Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-10-30

think h. Is the devil" he added VIM
dictively.
Heinrich had been terrified when
Muiar. returning IN the studio in karis
absence. had taken possession with the
utmost cOolness Of Karls guest cham
her and Proceeded ia change % the
evening clothes which had been sent In
| him there rom the iailor's. Unwilling
! 10 meet the man again. Kari hurried
into his own room and locked the door.
He did not emerge again until long
after Millar had completed bis dress
Ing ard had left the studio.
Kari tried desperately 20 drive
thoughts Of Olga from his mind. hut
the terrible fame of passion which
mad grown from the tiny. buried spark
4 Of boy hove that lurked In his heart,
under the sinister suggestion OF Millar.
tortured him. He could hardly keep
himself from rushing OF 20 Olga's
house in advance Of the ball 10 beg
her 10; 10 proceed with her design OF
| bringing him and Elsa together, 10 tell
her that he loved her and that In all
/ the world there lived no other woman
for him. Desperately at last he re-
membered his promise Ia see Mimi.
and he hurried out and made his way
afoot to the tattered little building In
which she lived, hoping there 10 find
| forge,fulness But 20 where he
| would the haunting black eyes. the
cynical smile. that even. persistent
voice, the insldious suggestions OF Mil
lar. the devil followed him and would
not he shaken Oh.
In II state OF mind even more des-
perate than that of Karl. Olga went
home with Herman. Their journey
was as silent as their carriage was ST.
lent. Herman was absorbed In con-
| temptation OF the Information Millar
had given him regarding business af-
iairs In Russia. In which he was heav-
Ly Interested. Olga WAS torn by con-
ticting emotions. The man had reused
In her the dormant love for Kari
which she believed buried forever. She
could not deny TO herself now, as she
had denied for six years. that she
|
those six years II had been 10 Karl,
DOT 10 Herman, that she had turned
for sympathy. for understanding and
the knowledge maddened her
Deep in her heart Olga exalted duty
before ever" other virtue. and the duty
st a loyal wife before every other
duty She could feel now the crum-
bling away Of all her principles. her
convictions. the ideals she had cher
lshed She had believed for six years
that she had given to Herman every
bit Of her love and loyalty. and now
she was forced TO the self confession
that she had lived lie even to her
self. She loved Karl.
But. away from Millar's influence.
she resolved that she would yet bat.
tie with and overcome the terrible I'm.
pulses he had aroused. She would go
ahead with the ball She would bring
Karl and Elsa together. She would
make the artist love the beautiful. ac-
complished girl whom she herself had
selected for his bride. She would
make him happy. make them both hap
ny, even If il meant thai she must
crush out her own hopes OF happiness
in doing So
That is a very remarkable man. that
friend Of karrs." Herman said after
they had driven some time in silence.
Yes. He Is very disagreeabls." Olga
replied.
oh don't think so.' Herman pro.
tested. ITO me he seemed very agree.
able Where does he come from: He
seems to have been everywhere and to
know everybody"
And everything" assented Olga
YEARLY. Il cannot tell you anything
about him. Karl met him year ago
at Monte Carlo"
81 am glad you persuaded him to
come tonight" Herman said. HE Is
going to give Inc information that will
be Of great value to me"
Olga was on the point OF telling Her
man all about the terrible sermon the
stranger had preached to them, OF his
wicked insinuations and of her terrible
man seemed fatuously delighted by
Millar, and she could not bring herself
to talk to him now. They continued
the ride In silence until home was
reached.
Herman and Olga occupied one Of
the finest residences In Park lane. 1t
had been built by wealthy noble
man and completed with princely dis
regard for expenditure. 1t stood In
the center Of q considerable park. sur
rounded by trees and gardens.
Preparations were already going for
ward for the ball when Herman and
Olga reached home. Decorators were
putting the finishing touches on the
magnificent ballroom. Florists were
banking ferns aud potted plants along
the stairs and halls. All was hustle
and preparation. Herman delightedly
tail Of the work. Olga, who ordinarily
would have taken the same keen inter-
est In the preparations, turned YEARLY
away and went to her own room. She
dined alone under the plea Of head
ache and did not again appear until
the guests began to arrive In the even
ing.
"YOu look very beautiful. my dear"
Herman said to her when she entered
the drawing room.
Her mood had changed. Her eyes
seemed unnaturally bright. She her
self could not tell what had caused the
change. When she reached home she
had looked forward with shuddering
aversion to her second meeting with
Millar. Now she was impatient for