The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-11
Gc!rfteo misfeIlanp.
MRS. STRETTON,S FRIEND.

Mr. STRKTToN looked down into his
young wife's face
"You are such a generous little darling
Lily, there is no getting You to see faults
in Others"
"0h! Gilbert, it is not that" She held
up her sweet mouth to kiss him, standing
almost on tiptoe. 81 find plenty of fault
with other people-only not with Giulia
All, if you only knew her as do-she is
so 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 "Yes," against his will. He
could not help it, but he had taken a great
dislike, at first 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.
Giulia Larini."
And then Mr.. Stretton remembered to
have heard of Signora Larini and her
daughter, who had spent six years of eX-
lie in England The daughter had been
Lilian's dearest friend, and after her return
to Italy had correspondent 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 Ville Burcano. She had heard
of Lilian's marriage, and she had come to
claim 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 nairete l
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 mad
been glorious; a 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, halfclothed
children at play.
81 thought yesterday it was impossible
to be happier when l sat here with Gil
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 verandah,
ard, while he watched the moonlight, he
asked himself what could have given him
this strong repugnance to Lilian's friend.
She was very beautiful. tall and stately,
with the fully y-developed form of true
Roman woman; her cameo like head was
magnificently set, and crowned win 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 MIR. Stretton's attention.
hate vehement women" ne said to
himself, as he watched the reflection OF
the moon on the water, broken by each
ripping wavelet "they are always rost-
less and exacting; this Marchesa wi i be
sure to tyrannize over sweet, gentle
creature like Lillian; besides | 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 each
Other?" He went on smoking his cigar
he had given two reasons for his dislike,
but he had not given the true one He
would have called himself coxeomb for
owning it. In his heart, Gilbert Stretton
had shrunk from the intense, unfeigned
admiration the Marchesa's first glance at
him had expressed.
Weeks passed on, and still the fine hol
liday weather lasted. The Marchesa drove
over more than once q week to see her
friend but, although the journey was
fatiguing, she invariably refused Lilian's
invitations to stay at the villa.
{" do believe, Gilbert, it is because you
never join in inviting her." Lillian said half
sadly.
And the next time she came he strug-
gled against his Discrimination, and second
el Lilian's invitation.
Madame di Riveredo accepted at once
very graciously, and she arrived next day
at the Villa Burcano.
In the evening the Marchesa had gone
to her room and StrettOn end his wife
were sitting in the verandah of the sala.
There is no limit to happiness, see,
said Mrs. Stretton She tried to look very
wise as she spoke, but irresistible delight
peeped out Of her soft brown eyes. "Do
you know, Gilbert, she clasped both
hands round his arm-"that can hardly
contain myself when / watch you and
Giulia beginning to Ike each other? You
see now the truth of what | have always
said about her-she only wants little love
and kindness, and she is ready to give her
whole heart in return"
"But don't want her whole heart"
"No, because you have got silly little
wife to love you. But, think OF poor
Giulia, left alone in the world DO you
know, darling, that she has not one near
yelstion, except gone old tiger Of 81 unale
IN the Apprentices 7"
"She has your love, lillian, snd that Is