Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-03-18
CHAPTER XXXII-Continued.

Another night fell. Darkness gather.
ed In the little garden. Finette lighted
q Sevres lamp, smoothed the satin COW
erlet, wadded with eider-down, over
the countess, who had fallen into an
uneasy slumber, and then retired De-
hind the voluminous curtains or the
bed. Scarcely had she done so when
the door opened softly and Count Otto
entered.
with noiseless steps he crossed the
rich carpet and, pausing beside the un-
conscious countess looked down upon
her with suspended breath. She lay
among her be-laced pillows like some
marble image, her dark eyes closed,
her drifting bronze hair shining in the
light. Certainly her peerless beauty
was as perfect now as 1t had been three
years before. Did It soften his heart,
or did he see In her only the woman
who had disappointed his expectations
of fortune, and who now intervened
betwixt him and g marriage with
Mademoiselle Nicole? A cruel look
came into his heavy face; his sleepy
eyes narrowed. She seemed to feel n
presence, for she moved uneasily AM
thrust out her hands as II to put
something unpleasant from her.
He drew back step and waited.
Presently the restless arms sank again
upon the lace-covered counterpane.
Ethel slept on. ...
Cautiously the count advanced to
a buhl table on which some medicines
stood. AS he took up the nearest vial,
10! from the shadow Of the satin cur
tains darted threatening figure, q
hand snatched the medicine from his
hold. Finette confronted him with
wrathful eyes.
Don't touch 1t. on your peril. mon
sieur!"
He gave a great start, and an un-
wholesome pallor swept his heavy face.
What are you doing here, woman?"
he demanded.
FInette's blood was up. Anger made
her bold.
IT am guarding madame. God forbid
that she should suffer the fate Of your
first countess, monsieur"
The look in his eyes might have
made a Drawer woman tremble. Each
spoke in a voice subdued, for the ben
eft Of the sleep.
"Are you beside yourself, creature?"
he Kissed. my first countess died by
her own hand!"
F1nette put herself adroitly betwixt
the count and his sleeping wife.
Pardon, monsieur, that Is lie!
Your valet, Adolphe. who is now across
the sea In America, calling himself
Baron Strozzi, could tell a different
story II he would. All, you must have
given him much money to stop that
glib tongue of his. Countess Olga did
not die by her own hand. Do l not
remember the night when she return
ed from the Tuileries ball? Do not
remember the wine in the little closet
behind the hangings of her boudoir?"
What do you know Of Adolphe-of
Baron Strozzi?" he demanded, who
told you that?" ....
Monsieur, decline to answer"
He transflxed her with his threat
ening eyes.
1t is not safe to know too much!
Whisper these vile insinuations OF
yours abroad and / will crush you
Der; I wish to be alone with madame,
my wife.
Finette stretched out one hand, like
a lowering bird, over the table Of medi-
cines, the other clutched the wadded
curtains of the bed. She felt mortal
terror Of the man, yet all the same she
determined to defy him.
Never monsieur! You shall not
come near her! She is helpless-she
cannot defend herself will defend
her. All. heaven! know your black,
cruel heart!"
He looked as II he would strike her
dead; but he only repeated his COM
mand in a perfectly calm voice: Leave
the chamber at once!"
II will not-I will not! Or, If do,
1t will be to summon help to make a
scene here which you will not like"
He angrily pushed back her hand,
took up the vials from the table and
examined them critically-even tasted
their contents.
Finette watched him with terrible
earnestness. He stepped back, at last,
with a satisfied air.
"I approve Of madame's medicines,
he said, carelessly; but greatly dis
approve Of madame's attendant. See!
she moves. / fear we are disturbing
her. Sooner than do that ! will with
draw. Listen. You are an ill-natured
cat, Marie, but warn you again-do
not attempt to unsheath your claws
upon me-"
He retreated step by step, from the
bed-from the brown woman sef-sta-
toned beside it, and vanished in the
countess's salon.
Two or three days passed. The count
did not venture again into his wires
apartments. That faithful servant,
Finette, was left undisturbed at her
post. To her great JOY the countess
began to mend. On the fourth day
she arose from bed, walked into the
adjoining salon and read some Ameri-
can letters which had just arrived fol
her. With wistful, melancholy eyes
she watched the white and purple
doves that fitted through the green
trees Of the little garden.
"Oh, for their wings!" she sighed to
herself, that I might fly away across
the seal"
The glass door opening into the
leafy shadows swung back suddenly
and Count Otto entered the salon. He
was fresh from a late breakfast, and
the odor Of perfumed narghille still
clung to the velvet dressing gown
which he wore.
He went UP to his wife's sofa, and
with an air Of tender courtesy, kissed
her listless, white hand. Then he cast
one glance at Finette, who was ar
ranging roses in a buhl vase near by
and reluctantly that handmade retreat
ed from the room.
Madame, / rejoice to find you con-
valescent," said Count Otto, giving ne
heed to the terror and aversion II
Ethers pale face, "for / have matters
of Importance to discuss with you. Oul
resources are cut off, our creditors arr
pressing in their demands. The Dill!
for your last ball dress and your las
grand reception are still unpaid. Alas
you will be missed in Partisan society
but we must bow to the inevitable. It!
necessary to give up these elegan
rooms at once, to satisfy the rapacit!
of the shopkeepers. III tidings fly fast
Everybody knows of our misfortunes
and / am pressed for money upon ev
cry side. / find that We shall not b'
allowed to remain here longer thai
another night"
She began to tremble, partly will
weakness partly with fright.
What do you mean? Whittier shall
we go?" she said family.
"Ah, madame, do not think that
have no thought or care for you. M!
heart melts at the sight Of your beau
ty, youth and desolation. The sum
mer Is advancing. Paris will soon b.
a furnace-you would die here. II
view Of this fact, have secured s
charming chateau at Verrieres. within
a two hours drive of Paris; and to
morrow, trust, you will be stront
enough to retire to 1t, and there re
main until this storm of misfortune Il
past"
"Verrieres!" echoed the countess