The Washington herald., 1906-11-15

why have you told me these dreadful
things%'
rs it cold? You are shivering. Can
you not sre. my SOM"
For Gods sake call me anything but
that, No; I see nothing"
TIE old man laughed grimly; then
snarled out: TO think that am beaten
by such e blunt-witted creature, I who,
at the age OF hundred and three years.
have still a keener intellect than you.
indeed than any living man." he added,
vaingloriously.
Answer mer' said Perigord.
I shall, since time passes swiftly.
swiftly. Every second is precious 10
the aged. my son, precious as gold.
have told you what I have told you for
two reasons: firstly. because I hoped
that the news would hurt you-cursed
dog that you are fool that I was not
to strangie you the day that you were
born" The counts eyes glowed for a
second with Il fire Of splenetic rage. as
he spat out this sudden objurgation. but
quickly calming himself. resumed in a
manner Of superlative sweetness: The
second reason, my dear son, IS that
wished you 10 arrange all the details
Of my escape from this scurvy gang of
yours who have me by the heels, You
/ see. ! am old and feeble, so cannot help
myself. I dislike troubling you, but after
all, TO whom should a man look for as
lsistance II not to his own ofTspring?'
/ You expect me to help you to escape?'
/ said Perigord.
The counts thin lips curled scornfuIIy.
/ BE content with having ruined me; do
| you wish 70 make yourself a parTicide?
/ Perigord's face went Iivid. then CHASTITY
white. from the various emotions that
were raging IN his bosom. Not that,
/ he muttered brokenly. my God, not
/ that"
4 am rich" said the count. Assist
me TO escape. and I shall make you
I wealthy beyond your widest dreams. The
/ gold that you have taken from me I do
not want. ! know it is not for you; your
/ council viii claim it. greedy rogUes that
/ they are; kings are all greedy, and your
snare viii be only small But in Paris, IN
/ Vienna. Naples, Berlin. vast funds OF
/ mine are deposited When 1 am free ]
! shall share these with you-when 1 am
/ freer
You will never be free-you are mad tc
expect it, groaned Perigord. ''To-mor-
row at daylight you must die. even ]
! cannot save you; it is deCreed.
! Nonsense, boy. you must save me-"
"Ah. let me think Perigord started
abruptly TO his feet, his hand pressed
/ tightly to his side
i YES. think-think Of the wealth that
will be yours If you assist me. Only thus
can it be yours, for without me you car
! get none OF It ] vow I would rather ben
eft the banks and let them keep the gold
! forever if you should prove so curst a son
as 10 let ne die. Think, Valdemar; it is
your father who appeals TO you-youl
! father. boy"
Your life has been too evil; you are
not fit to live"
Il shall repent. for ! am too old to en-
| gage in further wickedness. Assist me
/ to escape, and in some secret corner Of
I the world 1 shall spin out my few remain
/ ing days. Watch over me, guard me as
you viii. you viii find that I shall do as
/ say; that my repentance shall be sincere
I swear to you, for a long while now
/ have felt remorseful Of the past; you
would not have me perish in my sins, un-
shr'ven, my son? Besides, If you are
kim. when I die all I have shall be
yours"
The old man had assumed an expression
Of sorrow. of profound humility, but Z
mocl1ing demon lurked in the yes that
watched Perigord so narrowly He spoke
/ slowly, choosing every word, and mark
ing its effect; he was playing upon hi:
sons heart as a musician would upon the
| chords of an unfamiliar instrument
! Wen, my SOM" he muttered after long
pause.