The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-07-06

to feel LE2g though nAS an 0--A-~-
her she was beyond his reach
God knew that he could not tel this |
child Of the black gulf he had digged
for himself and her
The bell sang its buzZing note; there
was the sound Of crunching wheels
on the driveway; the music ceased
abruptIy. Silence. A door opened and
closed A moment or so later KarlOn.
preceded by the girl came into the
studv she was grave because she
remembered Mrs Chadwick. He was
grave also, he had various reasons
for being so.
Father, the count tells me that ne
has an engagement with you, she
said she wondered if this appoint
ment in any way concerned her.
IT is true. my child Leave US and
give orders that we are not to be dis
turbed."
She scrutinized him sharply. How
strangely hollow his voice sounded!
Was he III?
Father, you are not well. Count,
Won must promise me not to Keep
him long. however important this in
tArview may be. He is i'll and needs
rest and her loving eyes earessed
each line of care in her parents fur
rowed cheeks
| Annesley smiled reassuringly. II
/ took all the strength Of his will, all
that remained Of high order Of cour-
7 age. to create this smile. He wanted
TO cry out to her that it was lie, 3
mockery. Behind that smile his teeth
grated.
IT shall not keep him long, Mademol-
selle.9 said the count. He spoke gent.
/ ". but he studiousIy avoided her eyes
She hesftated for a moment on ths
threshold: she knew not why. Her
i lips even formed words. but she did net
/ sneak. What was it, Something op-
pressed her. Her gaze wandered mae
cisively from her father TO the count
+ from the count 10 her father.
When you are through, she finally
said. bring your cigars into the music
+ room"
with the greatest pleasure,
w7ec-1 replied he corr~
and play, If von So desire; our ousi-
1 ness Is sacn thar vcur music viii be as
a pleasure added +,
Her father nodded but he could
nor force another smile 10 his lips
# The brass rings of the pordere ratified
and she was cons. BUT she left Pc
4 hind a peculiar tabIeau, a tableau sucn
as is formed bv those who stand upon
ice which is about to sink and ensuil
them.
The two men stood perfectly still.
doubt not thar each experienced m
same sensation. that the same though
occurred to each mind. though il came
from different avenues. love ant
shame. The heart az The little clock OF
the manta1 beat tick-toek tieE-tock'
log cracked and fell between the iron
sending up shower Of evanescen
sparzs. one or the lone windows civ
tng our mon the veranda creaked nys
teriouslH
Karlof was first to break the spell
He made a gesture which was eloquen
Of bis distaste Of the situation.
\ LET he terminate this as quicsl
Z as possible he said.
eyes. let ms have done with # befor
L lose my. courage" replied the colo
nell his voice thin and guaverini
He wiDad his forehead with his hand
karchief. F7is nand shone white IN
his nails darblv blue.
The count stepped over 70 the tabl
reached into the inner pocFet OF p
coat. and extracted a packet IN I'll
racket was the enormous sum Of sls0
600 IN notes Of $1,000 denomination
that Il to say. $50 slips Of PAPER r
deerabla ia gold By the govarnmei
which had issued them. On top Of tn
packet Law the colonel's note for $1,000
ut IL true ths+ Karlof never a
certed money from his government
pavment for his services but it
equally true that for every penny
laid ont h. was reimbursed br Russia
Karlof placed the pacBet on 4
h table first taking OF the note viii
he carelessIy tossed beside the ban
IS notes
@You will observe that I have
bothered vith having voar note d
counted. I have fulfilled ny part
r. the BARGAIN fHlfil yoars. 7
- count thrust hia trembling bands