The Washington herald., 1906-10-24
CHAPTER XII-Continued.

were making an afternoon call on SOM
Park Lane acquaintance. II opened wide
nd Cressingham stood amazed 10 see
hall more grand and splendid than tina
Of any European palace he had ever Wis
tied Stately classic columns Of daZZlin:
slabaster ran in double rows down eacl
side to the farthest end, full sixty yard
away, where a wide white marble stair
case mounted gently for twenty feet. thei
hifurceted, each fork leading TO a car
ven marble baIustraded gallery supp0rte,
by the columns underneath. The floor Wa
composed Of innumerable small solid shee
glass mirrors mosaiced into fiowery pat
terms which, Tefecting in all direction!
the many-colored electric lights above
filed the great chamber with a flashing
radiance indescribably magnificent.
Immediately opposite the doorway il
middle distance stood band of gorgeous
y upholstered negro servants. each q
marvel Of physical perfection. their black
and shining faces being in keeping. In
telligent and, although the faces OF
negroes, eomeIy featured IN the center
Of this group, reclining on a many-pillOw-
ed lounge, was figure that once deserted
arrested and irrevocably held the glance
however much inclined 70 rove. A long
lean figure It was, the figure Of tall
and thin but shapely gentleman attired
in the manner Of a bygonr age A coat
of black velvet and rich embroidered
doublet Of white satin encased his body.
Ills less were clad in black velvet trunks
and black silk stockings, and on his feet
Irn q mi Of frh- cd Il
toed, and diamond buckled shoes He was
old. that one might tell but nothing Of
his age for his head was covered with an
old-world powdered wig carefully Golf
fUred with its queue resting between his
shoulders at the back. At first glance his
face appeared supremely beautiful. The
eve observed with delight that rare COM
Einarion of perfect tout ensemble and in
diviuaal perfection of feature. But q long
gaze inspired both doubt and fear COM
mingled with aversion. The brow, 50
lofty and intelligent. was deeply scored
with fTOWning burrows straight above the
eyes. The long and delicately penciled
eyebrows took a satanic upward sweep
beyond the temples. The eyes, so large
and beautifully shaped, were Of a slight
shecny color like nothing so much as
Furnished steel, and their regard was
hard as iron, cold and cynical as death.
The long, strsisht nose with its avched
and qulyeTing nOstrils seemed 10 speak OF
strength indeed, commanding strength,
bat strength combined with supernatural
pride. The arched and clearly chiseled
lips We're red, but thin and cruel. and
IheiT corners dropped with WEAKNESS 0r
scorn- The perfect oval Of the
checks was houeycombed with narrow
wrinkles. ard a million tiny crow s-feet
lurked beneath the eyes. The shcll-like
ears ccned upward to a point like the ears
Italian painters gave TO satyrs and 10
demons. and finally one noted with a
shudder that the massive chin was
strangely cIOven- Behind the head Of the
lounge on which the old gentleman re-
CiinCd stood TWO small. copper ColOred
men. who appeared 10 be slaves. for they
were chained together by thin steel gives
about SIX feet long. the left wrist of one
10 the right Of The other They waited up
rn their master with the most scrHptious
attention, swaying obediently TO his
slightest gesture, their eyes always uu-
waveringly fixed upon his face Crossing
ham subsequently learned that these men
were both dumb, and We're the Count
d'Attala's special attendants, who never
quilted him a moment on any pretext.
and who saved him from the smallest
physical exertion.
The Count d'Attala. tenderIy assisted
by the mauaClcd slaves. was raised slow
~ TO his feet as madame. with her escort.
crossed the threshold. and with stately.
measured steps he advanced 10 greet
them, supported and leaning heavily on
the arms Of his attendants Madame he
took for an instant 10 his breast: he
touched her forehead with his lips then
put her from him. Welcome. my daugh-
ter he said, and looked keenly AT her
Ills voice was q thin barytone. and more
than anything about him betrayed the
measure Of his age. Seemingly satisfied
with her appearance. he smiled and turn
ed TO CresSingham, TO start back. how
over, al sight of the Englishman'S ban
daged face and battered looks. But he
quickly controlled his emotion. and ex-
tending both hands gave the young man
Il cordial grasp.
Welcome TO my house. Lord Francis
CJessinghdm.' he cried in English All
That i have Is yours. tt is Door endOw-
ment but man cannot give more than
lie has"
Ny lord" replied Cressingham grave
y i thank YOU. I should apologize for
my unfortunate appearance, but I fear to
lhiilcJ on your lordship an unmerited as
peislon. since / have suffered at the
hands of one of your l0rdship's servants
who know acted irresponsiblv."
The count turned inquiringlv 70
madame, who answered. NY father. II
was the prince. Lord Francis Law hound
ana helpless at his mercy: behold the
mercy of the prince"
The count smiled and his face in that
smile was the face of a satan. powerful.
inscrutab!e, scornful. unutrcr7bIv cr77cI
The prince acted on his own resno,,si-
Dlltyr believe ne. my lord. ne said
slowly. Il never ill-use a man whom 7
intend 60 kill. o.
Cressinsham felt "a shuddcriDr coJdross
81 his heart, but he answered with aim
Indifference, Your Iordship is "a man Of
great mind who Is satisfied with Tho er-
pTcme. Meauer natures and lesser intel
leciS seek to improve on the punishment
Of death. unable to realize OF understand
that what is absolute is best"
You mean2T
THAT in the hearts Of the multitude
hope springs perennially so strong that
pain with life prolonged is ever prefera-
Die 20 an instant. painless death"
Nv dear Lord Francis. YOU speak Of
ordinary pain. 7 have known men pray
for death
While in agony"
True. but for the moment. OF vour
eoodness, let the question pass. Supper
mas been long spread. and 1 doubt NOT
you are both hungry.
oHerlng his arm with a courtly bow 10
ms daughter, the cid gentleman. always
assisted oy the dumb slaves. led the wav
10 little dining-Toom beyond the stair
case. and there Cressirgham beheld a
small square table set for four in the
most modern Partisan stvle.
ihey seated themselves to find a print
Cd menu before the plate of each: and
This card was so replete and promisefuI
or al good things that IL was hard to
choose a dish among them.
a negro footman stood SILENTLY hasidn