The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-04-04

hall and INTO the drawlng-roOm OF tnt
house unannounced. 1t was quite early
n the morning, and there was no one il
/ g apartment when he entered, and h
seated himself at the window, and lighting
a cigar, elevated his feet and puffed away
in silent enjoyment Of his luxurious sur
rUundmgs.
Suddenly the door opened, and a servan
ushered in man somewhat past the mer
idian Of life, whose tall figure and military
bearing gave an air of diStingue to his ap
pearance. At first he did not abserv,
Burdois, and was seating himself, when the
odOr of tobacco smoke and low laugl
caused him to turn and approach the lollinG
figure at the window.
'Ah! Burdols." he said, with unaffected
warmth, black 80 soon r.
Burdois took his hand listlessly. eyes
I'm not one Of the lettering kind, and
had new plans to start on foot.
And our own scheme-you were sue
cessful T. the mans voice almost trembled
III its eager intensity.
Did you ever know me to fail No,
Colonel Delevan, | have too full conf
dence in my sharpness to expect to fail
Our plans have progressed favorably. But
the fortune you expected has for the pres
ent dwindled down to few thousands a
year.
The other swOre under his breath.
Come, come, none of that, " said Bur
dois imperiously, Its an insult to my
capacity and intellect. | tell you I've
done ali for the best, and patience and
.fne 5, will accomplish what remains to be
done
At this moment a servant entered, and
announced to Burdois that the Countess
desired To see him III her boudoir.
ii must see you when you return, said
I the man addressed as Colonel Delevan. IL
must see you Burdois You will not leave
\ the villa without seeing me Il he asked,
eagerly and excitedly.
No, frowned Burdois, annoyed at his
4 perslstency. II will not 90 without seeing
| you. The man is bore, he muttered as
/ he followed the servant up the stairway.
/ He must be gotten rid Of, or his accursed
cuPldity will defeat our plans"
/ He was ushered into small ante room
adjoining my lady's boudoir, and he looked
carelessly around at the renovations which
had taken place since his last visit, as the
servant retired from his presence. A cold,
sneerlng smile rose to his lips as some in
ternal emotion which the face did not re-
veal was felt by him. Perhaps he was
thinking Of how easily he. as, nameless
adventuTer, in the eyes of the world, could
become the possessor Of all this elegance
and wealth how one word would render
hun the envled sultor of the bea It'll
full Blanca, aud how he could lead life Of
idleness and luxury the remainder of his
days. Suddenly the door opened, and the
Countess Blanca Tutti entered the room
with pleased. flushed features and flashing
eyes.
"Oh, my Bernard + she cried, as she
hastened to his side and embraced him,
fondly kissing him with passionate fervor ;
''the days have been long since you last
left me. | saw you coming from my win
dow, and my heart has been in a strange
tiutter ever since.
Burdols laughed gaily, as he allowed her
to draw an ottoman to his feet and hold
him in fond embrace
You are grown far more lovely than
ever, ma belle far more lovely than ever, ="
he said ''lf the time has been long to
you, surrounded by gaiety and pleasure,
what must 1t have been to me, devoid Of
even interest. | have lain awake nights
thinking Of this moment, longing for your
presence You have not clolstered your
self during my absence, | hear II
The beautiful woman laughed. ''No,
Bernard ; why should Scandal would
soon find some reason for my seclusion,
and would lose One-half Of my power and
influence should | announce my intention
Of again wedding. Again, Bernard ; All,
me when will 1t be r.
when this matter now on hand is dis
posed Of. What can | do with my hands
tied behind me The secret of Italian
craftsmanship, of Italian courage and sue
cess, is successful and patient plotting.
Said | patient | mean control-deep
selfcontrol. | am playing desperate
game, one which requires tinesse, GOODNESS,
positive impudence 1t is nothing more. ="
And for what E. querried the Countess.
For a trlfing sum Of money the which
would not cover my last years indebted
ness. Come, Delevan and you give up
this scheme, and will place in your hands
double the amount You are going to all
this trouble for."
The man frowned darkly
''Impossible, Blanca" he said, with a
shade Of annoyance in his tone ''You do
not comprehend the end am working for,
and it is too sacredly pledged to be divulged
to you. Trust in me that | take no steps
requiring absence from you, save to further
your own anu my eventual happiness"
The Countess looked sharply at him as
he WAS speaking, some ready intuition tell
ing her that he was concealing something
from her. Suddenly her eye darkened
She caught him by the arm, and gazing
earnestly into his face, said sharply
Bernard Burdols, you are not deceiv-
ing me. You told me there was a daughter
you do not love her-you do not love
any one but ME r.
Burdois laughed lightly
''Madre di dos you are insane, Bian-
ca The man who once falls under the
influence Of your dark eyes, never seeks
the potent charms of love from other orbs.
Who could | love but you :"
The woman sighed deeply.
Il wish | knew wish | knew All
if ever you prove false, if you ever desert
me for another n
"What then, ma belle p
''The dagger for you, the poisoned chal-
ice for my rival, and the river for me-the
deep, dark rolling, it alone would hide a
body which had contained so much love,
50 fatally terminating in death.
''You are gloomy without reason" said
Burdois, uneasily Have | given You
reason to doubt my devotion Dismlss
such thoughts, my peri, and let us to the
subject | came hither on-that and the
desire to see you"
The Countess resumed her former atti-
tude Of partial repose ON his breast, her
dark eyes fixed upon his own, while her
hand caressingly stroked the white FORE
head Of her lover
Blanca, you promised to follow my die
tates, to do my will in everything asked.
you. A deeper motive than money lies at
the bottom Of my plans. To insure a sue
cessfnl termination to those plans, you
| mnRf act a mart which will rid me- Of the