Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-03-12
9tIrttro Alisttllanp.
MRS. sTRETTON's FRIEND.

Mr.. STRETToN looked down into his
young wife's face
:" You are such generous little darling
Lily, there is no getting you to see faults
in others"
"0hi Gilbert, it is not that" She held
up her sweet mouth to kiss him, standing
almost on tiptUe. tind plenty OF fault
Ahi if you only knew her as l do-she is
80 loving, so fond but you will find out
her goodness in time; you can't help it, for
you will let me have her here often; won't
you, darling"
But though Mrs. Stretton's brown eyes
were very tender as she spoke, her hus-
band said EYES," against his will. He
could not help it, but he had taken great
dislike, at Arst sight, to his wife's beauti-
full friend.
He and Lillian had scarcely been mar
ried month they had Just decided to
spend some weeks longer in the charming
Neapolitan villa they now inhabited, and
only that very morning, while they still
fingered over their late breakfast, the
Marchesa di Riveredo had been announc-
ed, and Gilbert Stretton had seen his wife
rise impetuously, and throw her arms
around the lady who entered.
at is Giulis, Gilbert; my own darling
Giulia Larini."
And then Mr.. Stretton remembered to
have heard of Signora Larini and her
daughter, whe had spent six years of eX-
lie in England. The daughter had been
Lilian's dearest friend, and after her return
to Italy had corresponded with her till
she married an Italian nobleman much
older than herself.
But the Marchesa was widow now.
She was living on one of her estates, few
miles from Naples, and had just learned
that Mr.. and Mrs. Stretton were resid-
ing at the Villa BurcanO. She had heard
of Liliap's marriage, and she had come to
claim a revival of friendship.
Lillian was full of delight; she could
talk of nothing but Giulis.
" She is more beautiful than ever, and
her manners are perfect so soft, and yet
sometimes so full of charming Haicete.
really am so happy don't know what to
do" said the young girl to herself
Lillian had never seen Italy till now all
was new and delightful. The weather had
been glorious; deep blue sky reflected
its own depth of color into the broad ex-
panse of sea. From the verandah in which
she sat, festooned with grape and fig vines,
she could follow the windings of the coast,
dotted with white villas, here and there
groups of cottages clustering together, in
front of them brown limbed, half-clothed
children at play.
az thought yesterday it was impossible
to be happier when sat here with Gill
bert; and yet it seems as if Giulia's return
to me had made life still brighter"
Gilbert Stretton listened quietly to his
wife's raptures but that night after she
left him, he fingered out in the verGndah,
ard, while he watched the moonlight, ne
asked himself what could have given him
this strong repugnance to Lilian's friend
She was very beautiful, tall and stately,
with the fully.developed form of true
Roman woman; her cameo like head was
magniicently set, and crowned with mas
sive coils of shining black hair her com
plexion had that wonderful mate white.
ness one seldom sees in English women
and her eyes were marvellous. There was
thought in them, an almost regal dignity
but, overmastering these expressions
there was depth of passion that had at
tracted Mr.. Stretton's attention.
al hate vehement women" he said tC
himself, as he watched the reflection O
the moon on the water, broken by eacf
ripping wavelet "they are always rest
less and exacting; this Msrchesa will bt
sure to tyrannize over sweet, gentle
creature like Lillian besides l don't want
any one to come between me and my dar
ling. Why do we stay here away from
England, If it is not to be all in all to eacf
other?" He went on smoking his cigar
he had given two reasons for his dislike
but he had not given the true one. H'
would have called himself q coxeomb fo
owning it. In his heart, Gilbert Strettol
had shrunk from the intense, unfeigneC
admiration the Msrchesa's first glance q
him had expressed.
Weeks passed on, and still the fine hol
liday weather lasted. The Marchesa drov
over more than once week to see he
friend but, although the journey wa
fatiguing, she invariably refused Lillian
invitations to stay at the villa.
"I do believe, Gilbert, it is because yo,
never join in inviting her." Lillian said hal
sadly.
And the next time she came he strug
gled against his disin ;lination, and second
ed Lilian's invitation.
Madame di Riveredo accepted at ono
very graciously, and she arrived next ds,
at the Villa Burcano.
In the evening the Marchesa had gon
to her room and Stretton and his wit
were sitting in the verandah of the sdlG.
"There is 10 limit to happiness, see,
said Mrs Stretton. She tried to look yer
wise as she spoke, but irresistible deligh
peeped out of her soft brown eyes. I'D
you know, Gilbert, "-she clasped bot
hands round his arm" that can hardl
contain myself when l watch you an
Giulia beginning to like each other? YO
see now the truth of what have alWay
said about her-she only wants little Low
and kindness, and she is ready to give he
whole heart in return"
"But don't want her whole heart"
"No, because you have got silly littl
wife to love you. But, think of poo
Giulia, left alone in the world: do yo
know, darling, that she has not one net
relation, except some old tiger of an uncl
in the Apprentices ?"
"She has your love, Lillian, and that
enough to content any man or woma
either"
He bent down his head to her
Neither of them heard the window aboN
them close; If they had heard it, the
must have remembered that the March
sa's bedroom overlooked the same pro
pect as their favorite verandsh.
Next morning brought letters.
"DoL't you think letters are very tir
some things, Giuliaf If there is an
thing horrible in this world 1t is the ha
ing to write letter. never know VIII
to say or how to say 1t"
The Marchesa smiled-she had such
exquisite smile, mixture of melancho
and brightness
"You are maligning yourself as usus
dear child. You must once surely ha'
found pleasure in answering letters
And she glanced slightly at Lilian's hu
band.
"Ahl no, you are quite mistaken
she not, Gilbertl One Of the gre
charms Of our engagement was thai v
saw each other so often. There W
no time for correspondence and as v
are never, never going 70 be separated, y
shall probably not exchange loVe-lettl
in our lives"
GiuliA smiled again, but she looked
cTedulous
Gilbert Stretton had heard his wife's Ia
vtorHa and ha -. 80