Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-08-13

pie, and the way in which their natures be
came, so as to say, honeycombed by intrigue
For once in my life was vexed with her,
and we parted almost in anger.
The post of the next morning brought q
most urgent letter to my aunt, cntreating
her not to fail to be present at my cousins
wedding, which was fixed for an earlier day
than she had thought
'' Go and fetch Katinka,n said she to me
sand see If could not persuade her to
come back with me for the wedding. She
shall return here at once to grandmamma il
we could not induce her to como with us.
"Thcre, said l, half sulkily, to Katinka,
lone visit more and your disagreeab.e fic-
tion is ended. My aunt starts tonight.
Don't forget TO restore the pearls. Take
them with you" said she tartly.
81 don't care what becomes of them, or Of
myself either" said /. 81 only wish the iel
lows knife had been better aimed the othel
night.
"fou are in a sweet temper"
s'It's all the more like my wife's, said l,
grimly.
swell, I'm glad the farce is nigh over,
said she, with naughty toss of her head.
'sIll not readily forgive myself for the igno-
ble part have played in it,
"You may console yourself by remember
ing that shall derive no benefit whatever
| from your condescension.
| kkNf, hnpaGf 81.
| you all her estate!'
''lll not accept one shilling of ii. have
a letter here to post the day she leaves this.
l have confessed to her the whole deception
have practiced on her. have returned
the last remittance she sent me, and hidden
her adeu forever"
"To go whither?- do what ~ E
''To quarrel with the first fellow who'll
cut my throat for me?"
'sBenone!" !" said she, smiling sardonically.
"Che bel tcmperamento.
"What have to live for what to care
| for? am ruined ?-I have not sous in
| the world Pho one needs memo one wants
me; the only one, that dear old aunt, who
would grieve for me, shall not hear of my
fate. But come along-let us pay our visit,
and let the curtain drop over the dreary
comedy. Oh, Katnkam cried ], ,as the tears
rose to my eyes, and fell heavily along my
cheeks-"Oh, Katinka, if you could ever
have accepted my love, and let my life have
been joined to your life! From being the
most wretched of men would have been
the happiest."
She did not utter word, but stood with
her eyes downcast, silent and motionless.
'Be mine! cried |, 'sfor day-for an
hour; let me feel that as go to death have
won the greatest prize of my existence, and
l swear TO you that if you bear my name
to-day, you shall mourn me as my heir to-
morrow"
II don't think the prospect is very entic.
ing,' said She, slowly, Though I suppose
you intended it as SUCH"
"Come along" cried I, angriy, for hei
air of GOODNESS had stung me to the quick
slct us finish with this. mockery. Let us
say good bye to my aunt"
III icau3i stiu onc, tukluS up ucf
shawl: twill you see grandmamma, and
ask her when she will receive your aunt
nodded silently, and followed her up the
stairs The old lady was seated in her ac-
customcd place near the window, slip of
paper and pencil beside her, as her deafness
was now complete.
"Signor Berto wants to know when you
will permit his aunt to call on you, grand
ma" wrote Katinka, and the old lady made
gesture to imply at any time she liked to
come.
Have You any other question to ask
grandma?" said Katinka, with strange half
droll twinkle in her eye.
Yes" said l, tiercely, for was almost
savage in mood. "Ask her if she will con-
sent that you should he my wife.
Katlnka took the pencil and wrote some
words; the old lady turned and motioned to
us to kneel down. We did so at her feet,
and, kissed us both on the forehead she
blessed us fervently, and joined our hands
together. care you content p whispered
Katinka TO me but could not speak. /
threw my arms rapturous!y around her and
pressed her to my heart-mine, my own for
ever.
The Greek priest who lived at the convent
celebrated our marriage within an hour, and
when We drove back to tho hotel the drama
had become reality, and l was the most
blessed of mankind.