
| To the latter he said gently. Go, my friend
to the yacht, and bring back with you the
priest and five gentlemen whom you will find
awaiting word from me"
| When Oeltjen had gone, he said to Crossing
ham: "You, my Lord, desire win take mes
sage to our prisoner. Tell him that my plans
are unaltered, and he must die within an hour.
Should he ask for me, say that shall not CO.
Tell him further that priest is here who win
confess him if he wills"
| Cressingham departed, and presently entered
the Counts tent The old man was still seat
ed before the now empty champagne bottle, and
his face flushed, his eyes glittered feverishly
in the candle light.
"Ahl" he cried. 'SWhere is Perigordl"
"He has sent me in his place to warn you TO
prepare yourself for DEATH In an hour you will
be shot. am further to inform you that o
priest is in attendance, should you require his
services.
| 'I must see Pergord. Beg him to visit me-
/ shall not detain him for moment"
| "He refuses to see you again, sir"
Refuses! my son dares to refuse his fathers
last wish on earth Tell him that !, Bosa Grac
ci his father, command his immediate presence
herei Don't stare, sir; go and do my bidding!"
The old mans imperiousness was sight mag
nifcent to Witness Cressingham thought him
raving, but nevertheless, much impressed, he
bowed and conveyed the message word for
word to Perigord, adding, however, apologetical
": "He must have turned crazy SIR"
Perigord smiled sadly and answered: Would
that it were as you suppose. He is not crazy
/ am the Count d'Attala's son. Until this day
knew nought of it, but he has crushingly con-
vinced me-"
"And yet--you--will kill him" stammered
Cressingham aghast.
''I shall do my duty" replied the other with
calm and simple dignity. Kindly return and
saw to the Count these words: Your son has
made his peace with God He implores you To-
do likewise, for in an hour you will die"
The Counts face on his comprehending this
message became transfgured with venomousl
and reckless rage He hurled at the young man
perfect storm of angry curses refusing ut
terly to credit the inexorablity of Perigords
determination and only became calm when
Cressingham threatened to reimpose the gag.
Then he fell to whining and miserably entreat-
| ing his enemy to enlist in his favor and endeav-
or to soften his sons stubborn heart
| Cressingham listened for awhile, but becoming
at last utterly disgusted and little unnamed
at the sight Of white head stopped so low, he
retreated and sought out Perigord, that hel
might obtain permission to remove Desire as far
as possible from the scene Of execution, so that
she might not witness her grandfather's death.
/ =