Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-10-23

IN Ar Il Eh VIII.
CN0IGA felt herself yielding TO the
OI devilish insinuation OF Mfllar.
un{u, She made no effort 10 with.
v8za63 draw her hand from Karl's.
She was completely under this SIMS
ter. dominating influence. Karl's viii
seemed equally impotent He could not
shake off the mysterious obsession-
This man was more than q mere phys
ical presence; he was a part of their
very selves-the weaker. sensual im-
pulses against which they had fought.
but which now seemed gaining the
mastery, The struggle went on In the
soul Of each as Millar's voice fell me-
lodiously on their ears:
THE most important thing TO you In
life is TO find your proper mate. Cen
erations of conventional treatment will
try to prevent you from doing 50 by
pretending II Is impossible. But down
In your hearts. in their depths, where
truth is not perverted by the veneer OF
convention, / know and you know that
It is the simplest thing on earth Here
you are full of talent and longing: here
Is a woman, beautiful. passionate
Karl made last struggle against
the inevitable consequence OF this de
mons urging, drawing Olga away
from him.
II beg OF you, don't" he cried.
when | look at you | fear. Please
don't speak of 1t. For six years We
have lived peacefully"
Say what you will" the soft, even
voice persisted. Il can read your
eyes, and they are telling me. Don't
believe him. He lies" he went On to
Olga. He dreams of her-you-every
night and you of him, aud he knows
II, and you know it. All. under
stand the language of your eyes. No
matter what you say, that little love
light in your eyes discredits you. re-
yeals your inmost thoughts, and read
them through"
LET me speak" Kari pleaded. "For
six years we have lived quietly, in
peace, good friends. nothing else. Olga
has not the least interest In me. and
IL ALI quite, Quttc ihSihctCht'
ANY one who thinks Karl capable
of a base thought must be base and
contemplate himselfr' Olga cried.
The two were almost hysterical as
they stood beside each other, warding
OF the evil that seemed to eDanate
from the mysterious person who tow
cred over them from the pulpit backed
chair Karl held Olga's right hand In
his. His left hand was on her shout
der protectingly. Millar spoke quickly,
leaning far down toward them:
1T is not base thought It Is a
beautiful thought, thought shedding
happiness, warmth and JOY upon your
otherwise miserable lives. But happi-
ness, warmth and Joy have price
that must be paid. He who loves wine
too we'll will 60 to drunkard's grave
but while he is drunk with wine an.
gels sing to him.
Whatever the price. his happiness
Is cheaply bought. The poet sings his
greatest song when he is about to die
and is poor, weak human mortal e
live without wine and song and WON
ems lips. A little stump Of q candle
shines It's brightest ere it goes out for
ever. 1t should teach you that ONT
glow OF warmth is worth all this life
can give. Life has no object but to b,
thrown away. 1t must end. Let u!
end it well. Let our raging passion,
set fire to everything about US, burn
I'm In I,tpp
selves are reduced to ashes. Thos,
who pretend otherwise are hypocrite
and liars"
The two listened spellbound to thi
amazing sermon of sin. Karl's arm
slipped down to Olgas waist. He fel
himself ORA wing her closer to him.
Don't be liar" Millar. urged, hi
eyes still burning into them; "don't b
a hypocrite. Be a rascal, but be
pleasant rascal. and the world Is yours
Look at me. All the world Is mine
and what have told you is the homes
confession Of all the world. We ar
baptized not with water, but with fire
Love yourself, only yourself Wea
the softest garments. sip the sweetes
wine, kiss the prettiest lips"
No subtler tempter ever spoke to tn
hearts Of man and a woman. Kal
was leaning over Olga now. He ga,
her eyes. her lips. soft, warm, rose co
ored; he felt her arms as she chung I
him, while over them both gloated til
sinister figure of Millar, the devil, tr
umphant, confident that his work wa
done.
There was crashing ring at til
doorbell that acted like an electri
shock on the group. Karl and dig
came to their senses, dazed, trembling
thankful. SIillar stepped down frol
the chair, baffled, and turned his bac
upon them.
my husband" Olga gasped.
"Mr. Moneybags," Millar sneere
contemptuously.