Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-10-16

but The duke Is DOT LIVING thefs Any
more" Olga inteiposed. He b In
Madrid"
Yes. I know that I met the duke
In Paris"
He has sold bis house to rs. We
are living there now. and the ball Is
given by me-" she went on
The man looked az her. his black
eyes seeming to burn through her own
Shrinking. fearful. fascinated. Olga
was held in the spell Of those eyes.
WAS I mistaken Am I not tnvlf.
sdy" he asked
Yes. you are invited" she faiter.
ed. q.
She could not resist the subtle innu.
ence OF the man. even while every IN
stinct Of good made her recoil from
him. With a triumphant smile be
bowed and said softly:
Madame. a little while ago you ask
ed me what I wanted. 1t was your In
vitation that I wanted ] thank you"
But my husband" Olga said. al.
ready repentlng Of the advantage she
had given him.
"Oh, he will be delighted to see me-"
the stranger assured her confidently.
He speculates IN wheat. I have IN
formation that will be of value to
him. The crop has turned out worse
than was expected. You love your
husband. You should be happy that
the wheat crop Is bad"
II am." Olga assented. I'VE want
wheat to be bad because the price will
60 up"
Your husband VIII make another
fortune. and you will have the new
gown you want"
How do you know ! want q new
gown" Olga asked, falling In once
more with the devils humor OF the
man.
II observe that you have a new hat
and q pretty one. Surely you want a
new gown"
You must be married"
Married! Not l." he exclaimed. "A
wife is like a monocle. II looks well.
but one sees more clearly without It"
"Your views seem against marriage
Why" Olga asked.
The tone Of Millar became suddenly
serious as he said:
"You want Karl to marry. want
to prevent him from marrying"
please let's not discuss that" Karl
protested.
Pardon me, Karl, but an artist
should not marry" he went ON. Your
future wife will swear to stand by
your side for life-until the wedding
day-and the day after she will be in
your way"
mot the true wife," Olga declared.
"Ah. but the true wife Is always the
other fellows Wife" he answered
Millar had talked so absorbingly
that Karl aud Olga unconsciously drew
near TO each other. They stood In
front Of the high pulpit back OF the
armchair. each Que resting a hand on
the chair back. Although they were
quite unaware Of 1t. their position sug.
gested that Of a young couple before
the altar about TO be Joined in wed.
lock. The cynical humor Of the situa'
ton struck Millar. who walked around
them, stood In the chair and leaned
over the back. like Q preacher In his
pulpit.
"You are a pessimist," Olga declared
looking up at him.
mo, not a pessimist; only practi
cal"
II agree with you" Karl said. "A
man should stay at home"
Millar leaned down. placing his hands
over Karls and Olga's as they rested
on the back of the chair Looking a,
Karl. he said:
"Why didn't you stay at homer You
, ran away to become an artist. You re
fused a professional position and ordl
nary morals. a decent occupation at sc
much week. You wanted to 60 ou'
and seek the golden fleece Of fame
Now fight your battle: eight 1t alone
don't get married"
As he spoke be lifted the hands Of
Karl and Olga and placed them to
gether, holding them clasped In hi!
own. They thrilled at each other.
touch: they looked into each other''
eyes, and they hardly heard the cynica
DEVILS voice as Millar leaned yet far
Their toward them and said:
Il was thinking what a splendid cou
pie you two would make"
Continued next week.