The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1910-04-30


fuse; go with him and / will go with
you. Where he goes and where / go,
follow without iinching. And now, all
that have said leads up to this final
remark. Avoid the seventh step. Bear
this in your mind-it is your last
chance-Dagmar."
read this note over twice. The ter
rible feeling of horror left me to some
extent after the second reading. | sus-
pecteGA what was indeed the case,
that I had fallen unwittingly into
hornets nest of nihilists. There was
only one thing to do-be as wary and
guarded as possible, and when the
final moment came, sell my life as
dearly as possible.
l then went downstairs Servants
were standing about who quickly d1-
rected me to the reception rooms. A
| powdered footman flung open the door
of the great drawing-room and called
my name in ringing voice. Prof.
| Sorensen came forward to meet
me. A lady also came Up at the same
time and held out her hand. She was
dressed in black velvet with rich lace
and many magnificent diamonds.
They shone in her sandy hair and glis-
tened round her thin throat. | started
back in amazement. Here was Sister
| Hagar metamorphosed
ALLOW me to introduce my wife,
Nine. sorensen," said the professor.
| Nine. Sorensen smiled at me. you
look astonished, and no wonder, Dr.
Halifax" she said "But, ali, how
naughty you have been to read our Sc
crets." She turned away to speak to
another guest. The next moment din
ner was announced.
AS we sat around the dinner table
we made large party. Men ana
women of various nationalities were
present. but l quickly perceived, to
my own surprise, that was the guest
of the evening. To me was given the
doubtful honor of escorting Nine. Sor-
ensen to the head of her table, and IN
honor of me, also, English, by com
mon consent, was the language spoken
at dinner.
Presently the ladies withdrew, and
|
long over wine. We went to the draw
rooms where music and light CONVEX
sation. were INDUCED in. AS soon as
we came in Miss Sorsensen, who was
standing alone in distant OF the
room, gave me look which brought
me to her side. began to talk to her
in a gay tone of light badinage, to
which she responded with spirit. Sud
denly, as the conversation arose full
and animated around us, she dropped
her voice, and said with slow, thrilling
distinctness:
"You Americans have pluck-l ad
mire you. You are acting just as
expected you would. Continue talk
ing-nothing could be better for my
purpose-don't you observe that Hagal
is watching us?'
rs not Nine. Sorsesen your aunt?
1 asked.
IN reality she is no relation o.
mine; but hush, you are treading OF
dangerous ground. 2
1T is time for me to say farewell,
/ said, rising suddenly to my feet.
held out my hand as / spoke.
NO, you must not so yet, she said
she rose also. A certain nervous hest
tation was observable for moment il
her manner, but she quickly steadiet
herself
Uncle Oscar, come here, she calleC
out, and the professor approaches
hastily at her summons. She stood il
such a position that he could not SCI
her face, and then gave me look o
intense warning. When she did this
I knew that the CLEAN of hope whicl
had given me false courage for me
ment during dinner was at an enc
J There was no insanity in those Lowell
a eyes. Her look braced me, however
= determined to take example by he
d marvellous GOODNESS. In short, l re
J. solved to do what she asked me, an
/ to place my fate in her hands.
e Uncle Oscar" said the young lady
n s'Dr. Halifax insists upon leaving u
i early; that is scarcely fair. is it?"
r 1T must not be permitted, DR.. Hal
n fax" said the professor, in his mos
r courteous tones. Il am looking fol
:, ward to getting your opinion on se1
r, eral points of scientific interest
e Suppose we take DR.. Halifax to tn
}. laboratory now" suggested Miss Sol
/ ensen. He can then see some of you
experiments"
/ "A good idea,'' assented the profe:
e sor. q observe that all my guests ar
n now happily employed, SO there is n
s time like the pRsent."
n Accompanied by Miss Sorensen, W
left the drawing rooms. AS we passe
>, Madame Sorensen that lady called CT
v to us to know if l were taking m
leave for the night. On being il
% formed that we were going to her hui
e bands laboratory she bowed an
smiled, a queer, vindictive flash shil
q ing for an instant in her piercing ligf
d eyes. She made no comment, hoy
v ever, and we proceeded on our wa.
NJ sooob +ho laboratory we had