Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-07

Ine presence OF some Visitor IRON inc SRhAiV""'
world.
He recovered himself in a few seconds. He
had heard the story Of the Countess OF Heath
erstone, and knew who stood before him. But
he recovered himself too late. He was now too
far from the woman TO reach her before she
could scream and arouse the household. And
there was something in store for him that he
had not counted on
Before he could say word or move step
he was covered by revolver. He saw from
the way It was handled that it was no toy, but
dangerous weapon in the grasp Of one who
knew how to use IL. Quick thought has own
hand went to his pocket but his revolver was
entangled in a piece Of torn lining. The two
eyes watched him from their peep.holes, and be-
fore he could free his weapon the Countess
spoke
Keep your hand where it is" she said quiet
ly. "If you move II inch, shall hre'
am good shot-for a woman"
Jordison did not move. He gared like wild
beast caught in trap. His fierce, haggard face
was distorted with rage and fear.
"Tahe out your weapon by the BARREL, con-
tinued the Countess, "and lay it on the table
beside you. If see that your fingers are on the
butt l win shoot you without another word
Jordison ground his teeth in fury, but he
obeyed. For one moment he thought of risking
everything on chance shot. But the odds were
against him, and, whatever happened, he would
rouse the household. He resolved to bide his
time.
"Now walk back to the wall Quick!" He
obeyed. The Countess stepped forward, picked up
his revolver, and placed it in her pocket. Then
she sat down in a chair ten feet from where he
stood. Jordison glanced at the open window.
His only hope lay in Lipp, who watched below
If the man could creep quietly up the ladder
and shoot this termagant of woman, all mgnt
yet be we'll The motor waited on the road by
the creek, and if they could only regain it, pur-
suit would be useless.
But the Countess saw his glance, and with a
woman's wit OWNED his thoughts. She crossed
to the window, closed and bolted it, let down
the blind, and drew the curtains Yet never
for moment did she take her eyes off Jordison.
Now" she said, when she had completed her
task, "will you explain exactly what you want,
and who you are? | think have seen your face
somewhere before
The two eyes glttering through the holes in
the mask seemed to be searching every feature
of his face, and he shrank from her gaze.
"You know well enough that want" he re-
piled sullenly, after pause, and 1T doesn't
matter to you who am" She continued to
gaze at him. Then she laughed.
NO" she said slowly. II don't care what
YOUR name is think 1 have you before.
It is enough for me that you are thief and
a murderer" She brought the last word out
with so ominous an emphasis that Jordisons blood
ran cold. He knew well enough now what he
had to expect, and that loness robbed OF her
| cubs would be more merciful than the woman
who stood before him.
| "a murderer" she repeated in a cold, even
voice. ''the murderer of my son, of my only
| child He was all that had in the world. For
| two years have endured living death, and the
sight of him was all that kept me from killing
myself Now he is dead, and it is you who have
killed him.
The cold sweat gathered Jordison's brow.
He glanced round the room, endeavoring to-
formulate some plan of escape, but only two
things were clear to him--the nickel-plated 70
volver and the pitess eyes that watched every
expression on his face. He knew however that
he must retain his presence of mind, and, striv-
ing to affect an air of indifference, he smiled and
leaned carelessly against the wall
! "You are mistaken, Lady Heatherstone," he
said pleasantly, 81 did not kill your son."
"Not with your own hands" she muttered,
"perhaps not with your own hands; but you saw
him die One does not make such nice distinc-
tions with a gang of murderers. The one who
does the deed does it for all his fellows. My
sons death lies at your door, and I thank God
that he has given you into my hands"
"What do you intend to doY' asked Jordison.
He needed no answer to this question, but he
still wished to gain time.
81 am going to kill you" she replied. II ought
to hand you over to the hangman, but will spare
YOU the horrors of penal system, the black
can. and open grave, the whine of the chaplain,
the burial-servce read over living man. will
be mereiful, and shoot you myself. Perhaps
shall rest when have avenged my son. Each
night he cries out to me from his grave"
He was silent His mind harked back to the
days of the Inquistion when masked figures
like the one before him, sat in judgment and con-
signed heretics to the torture of fire and steel |
The very thought of death was agony to him. |
Life had no pleasure for him, but there was more |
than one duty to be done before he died By
a strange irony of fate the avenger was to be- |
come the victim of vengeance as stern an un-
snarinc as his own. He moved his right hand
from behind his back, and looking at the ring
unon his forefnger-that flat opal given him by
Marie de la Mothe, once pledge of love- now
the symbol of undying hatred. He set his teeth
at the sight of it, and resolved to have last
fling for life He pressed it to his lips in no
shirt of tenderness, but knight of old might
have kissed his sword before he went into battle
II was kiss that tasted of blood.
The Countess of Heatherstone watched the
movement but it inspired her with no pity for
her victim
caught sight Of the ring With her mind full of
dark passion she had noticed it before But now
her woman's curiosity prompted her to glance
AZ the token which seemed so precious to a man
about to die. she saw it, and stepping forward
mace, saw it still more clearly.
Then she gave cry of horror, and the revolver
dropped to her side. Jordison saw his chance
and sprang at her, but she was too quick and
he recoiled from the muzzle of her weapon He
did not notice how it trembled in her hand.
"That ring" she said slowly, trying to speak
in a calm voice. where did you get il? Who
are YOU? Where did you get that ring?-the
opal ring mean" and she looked hard at his