Litchfield enquirer., 1867-04-18
WHOLE NO. 2237.

1 6
 two away. He understood her gesture and
 pushing the foostool across the floor, hs seated himself on it close. by her chair. } Again the same strange expression swept over her face as the sieve of his coat touch. ed her dress as he sat down; but the smile was back again next moment, and her voice took an accent as low and tender aa that of any love lorn Juliet when she next spoke to him.
 "You naughty boy!" she said, and she pinched his ear playfully, as she spoke, q VOW you nearly frightened me to death. creeping into the room in that stealthy way for all the world like the villain in 8 melo- drama: How was to know it was you be- hind the curtain? And then, when I did see you, declare you gave my nerves quite a shock. had heard such strange stories about your being mad, and all that, you know, so that my fright can hardly be won. dered at: My poor Pietro, what must you have suferedr'
 Every nerve and fiber in the Italians body seemed to thrill under the influence of those loving words and that angelic smile; but his eyes were still full of bewil. derment, and his lips moved inaudibly for several moments before he spoke ''Why do you pity me?" he said at last. "How can you be glad to see me, when you know that l am here to take your life?"
 Cyrllla sighed. "Can you not under. stand, my Pietro," she said, ''that when life has become 8 burden, it does not seem such 8 difficult thing to quit it?''
 "Your life a burden, he said, increduous ly. ''In this pretty nest, mated with the husband of your choice, your life ought to be very precious to you, Cyrilla. "
 '.The opinion of the worldp' said Oyrilla, with a mournful ring in her voice.
 Is there not such a thing, Pietro, as being welded to man with whom you have nothing in common? You have read Clock sleyy Hall, and you know what I mean without my saying mare. Once had treasure within my grasp. but not know. ing its value, threw it carelessly away. Do you think that life to such one can be a thing of much value?"
 She turned away her face, and buried it in her handkerchief Fastini fell on his knees before her.
 "Cyrilla, Cyrilla! say that you love me, he cried. One of her hands was lying care | lessly on her lap; he seized it, and covered l 1t with passionate kisses. She did not re- pulse him; she only said gently. "You must not do that; you know you have vow ed to kill me-
 "No, nor' he cried passionately, starting to h1s feet. 'You shall not die! I will in- tercede for you with the mandarin. The Dogstar himself shall hear your story and pity you. Some other life shall be sacrifc. ed ln place of yours; you shall live. To- gether we shall quit this hateful England: together, in my own sunny cline, in Italy the beautiful, we will "-
 The clock ill the mantle piece chimed midnight
 ss,fftdiF s,fftdiFl, ~wndr t 1n5urrful smile. 1----'
 ''It is the signal that summons you to a new life of love- and freedom, and happi- ness!' said the Italian. ''It tells me too," he added, ''that have other work still left to accomplish" He laid finger lightly on her shoulder. ''The man who calls you wife, the child who calls you mother, they must dier
 Cyrilla's eyes confronted those of the madman steadily; not the quiver of nerve betrayed the feelings at work within her. Fastini began to move towards the door of the dressing room; Cyrilla caught him by the button and held him. He turned on her in an instant, wild devil of fury glaring out of his eyes. "Do you-dare- to say-that you care the least in the world either of those two?" he snarled out. He had grasped her firmly by the shoulder with one hand; his other hand was behind her, and she felt the sharp point of the poniard prick through her dressing robe into her flesh as he asked the question. ''Care for either of them" exclaimed Cy- rilla with 8 contemptuous laugh. Why should I care for them, Pietro mic? It ia not that. It is this, as regards the child; I do not think-nay, I am sure-that couldnot love you so we'll as I do now, if l knew that you were guilty of shedding the blood of that innocent"
 ''No blood, Cyrilla, he whispered 1 ly the pillow"
 ''No!'' said Cyrilla loftily, ''The man I love must be above dastardly deed like that. To be the murderer of smiling babe! Faugh! You can go, Signor Fastini," she ad- ded coldly, stepping from before him. "The child is asleep in yonder room. When you killedhim, come back and kill me if you don't wish to see the unuterable contempt with which should then look upon you!' She pointed to the open door of the dressing room as she spoke, and drawn up to her full heighth, stared steadily into the luna tics eyes He quailed under that fixed stern gaze; he wavered; he whispered something to himself; and then with the air of beat, en hound, he slunk up to Cyrilla, and talk ing her hand humbly, he lifted it to his lips and kissed it twice.
 4ouE paruOu, Cyr1ua, no Sa4u, loE having misunderstood you. The child, tru- Ly is beneath my notice. Let him live"
 Spoken like my own Pietro," said Cy- rilla, thawing suddenly into very May day of love and sunshine. "You were on- ! ly testing with me, know" But he-the man who has caused you so much misery-your husband-you will ; not intercede for him" said Pietro, gloom
 fly. "He-above all men-must die. ''So be it, said Cyrilla with little ) shrug of supreme indifference. Ten min utes past twelve! Theodore could not be } long now. How her ears strained, how her heart beat at the slightest sound from with ) out! If he were to come now, he could
 hardly escape with life, unless she, Cyrills. were to sacrifice her own life in the endes- vor to save his. She was quite prepared to do that, she said to herself.
 "But pray, tell me-" she resumed aloud, "what plan you intend to adopt for carry ing out your scheme of vengeance" ':As soon as I hear his footsteps, I shall , hide behind those curtains" 7" said the mad } man. 'As he steps across the threshold, shall rush forth, and strike him dead with my poniard''
 "A very pretty scheme-a very pretty schemew said Cyrilla encouragingly. "But hTrN NI