The Elbert County tribune., 1913-12-12


the girls swooning voice. for he was
too much occupied by the astounding
spectacle that now appeared before
his distracted gaze AS for me, |
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 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. deari"
"Oh. very well. l will go up. Let
me go!"
"Oh. my darling, my darlingi :.
OF you to save me the exertion at my
age! Tell me what he looks
likei"
At that moment. we distinctly heard
these words above our heads:
There is no one there. dear!"
No one? Are you sure
there is no one?"
Why. of course not no
one!"
Well. that's all right! ;.
What's the matter. Christine7 You're
not going to faint, are you a.
there is no one there? Here
come down therei
Pull yourself together ;.
n fharo fa M pua thorof n,,k
how do you like the landscape?"
"Oh. very much!"
There. that's betterr You're
better now. are you not7 :.
That's all right. you're betteri :.
No Excitement! And what a
funny house. isn't 1t. with landscapes
like that in it?''
Yes. it's like the Musee Grevin.
But. I say. Erik :. there
are no tortures in therei What
fright you gave mel"
why as there is no one
there?"
Did you design that room? 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-chamberY
"Oh. it's very simple. First OF all,
what did you seer"
Il saw a forest"
"And what is in forestr'
Trees"
And what is in treef"
Birds
Ibid you see any birds?"
mo. 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 Joke.
] never express myself like other peo-
pie. But l am very tired Oh It!
I'm sick and tired OF having a forest
and torture-chamber in my house
and Of living like mountebank, in a
house with a false bottomI :.
I'm tired Of It'll wnnt to have nice,
quiet Nat. with ordinary doors and
windows and a wife inside It, like
anybody else! A wife whom | could
love and take out on Sundays and
keep amused on weekdays.
Here, shall ] show you some card
tricks? That will help us to pass a
few minutes. while waiting for eleven
o'clock tomorrow evening My
dear little Christinel Are you
listening to me7 Tell me
you love me! No, you don't
love me but no matter, you
Will Once. Won copId rot
look at my mask because you knew
what was behind And now
you don't mind looking at It and You
forget what is behind! one
can get used to everything If
one wishes Plenty of vounv
people who did not care for each
other before marriage have adored
each other since Oh. don't know
what ! am talking about But you
would have lots Of fun with me- For
instance. ! am the greatest ventrilo-
quist that ever lived. am the first
ventriloquist in the worldl
You're laughing. Perhaps you
don't believe met Listen"
The wretch. who really was the
first ventriioquist in the world. was
only trying to divert the child.s at
rention from the torture-chamber; but
It was stupid scheme. for Christine
thought of nothing but us, She re-
peatedly besought him. In the gentiest
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 so threat