Gilpin observer., 1913-11-27


desrI"
! do not know II the viscount, heard
the girls swooning voice. for he was
too much occupied by the astounding
spectacle that now appeared before
his distracted gaze. AS for me. l
had seen that sight too often. through
the little window, at the time OF the
rosy hours of Mazenderan: and
cared only for what was being said
next door, seeking for a hint how to
act. what resolution to take.
go and peep through the little
window! Tell me what he looks
like!"
We heard the steps being dragged
against the wall.
up with you! No! :.
No. will go up myself. dearl"
"Oh, very well. l will go up. Let
me go!"
'Oh. my darling. my darling! :.
How sweet Of you! How nice
OF you to save me the exertion at my
age! Tell me what he looks
like!"
At that moment, we distinctly heard
There is no one there, dear!"
mo one2 Are you sure
there is no onef"
why, OF course not no
one!"
We'll. that's all right! :.
What's the matter. Christine? You're
not going to faint, are you a.
there Is no ono there? Here
come down therel
Pull yourself together
as there is no one there! :. But
how do you like the landscape7"
"Oh, very much!"
There, that's better! You're
better now. are you not? . e.
That's all right. you're better! {.
No excitement! - And what q
funny house. isn't 1t. with landscapes
like that in it?"
Yes, it's like the Musee Grevin.
-. But, say. Erik there
are no tortures in there! What
fright you gave mel"
why as there is no one
there?"
Did you design that room7 It's
very handsome. You're a great artist.
Erik"
Yes. a great artist. in my own
line"
But tell me, Erik. why did you call
that room the torture-chamber?"
"Oh. it's very simple. First OF all,
what did you seer"
II saw a forest"
And what is in a forestY''
Trees"
And what is in a tree?"
Birds"
Did you see any birds?"
mo, l did not see any birds"
We'll, what did you see? Think!
You saw branches! And what are
the branches?" asked the terrible
voice. There's a gibbet That is
why | call my wood the torture-cham-
ber! You see. it's all a joke
never express myself like other peo-
pie. But ! am very tired or It! &.
I'm sick and tired OF having q forest
and torture-chamber in my house
and OF living like mountebank, in a
house with a false bottom! :.
I'm tired Of It! wnnt to have a nice,
quiet fiat, with ordinary doors and
windows and 4 wife inside 1t, like
anybody else! A wife whom could
love and take out on Sundays and
keep amused on weekdays. 1.
Here, shall show you some card.
tricks7 That will help us to pass a
few minutes, while waiting for eleven
o'clock tomorrow evening. My
door ittia Nhrt.tlu- ..~..
listening to meI Tell me
you love mal !. No. YOU don't
'uye me But no matter. you
Will Once. you could not
look at my mask because you knew
what was behind. And now
you don't mind looking at It and you
forget what 10 behind! One
can get used to everything II
one wishes. Plenty OF young
people who did not care for each
other before marriage have adored
each other since! Oh. l don't know
what l am talking about! But you
would have lots OF fun with me. For
instance. am the greatest veutrilo-
quist that ever lived. am the first
ventriloquist in the world! 4.
| You're laughing. Perhaps you
don't believe me? Listen"
The wretch. who really was the
first ventriloQuist in the world. was
only trying to divert the child's At
tention from the torture-chambsr; but
1t was a stupid scheme. for Christine
thought OF nothing but usl She re-
peatedly besought him, in the gentlsst
tones which she could assume:
Put out the light in the little win.
dow! Erik. do put out the
light in the little window.
For she saw that this light. which
appeared SO suddenly and Of which
the monster had spoken In 20 threat