Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-10


for fear Of losing some OF the gossip.
After the liqueurs my butler con-
cluded that his labor was done and he
offered short prayer OF thankful
ness and relief. Heavens, what mad.
fantastic impulses had seized him
while be was passing the soup. Sup
posing be had spilled the hot LIQUID
down Karloff's back, or poured out a
glass OF burgundy for himself and
drained it before them all. or slapped
his late colonel on the back and asked
him the state Of his liver? IL was
maddening and he marvelled at his es-
cape. There hadn't been a real mis-
hap. The colonel had only scowled at
him; he was safe. He passed secretly
from the house and hung around the
bow-window which let out on the low
balcony. The window was open. and
occasionally he could hear a voice from
beyond the room, which was dark.
1t was one Of those nights. those mild
November nights. 10 which the novel
lists of the old regime used to devote
a whole page; the silvery pallor on
the landscape the moon-mists. the
round, white. Inevitable moon. the stir
ring breezes. the murmur OF the few
remaining leaves. and ali that But
these busy DAYS we have not the time
10 read nor the inclination to describe
Suddenly upon the stiffness of the
night the splendor of a human voice
broke forth. the prima-donna was
trying her voice a violin walled a
note. hand ran mp and down the
keys OF the piano Warburton held
his breath and waited. He had heard
Tosu's Ave Maria many times. but
he never win forget the manner in
which 70 was sung that night. The
songstress was care-free aEd among
persons she knew and liked. and she
put her soul into that magnificent and
mysterious throat OF hers. And throb-
bling all through the song was the
vibrant. loving voice of the violin
And when the human tones died away
and the instrument ceased to speak.
Warburton felt himself swallowing
rapidly. Then came Schumann's Trau-
merei on the strings. HandeTs Largo,
GrieC's Papillen. and a ballade by
Chaminade. Then again sang the
prima-donna; old folksy songs.
sketches from the operas. grand and
light. Faust The Barber OF Seville.
Ia File de Madame Angot. In an his
days Warburton had never heard such
music Doubtless ne had-even better;
only az this period he was in love.
The imagination OF loves young dream
IS the most stretchable thing I know
of. Seriously. however. he was a
very good judge OF music. and am
convinced that what he heard was out
Of the ordinary
But I must guide my story into the
channel proper
During the music Karlon and Col
onel Annesloy drftcd into the latter's
study. What passed between them I
gather from bits recently dropped
By Warburtou
Good God KarloT. etat a net you
have sprung aaout me-" said the
colonel. despairinely
MY dear Colonel. YOU have only to
step out OF &c. IL is the eleventh hour:
Il is not too late" But Karloff
watched The colonel eagerly.
How I'm Gods name can step out
Of it2"
simply reimburse me for that $50. 900
I advanced 20 YOU in good faith, and
nothing more need be said" The
counts Slavonic eyes were half-lidded
''To give you back that amount will
leave me a beggar. an absolute beggar,
without a roof 10 shelter me. am too
old for service. and besides, am
physically incapacitated. II you should
force me. ! could not meet my note
save by selling the house my child was
born in. Have you discounted it?"
mo Why should I present IL at the
bank? It does not mature TIL next
Monday, and am in no need of
money"
What a wretch 7 amt
Karlon raised his shoulders resign
edly.
MY daughter"
"Or my ducats." whimiscally quoted.
the count Come, Colonel: do not
waste time in useless retrospect. He
stumbles who looks back. l have been
thinking Of your daughter. love her,
deeply. eternally."
You love herr"
eyes. love her because she appeals
20 all that is young and good in me;
because she represents the highest type
of womanhood. With her as my wife,
why, / should be willing to renounce
my country. and your Indebtedness
would be crossed out Of existence with
one stroke OF the pen"
The coloners haggard face grew light
with sudden hopefulness.
Il have been" the count went on,
studying the ash OF his cigar, It'll
this night what the world and my own
conscience consider an honorable man.
have never wronged a man or woman
personally. What / have done on the
order of duty does not agitate my con-
science. l am simply a machine. The
moral responsibility rests with the
car. When I saw your daughter.
depnlv repraffaE that x-O,, 1uo-o 49,