Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-09-05

ANN ioiNc diotHeE Smile 10 MS lips.
The brass rings of-the portiere ratified,
and she was gone. But she left be
hind peculiar tableau, tableau such
as is formed by those who stand upon
ice which is about to sink and engulf
them
The two men stood perfectly still. I
doubt not that each experienced the
same sensation, that the same thought
occurred to each mind. though II came
from different avenues: love and
shame. The heart Of the little clock on
the mantel beat tlok-tock, textbook; n
log cracked and fell between the irons
sending up a shower Of evanescent
sparks: one of the long windows Civ
ing out upon the veranda creaked rnys-
teriously.
Karlon was first to break the spell
He made gesture which was eloquent
OF his distaste of the situation.
Let us terminate this as quickly
as possible" he said.
yes, let us have done with II before
| lose my courage" replied the colo
mel his voice thin and quavering
He wiped his forehead with his hand
kerchief. His hand shone white and
his nails darby blue.
The count stepped over to the table
reached into the inner pocket of his
coat. and extracted packet In this
packet was the enormous sum Of $3.50
eco in notes of 81 900 denomination:
that is to say, $50 slips of paper re-
deemable in gold by the government
winch
packet lay the colonel's note for 500. 900
ut is true that Karloff never ac-
cepted money from his government In
payment for his services: but n Is
equally true that for every penny he
laid out he was reimbursed by Russia)
karlof placed the packet on the
table, first taking of the note. which
he carelessly tossed beside the bank
notes.
'You will observe that have not
bothered with having YOUR note dis
counted. | have fulfilled my part Of
'he bargain; fulhll yours" The
count thrust his trembling hands in
TO his trousers pockets. He desir ed to
hide this embarrassing sign frorn his
accomplice. Anncslev went to n small
safe which stood at the left of the fire
place and returned with a packet some
what Dultler than the counts He
dropped it beside the money. shudder-
ingly, as though he had touched
poisonous viper
My honor he said simply. az
had never expected to sell It so cneap."
There was a pause. during which
neither mans gaze swerved from the
others. There was not the slightest
not even the remotest. fear of treach
cry; each man knew with whom he
was dealing; yet there they stood. as
II fascinated One would have thought
that the colonel would have counted
his money. or Karloff his plans: thev
did neither. Perhaps the colonel
wanted karlof to touch the plans first.
before he touched the money: per-
haps Karloff had the same desire. only
the other way around.
The colonel spoke.
Il believe that is all" lie said ouie,
ly. The knowledge that the deed was
cone and that there was no retreat
gave back to him a particle of his
former GOODNESS and strength Of mind
1t had been the thought OF committing
the crime that had unnerved him.
Now that his bridges were burned
strange, unnatural calm settled over
him.
The count evidently was not done.
lie moistened his lips There was
dryness in his throat.
1T is not too late" he said; 'T have
not yet touched them"
I'VE shall not indulge I'm moraIizing
If You please" interrupted the colonel.
with savage irony THE moment for
that has gone by"
Very we'll" Karloff's shoulders set
tied; his jaws became aggressiveIy an
gular; some spirit Of his predatory
forhears touched his face here and
there. hardening it. "T wish to speak
in regard to your daughter"
Enough! Take my honor and be
gone The colonels voice was loud
and rasping
Karlo1 rested his hands on the table
and inclined mis- body toward the colo
mel.
Listen to me" he began. There
Is in every man the making and the
canacity of a great rascal. Time and
opportunity alone are needed-and a
motive The other night I told Won
that could not give up your daughter.
Well / have not given her up. She
must be my wife"
Must The colonel clenched his
hands