Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-18

bank and the sum of five figures.
What is this?" he demanded.
ut is mine," replied the count,
haughtily.
Warburton released him
He speaks truly" said the colonel
cit is his"
Fhe hour of madness is past" the
Russian began, slowly and unsteady
me tone was musing He seemed OBJ
iiVious of his surroundings and that
three pairs of curious eyes were levelcd
IN his direction. He studied the note,
creased 1T, drew it through his fingers,
smoothed it and caressed it, "And 1
should have done exactly as threat
ened. There Is. then, a Providence
which watches jealousy over the inno-
cent? And | was a skeptic!
Two hundred thousand dollars,"-
picking up the packet of bank-notes
and balancing 1t on his hand. well
1t Is sum large enough to tempt any
man. How the plans and schemes of
men crumble to the touch! Ambition
is but the pursuit of mirages.
Mademoiselle, you will never know
what the ignominy of this moment
has cost me-nor how we'll love Won
l come OF race of men who pursue
their hearts desire through fire and
water. Obstacles are nothing; the
end Is everything. In Europe | should
have won. In honor or in dishonor.
But this american people, do not
quite understand them; and that Is
why |, have played the villain to no
purpose"
He paused. and a sad bitter smile
played over his face.
"Mademoiselle, he continued
"henceforth, wherever may go, YOUR
race and the sound of your voice shall
abide with me. do not ask YOU to
forget, but | ask you to forgive %
Again he paused.
She uttered no sound
We'll, one does not forget nor for
give these things in SO short a time.
And, after all, 1t was your fathers
folly. Fate threw him across my path
at critical moment-but | had reck-
oned without you. Your father is a
brave man, for he has the courage to
oHer himself to the law; have the
courage to give you up. l, too, am a
soldier; | recognize the value of re-
treat. To Warburton he said: "a
groom, a hostler, to upset such plans
as these! | do not know who you are.
Sir, nor how to account for your time
~ and peculiar appearance. But I
fully recognize the falseness of your
presence here. Eth, we'll, this Is what
comes of race prejudice, the senssless
battle which has always been and al
ways will be waged between the noble
and the peasant. Had observed you
at the proper time. our positions might
relatively have been changed. Useless
retrospection!" To Annesley; Sir,
we are equally culpable Here is this
note of yours. | might. as a small
contribution toward righting the com
parative wrong which have done you
l might cast 1t into the fire. But be-
tween gentlemen, situated as we are
the act would be as"useless as 1t would
be impossible. l might destroy the
note, but you would refuse to accept
such generosity at my hands,-which
is we'll"
What you say is perfectly true"
The colonel drew his daughter closer
to him.
So went on the count, putting
the note in his pocket, tomorrow |
shall have my ducats''
MY bank will discount the note,''
said the colonel, with a proud look;
my Indebtedness shall be paid in full"
"As | have not the slightest doubt.
Mademoiselle, fortune ignores you but
temporarily; misfortune has brushed
only the hem of your garment, as
| 1T were. Do not let the fear of
poverty alarm you" lightly. II
prophesy great public future for
you. And when you play that
Largo Of Handels, to a breathless
audience, who knows that 1 may not
be hidden behind the curtain of some
stall, drinking In the heavenly sound
made by that loving bow? Ro-
nance enters every human beings
! AAAS, AAhC lOSC, anu udLc, IL ~ pllullLIVC.
But to every book fate writes finis."
He thrust the bank notes carelessy
into his coat pocket, and walked slowly
toward the hallway. At the threshold
he stopped and looked back. The girl
could not resist the magnetism of his
dark eyes. She was momentarily fasci-
mated, and her heart beat painfully.
''If only might go with the memory
of your forgiveness" he said
II forgive you"
Thank YOU" Then Karloff .reso-
lutely proceeded; the portiere fell
behind him. Shortly after she heard
the sound of closing doors, the rattle of
carriage and then all became still.
Thus the handsome barbarian passed
| from the scene.
The colonel resumed his chair, his
arm propped on a knee and his head
| bowed in his hand. Quickly the Cir
fell to her knees, hid her face on his
breast. and regardless of the groom's
presence, silently wept
o1,i bo al