Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-04
CHAPTER VI.
lnoomede the Beautiful.


lnsomede the Beautiful.
A light, chilling drizzle had been fall
ing all evening, pattering softly upon
the roof of leaves that covered the
sidewalks along Castle avenue.
Almost in the center of the imposing
line of palatial residences stood the
home of the Duke of Perse, minister of
finance, fianked on either side by
structures as grim and as gay as itself,
yet far less significant in their gen.
Grafton. Here dwelt the most i'm
portant man in the principality, not
excepting the devoted prime minister
himself Not that Perse was so we'll
beloved, but that he held the destinies
of the land in Midas-like fingers. More
than that, he was the father Of the far
famed Countess Marlanx, the most
glorious beauty at the Austrian and
Russian courts. She had gone forth
from Graustark as its most notable
bride since the wedding day Of the
Princess Yetive, late in the nineties
Ingomede, the. beautiful, had journeyed
far to the hymeneal altar. Tine hus-
band who claimed her was a hated,
dishonored man in his own land. There
were those who went so far as to say
that her father had delivered her into
the hands of a latter day Bluebeard,
who whisked her off into the high
lands, many leagues from Vienna.
She was seen no more in the gay
courts for a year. Then of a sudden
she appeared before them all, as daz-
zlingly beautiful as ever, but with
haunting, wistful look in her dark eyes
that could not be mistaken. The old
count found an uneasy delight in ex-
hibiting her to the world once more,
plainly as a bit of property that all
men were expected to look upon with
envy in their hearts.
Then the Duke of Perse resumed his
residence N Edelweiss, opening the
old palace nee more to the world. His
daughter after the death of the prin-
cess began her extended visits to the
home of her girlhood. So long as the
princess was alive she remained away
from Edelweiss, reluctant to meet the
friend who had banished her husband
long before the wedding day in Buda-
pest. Now she came frequently and
stayed for weeks at time, apparently
happy during these escapes from life
in the great capitals.
Of late she came more frequently to
Edelweiss than before. John Tullis
was always to remember the moment
when he looked upon this exquisite
creature for the first time. That was
months ago. After that he never ceas-
ed being a secret, silent worshiper at
her transient shrine.
Ten o'clock on this rainy night a
carriage has drawn up before the low
er gates to the Perse grounds, and
tall, shadowy figure leaves it to hurry
through the shrub lined walks to the
massive doors.
Tullis had long since ceased to be a
welcome visitor in the home of the
Duke of Perse. The men were openly
unfriendly to each other. The duke
resented the cool interference of the
sandy haired American: on the other
hand, Tullis made no effort to conceal
his dislike. if not distrust, of the older
man.
The countess was alone in the long,
warm tinted library.
1T is good of you to come" she said
as they shook hands warmly. DO you
know it is almost year since you last
came to this house"
1t would be a century, countess, If
l were not welcomed in other houses
where am sure of a glimpse of you
from time to time and a word now and
then"
They both seated themselves before
a glowing open fire.
The duke has gone to Ganlook to
play bridge with friends" she said ut
once. He will not return till late.
have just telephOned-to make sure.
Her smile did more than to rcassure
him.
"Of course you will understand how
impossible it is for me To come here
countess. Your father, the duke. does
not mince matters, and I'm not quite a
fool"
1T is of the prince that l want to
speak, Mr. Tullis," she said. i do
want 10 talk very seriously with you
concerning his FUTURE might say his
Immediate future
He looked at her narrowly.
Are you quite serious?"
Quite | could not have asked you
to come to this house for anything
trivial. We have become very good
friends you and l. Too good, per-
haps. for I've no doubt there are old
tabbies in EdelweisS who are provoked
to criticism. You know what l mean
The prince is a sturdy little beggar,"
he began. but she lifted her hand in
protest
And he has sturdy. loyal friends
That is agreed. And yet she paus-
ed. perplcxed lin" coming between
her expressive eyes.
John Tullis opened his own eyes
very wide. You don't mean to say
that he is-hc is in peril Of any sort
She leaned nearer to him, dropping
the ash from her cigarette into the re-
ceiver as she spoke slowly, intensely
.I think ne is in pcril-in deadly peril
He stared hard. What do you
,,,aap 90 no demanded with an inVOlun-