The Washington herald., 1906-11-16

was the first to break. for Perigord was
again in the throes Of spiritual agony,
and he desperately fought for strength
to utter the terrible command which was
to hurl his father to perdition.
''Bosa Gracci." said the cardinal in
low, trembling voice, "I impIore you to
confess your sins, to repent before you
die"
The Count d'Attala chuckled, and
jeered "Ha, ha, there's a sweet Chris
tian for you; I've already smacked both
his cheeks. and he implOres me"
The cardinal fell upon his knees and
cried out with a humility that touched
Cressingham TO the heart; Ny son, i'm
ploTe you TO save your immortal soul
while there is time. 1t is the eleventh
hour, but even yet true repentance may
prevail. Did not Christ pardon the thieves
upon the cross? My son. relent, relent,
Trust TO the divine mercy of the Re
deemeT; let your heart be touched by His
supreme. eternal love. He lived and died
to save you; win you let His work. His
sacrifice, His sufferings for you go all
in vainy' He paused.
The count replied "Signore. I could
listen to you so much more comfortably
with a cigarette between my lips. You
The cardinal got slowly to his feet.
Foolish man, you dare 10 mock at me,
about to die"
"On the contrary" said the old man
politely. II admire you; think. though.
that you have mistaken your calling.
What fame you might have achieved
upon the stage." and he chuckled at the
jibe.
PerigOrd started suddenly forward at
this instant, his clnehed hands pressed
tightly to his sides. Gentlemen he
cried. "the time has cone-make ready
Stop" shouted the count, command
ingly. AT least allow me to preside
over my own funeral. I wish 10 say a
few words first. Do not fear. however;
I shall not curse you. Curses are the
vainest waste of breath 1 should. OF
course, dearly Ike to kill you all. but I
am pOweTiess. I am wise enough to rec
ognize my position. philosopher enough to
accept Il with resignation. What I wish
to speak of is my invention. You will
find in a square steel box among my
papers a set of plans and specifications
describing mechanism which has taken
me thirty years to perfect; a mechanism
which is destined by the solved problem
Of perpetual motion 10 provide the force
OF the future. You perhaps think that
my boast is wild; but I assure you. gen
tlemen, that over thirty years ago I
solved the problem of perpetual motion.
and at that time constructed three ma
chimes which have worked of themselves
ever since. They are ali In the boathouse
yOnder. and a glance at them will verify
my words. Now with regard 70 my dis
COveries. it is my earnest wish, my dying
wish, which as gentlemen I am sure YOU
hot h. IL
as possible in the possession of and at
the exclusive service of the British gov
ernment for use in the English navy
England is the only country which 1
have any esteem for, and which I should
like to benefit. / beg you 20 give me your
assurance that you will do as request"
Every one replied at once in the affirma-
tive, for with nc exception they believed
him TO be speaking wildly, perhaps de-
mentedly, but they could discover no rea-
son why he should not be pacified since,
after all, he was expressing a last wish.
The count nodded his thanks and swayed
a little on his bound feet. Then in a voice
of power and dignity ne calmly said:
'sWaldemar, farewell! go to dust. where
one day you viii follow me. Firing party,
two steps! Ready! Present armsi
Fire.
The revolvers cracked out their dis
charge. two simultaneously, the others at
desultoTy and sharply noticeable inter
walls of fragments of seconds. The Count
d Attala threw out his arms. and dou-
bling UP his body, sank to the ground in a
nerveless heap without a gasp or groan.
three bullets in his heart He was buried
where he fell, deep beneath the still white
sand of the island of his name The tidal
waters Tapped the covering Of his grave.
and before an hour had passed no mound
or other sign remain to mark his resting
place.
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