The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-11

sdLa. She inquired for her, and was told
that she felt tired, and begged Mrs STREET
ton TO excuse her absence.
Lillian reproached herself, and sweet
penitent expression came into her eyes as
she stood hesitaiing whether she should go
and seek her friend.
Never mind will make it up to her
tomorrow. 1t was much better to run
away as l did. When / am vexed with
any one, it is always soon over if | am
left alone. If had staid in doors just then,
Giulia and should have quarreled."
She went up stairs to bed, followed bv
her maid, an Italian recommended her by
the Marchesa. The tender little heart
was very heavy at the thought of the
miles that lay between her and Gilbert
but tomorrow, letter must come in the
morning, and, perhaps, he might come
back in the evening.
1t is strange that this sounds so impos-
sible while l say it-strange and silly, too
that cannot believe he is coming back.
| knew | was rot clever, but did not fan
cy could be such a little goose as this.
Why, other wOmen's husbands 90 away
often and they think nothing Of it. l be-
lieye Gilbert would be almost angry if he
could see me now"
The anxious little heart fought bravely
against the strange, sombre presentimcnts
of evil that had been slowly gathering
strength all day. She tried to sleep, but
she awakened again, terrified by some
shadowy dream, the full meaning of which
she had not been able to grasp. That it
had been alarming, her beating heart and
ague-like terror revealed. Morning found
| her pale and unrefreshed; but she rose
early-she wanted TO be down stairs when
the letters arrived The Marchesa was
not in the sGlH, ard the fragrant morning
air came in refreshingly at the open
windows
Il shall get rid of my headache in the
open air." said Lillian, "and be in again
| long before the letter comes"
She had hardly passed down the YER
pandah steps when the Marchesa appear
ed She walked up to the window, follow
ing Lillian with her eyes as she went
down to a terrace at the bottom of the gar
den. There was very scornful look on the
Italian lady's face, as she turned quickly
| away. She went through the entrance
hall, down the steps of the portico, and
then, wrapping shawl around her head,
walked carelessly toward the road that
led to Naples. She had not far to go.
Coming to a sudden turn in the road, She
| found herself face to face with man with
leather pouch at his waist. The Mar
chesa signed to him to stop, and the man
obeyed, bowing low to the stately lady.
"You have letters for the padr0na ?"
and she stretched out her hand.
The man hesitated.
There is but one letter and"
"Give it to me; l have come to fetch it
for the Signora Stretton''
She kept her hand Outstretched, and her
eyes fixed on the mans face He delayed
an instant or two longer, but the will in
those bright, steadfast eyes compelled his
| acquiescence. He drew letter out Of his
bag, and gave it her.
"This is the only letter for Villa Bur-
cano. You are not going there?"
The man shook his head and seemed in
| clined to return to Naples.
Giulia stood in his way.
Did the Signor Stretton, the padrone
of the Villa Burcano, order, then, that all
his letters should be sent on to the villa ?"
"Si-si-Signora." The man spoke i'm.
patiently; he was in hurry to be gone.
"Well, then"-the Marchesa paused,
pressing the letter tightly between her
slender fingers" the padrOna does not
wish them sent until further orders. If
Naples to fetch them"
The man nodded, and turned on his
steps. He was glad to be released-glad
also that he should not have to toll along
the hot, dusty road tomorrow.
Giulia stood still, with the letter in her
hand. She looked around her. The road
was very lonely at this spot high banks
on each side shut out distant objects-it
was impossible that the courier's ap-
| prOach could have been seen from the
| villa.
| Up to this moment no defined purpose
had developed itself from the tumult of
jealous anger that ragged in Giulia's heart,
but the touch of the letter suggested one.
Wild and impractlcable it seemed at first,
| but the vehement nature welcomed the
difficulties she fOresaw for the excitement,
and perhaps joy, their mastery promised
She looked down again at the letter, and
then deliberately removed the SEAL AS
| she read the contents, the troubled look
which had clouded her face ever since Gill
bert's departure vanished, and in its place
came a proud exultation, and then an ex-
preston of passionate love. She tore the
letter to fragments, and seemed about to
cast it from her; then she suddenly kissed
the torn pieces, and replaced them in the
envelope.
! 1t is just week since Lillian passed that
sleepless night at the Villa Burcano-and
still MIR. Stretton has not returned He is
on his way home now, and he hopes to
reach the villa late in the evening He
had told Lillian not to write for when he
found himself obliged to go to Marseilles
with Mr. Mackenzie, instead of at once re-
turning home, he knew his movements
would be uncertain, but since he had part
ed from his friend, the hours passed very
heavily, and he had repented his prohibi-
ton.
81 might have given dates and places at
a venture" he said, "but then she does so
dislike the trouble of writing. Nearly ten
days since | saw her, | wish Mackenzie
had not delayed his starting so long. l
am not sure that ought to have left the
dear child alone with those lazy Italian
servants; l wish she had not been per-
suaded to change her English maid for
that Francesca the Marchesa recommend
ed. l may be fanciful, but don't like the
woman's eyes; however, Lillian has had
her dear Giulia."
He did not stay in Naples, except to
change horses; 1t seemed strange to him
that, as he drew nearer the villa, he be-
came more nervous and anxious. How
ever, he was very close to home now.
a few minutes more, end he should be
looking into Lilian's sweet brown eyes
again.
al will give her a surprise" said Mr..
Stretton to himself. He stopped the car
rage and dismissed it, then he went on
rapidly on foot to the villa.