Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1908-10-31

and he hurried out and made his way
afoot TO the tattered little building In
which she lived. hoping there to find
forgetfuiness. But go where be
would the haunting black eyes, the
! cynical smile. that even, persistent
voice, the insidious suggestions Of Mill
lar, the devil. followed him and would
not be shaken Off.
In a 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 Mlllar
had given him regarding business af-
fairs in Russia, in which he was heav-
lily Interested Olga was torn by con-
hieting emotions. The mar had reused
in her the dormant love for Karl
which she believed buried forever. She
could not deny to herself now. as she
had denied for six years. that she
loved him She knew now that during
those six years 1t had been to Kari.
not to Herman, that she had turned
AVl - hiDhiIts III uliutl std utliH1. diil
the knowledge maddened her.
Deep in her heart Olga exalted duty
before every other virtue. and the duty
of 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
ished. 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 a lie even to her
self. She loved Karl.
But, away from Millar's influence.
che resolved that she would yet bat
pulses he had aroused. She would go
ahead with the ball. She would bring
Karl and Elsa together. She would
make the artist love t>e beautiful, ac-
eompIlshed girl whom <he herself had
selected for his bride. She would
make him happy; make them both hap
by, even If it meant that she must
crush out her own hopes of happiness
In doing so.
THAT Is Il very remarkable man, that
friend of Karl's," Herman said after
they had driven some time in silence.
Eyes. He is very disagreeable," Olga
replied.
"Oh. | don't think SOL" Herman pro-
tested ITO me he seemed very agree
able. Where does be come from? He
seems to awe been everywhere and TO
know every body"
"And everything" assented Olga
YEARLY. Il cannot tell you anything
about him. Karl met him a year ago
at Monte Carlo"
81 am glad you persuaded him to
come tonight" Herman said. lie is
going to give me information that viii
be of great value to me-"
Olga was on the point of telling Her
mar all about the terrible sermon the
stranger had preached to them, of his
wicked i%nsinuations and of her terrible
dread, but she checked herself. Her
mar 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 n of
the finest residences in Park lane. 1t
had been built by a wealthy noble
man and completed with a princely dis
regard for expenditure. 1t stood in
the center of a 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 and potted plants along
the stairs and halls. All was hustle
and preparation. Herman delightedly
went forward and examined every de-
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 W room. She
dined alone under the plea of a 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 inferred
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
him to arrive. She wanted to talk to
him. to hear again the soft, persuasive
voice. the insidious harmony of his
words that seemed to frame for her
the thoughts she had never dared ex-
press.
She was bright. alive, witty, charm
ing in the beauty of her fresh color,
her glorious hair, her splendid figure
set off charmingly in an evening gown
OF white satin brocade. She stood at
the head Of the winding stairway lead
ing to the drawing room when Millar
came.