The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-08-20

stant she opened them wide gazing un into space. But the eyes were those of a dead person. soullesg lifeless .. without expression !. unseeing.
 "Madeline!''k
 Beaumont leaped forward with his cry, arms otitstretched, forget ting the warning of Mirandi. But he never reached the girl. Strong, unseen hands seized him. Before he knew 1t, he was outside the mystery chamber, up the stairs and into a room. He could not tell who brought him there or how he came.
 Later Mifandi came to him.. angry. You disobeyed me, you fool. and nearly spoiled every thing" he snarled.
 T am sorry; really sorry" Beau mont explained. "Madeline-is she all right? Is she alive? Did it work ?" he entfeated.
 "Rathersa crude way of putting it." Mirandi told him. but it worked. It always does when I am not interrupted"
 .Then can see her-now?" Beaumont entreated.
 Mirandi walked to the door and motioned for him to follow. They went to the big stair landing over looking the great hall. Seated on divan in the center of the hall was Madeline, white and beautiful and. alive but staring duly into space.
 s'There, my dear Beaumont" said Mirandi, pointing to the girl. There Is your lady. Not alive .. :. not dead just white Zombie ready to perform every de- sire of her master Now make her love you if you can."
 That had 6een two weeks ago, and daily Beaumont had made love to Madeline. He might as well have talked to corpse. She sat with him, walked with him and ate with him. but she had less mental animation than a sleep-walker. Every move she made was directed by some unseen power. At first Beaumont was happy fin just hay ing the girl with him.. But after two weeks of her Mfeless compan- ionship, he came to the full realiza- ton of the terrible crime he had permitted.
 He had sent for Silver to come and stay with him, and the servant had brought along the family jewels. Beaumont hung "a strand of pearls around Madeline's neck as she sat at the piano playing l mechanically. Her fingers kept right on idiing over the keys. She did not even notice the gems. Beaumont stood looking at her | for an instant. Then he sYiatched the gems from her throat. "Foo1ish things" he said holding l the jewels before her listless eyes. ''They can't bring back the light in your eyes. I was mad to do this thing. But if you had smiled l On me, I would have done anything for you; given you anything: thought that your beauty alone would satisfy, but the soul Is gone. l r can't bear those empty, staring eyes," he cried. "Oh, forgive me, | Madeline, forgive me. can't bear 1t. I must take you back" :.
 "Back to the grave. Monsieur?' a mocking voice inquired.
 Unnoticed MiranU had walked back of them and stood watching Beaumont's torment with sneer- ling smile.
 "No," Beaumont replied. turning on him fieroely. No. you must 1 bring the light back in her eyes. You must bring the laughter to her lips again. She must be gay and happy. You've got to do<it."
 "You paint very pretty picture, | Monsieur" the sorcerer sneered. "One that I would like to see my self"
 T say, you must bring her back you must" Beaumont demanded:
 At that moment Silver entered with a tray containing two glasses of wine.
 "Aren't you trifie afraid. Mon- sieur? How do you suppose her eyes will regard you when the brain Is able to understand?" | tBetter to see hatred in them than that dreadful emptiness Beaumont insisted.
 ''So, that is it." Mirandi smiled Turning. he took a glass Of wine from the tray Silver held out. His