The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-22
All Rights Reserved. /

But at the next moment, firm, light
footsteps crossing toward him from the
farther side. Of the hedge, drove the
blood back in wave to his heart and
set him trembling. If Lily or his sis
ter should have seen him and III
With childish fury he resolved not to
b be depved Of the Gy aa ne had So
to- his mouth and swallowed. It CON
tanned more of the liquid than he had
thought; more than ever before he had
taken. He crouched in the shadows
and waited for the first dull sensation
OF numbness and nervous relief that
And as he waited the footsteps drew
nearer, passed him and moved into the
full moonlight beneath sLily's window.
Thurso looked up and recognized Vii
lars. He remained spellbound and
speechless as his eyes devoured the 81
lent figure and his brain slowly began
to grasp the possible reasons for its
presence,
A gust Of wrath pierced the sweet
numbness that enveloped Thurso's
senses. Staggering to his feet, for he
was cramped from long, tense STOPPING,
he hurried out into the moonlight in
pursuit.
The double dose of laudanum, fol-
lowing so soon on it's predecessor, had
already begun to work upon mind and
body. It was strangely easy to move.
And the night was very beautiful.
More beautiful than any the world had
ever known. A night Of the gods;
eores &C., Hs must mn t" share its bes Hd ts
its intoxicating wonders, with some
one. There was Villars! How op-
portunely he happened to be there at
the moment! But then, everything was
opportune, perfect. d. >. ..
"Villars,' he, murmured, touching
the the others shoulder, and there was a
counts swift start and look Of alarm
could not mar, "Villars! Did you ever
know there could be such a night as
this? You look like Greek god, pos
ing here in the moonlight. wonder
never before realized what a classic.
face and splendid figure you have!
that bright track over the river, lead.
ing straight to within a few feet of
the farther banks I always used to
think that track was made Of moon
light. But it is not. It is Of silver
purest silver. And you and I are go
Ing to ! BE- .; the first mortals to walk
AS he had been speaking, Thurso had
continued to move toward the river,
drawing the dumfounded Villars along
with a grip from which there was no
escaping. They neared the bank.
"To think!'' murmured Thurso, in
utter ecstacy, "that it should have
been reserved for us two. of all the
: world, to be the first to pass along that
silver track. Don't hesitate, man! IT.
the heaven sent chance Of lifetime. !"
- For ViIlars, with his foot on the
sloping brink, had sought to- draw back.
But his strength was puny and useless
against the mad power Of his guide :
"Have no fear !" laughed Thurso,
st will hold you in safety .Come!''
Up to his knees the frightened Aus
trian was dragged into the cold water.
He could not swim, and the black depths
before him yawned menacingly. The
mailman, rapt look on his white face,
took no note Of the water, but pressed
on. A last futile struggle, a gasping
cry of horror from Villars, and the
river had risen to their waists.
"Thurso!'' ~
It was Lily s voice. Standing on the
bank, her loose white dressing gown
futtering in the night breeze, she called
gently, yet commandingly. - 80
The earl turned.
"It is goddess!'' he muttered;
tfVenus Anodyomene!'
Releasing the trembling count, he
stumbled blindly back to shore.