Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-14
table, first taking off the note. which
he carelessly tossed beside the bank

bothered with having your note dis
counted. | have fulfilled my part of
the bargain; fulfill yours" The
count thrust his trembling hands in
to his trousers pockets. He desired to
hide this embarrassing sign from his
accomplice. Annesley went to a small
safe which stood at the left of the fire.
| place and returned with packet some
| what bulkier than the counts He
dropped it beside the money, shudder-
ingly, as though he had touched a
| poisonous viper.
My honor" he said simply. "I
had never expected to sell it so cheap"
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: vet there they stood. as
If fascinated One would have thought
that the colonel would have counted
his money, or Karloff his plans they
did neither. Perhaps the colonel
wanted Karloff 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.
i believe that is ALL" he said quiet
| ~. The knowledge that the deed was
done 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, a
| strange, unnatural calm settled over
him.
The count evidently was not done.
he moistened his lips. There was a
dryness in his throat.
1T is not too late" he said; 81 have
not yet touched them"
1--WE shall not indulge in moralizing
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 aggressively an
gular; some spirit of his predatory
forbears touched his face here and
there hardening it. ~ wish to speal,
In regard to your daughter"
Enough! Take my honor and be
gone!" The colonel's voice was loud
and rasping.
Karloff rested his hands on the table
and inclined his body toward the colo
nel
Listen to me- he began. There
is in every man the making and the
capacity of great rascal Time and
opportunity alone are needed-and a
motive. The other night told Won
that 4 could not give up your daughter
Well, have not given her up. She
must be my wife,
"Must?" The colonel clenched his
hands.
Must. Tonight am going to prove
myself great rascal-with great mo.
tive. What is Russia to me? Nothing
What is your dishonor or my own:
Less than nothing. There is only one
thing. and that is my love for your
daughter" He struck the table and
the flame of the student-lamp rose vic.
lently. "She must be mine. mine,
have tried to win her as an honorable
man tries to win the woman he loves:
now she must be won by an act Of ras.
cality Heaven nor hell shall force ms
to give her up. Yes, love her; and
! lower myself to your level to gail
her."
ITO my level. Take care, am still
a man with mans strength" criet
the colonel
karloff swept his hands across his
forehead. II have lied to myself long
'enough, and to you. | can see nov
that | have been working solely to-
ward one end. My country is not tt
be considered, neither is yours. Do 20,
realize that you stand wholly and com
pletely in my power?" He ran his
tongue across his lips, which burned
with fever.
What do you mean?"- hoarsey.
i mean that your daughter must be
come my wife, or l shall notify your
government that you have attempted
to betray it.
"You dishonorable wretch,' TIL,
colonel balled his fists and protrudet
his neither lip. Only the table stood
between them.
THAT term or another, it does no
matter. The fact remains that yor
have sold to me the fertilization plan!
OF your country; and though 1t be il
times of peace, you are none the less
} guilty and culpable Your daughter
shall be my wife"
Il had rather strangle her with thes.
hands! -passionately.
well, why should l not have hel
| for my wife? Who loves her more
! than 1? | am rich; from hour to hour
! from day to day. what shall not plar
to make her happy? l love her with
all the fire and violence of my race ant
blood | can not help it. I will not
can not live without her! Good God
yes! ] recognize the villiany of my &C
ton. But ! am mad tonight"
So l perceive" The colonel gazet