The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-09-15

bare. She had removed her gloves, and
on one hand the counts ring sparkled.
1t was magnificent jewel, an heirloom
in the Turroni family, and recognized
by more than one of her audience.
wonder Turroni allows her to sing
any MORE" began Mrs. Livingston, who
could never remain long quiet; "but
she insists upon it. She has often de-
clared to me that music was her life
all she had on earth; but should think
the counts devotion would change Rll
that. How very pale she is tonight,
and her dress-very few women could
dress in that style and not suffer for it.
But really think it is more becoming
to her than any color Or"
The first notes OF the music proved an
effective check to the monotonous flow
OF Mrs. Livingston's conversation,
greatly to the relief of Mrs. Kinnard,
her hostess, ftfssy little woman, over
anxious about the success of the first
musicale she had ever given.
Isabel Vavasseur never sang better
than to that small, appreciative audience
OF her own country-people; but in the
last piece on the. programme, as she
glanced to one side of the room, she
stopped short, her eyes fixed, her face
ghastly in its pallor. The orchestra
played on. She threw out her hand as
if to steady herself, then reeled, and
would have fallen had not some one
caught and held her. Then she was
drawn back out of sight of her curious
and sympathetic audience.
In moment she was herself again.
Harrison King was holding goblet to
her lips.
"HoW came you hereP" she asked, as
she slowly drank every drop of the
water.
'I met Kinna1d just after leaving
you," he answered. He told me that
it was at his house you were to sing, and
told me 1 was welcome if chose to
come. So l came, of course. was
Mortified at your fainting just now"
"Oh, it was nothing" she replied,
lightly, speaking to those who had
gathered round her, sit has happened
several times lately, and given my physi-
clans a very gratifying chance to say, /
told you so.' I've been singing too con-
stantly, that is all. am so sorry, Mrs.
Kinnard," she added, turning to that
lady.
"Don't let it trouble you, Miss Vavas-
seur. We have had a delightful even
ing, and only, regret that you have over
taxed yourself"
1t was not long before she was on her
way hack TO the hotel, Harrison King
beside her in the carriage.
Its an i'll wind, ETC." Isabel" he
said, as he left her at the door of her
sitting-room, "but l suppose this will
be really the very last time. am going
on 10 Rome tomorrow. Goodnight
and goodbye" and lie turned away
without another word.
Her fingers ached with the pressure of
his upon them. She passed her hand
over her face as if bewildered, then, as
rs her eyes fell upon a glove he had
dropped, she picked it up with an inarti-
culate cry, kissed tue senseless thing
with passion no words could express,
and throwing herself down upon couch
near which she had been standing,
buried her head in the cushions in a
convulsion of hysterical, miserable
weeping.
"fsabel!"
She sprang upright at the sound of
her name. 1t was the counts voice
close beside her.
" Forgive me-" he said, humbly, ex-
| tending his hand. came ten min
utes ago. They told me you sang to
night, and waited for you. did not
wish to interrupt you or .yonr friend,
but waited too long, perhaps"
He was very handsome old man.
| His hair was quite white, though the
face was young and one which would
| always remain so.
She Gained herself with an effort,
Lacing the room a few times before she
could trust herself to speak.
The friend who has just left me is
from American, from my old home.
He has been in Florence two weeks.
He has been to see me every day since
he came:n
yes" he said, as she paused a mo-
ment, that is right, Isabel. am not
jealous like my countrymen. could
never question anything that you might
do, or any friend you might receive"
He had seated himself on the couch
she had occupied. She stopped sud
denly in her restless walk up and down
the room, and bending, kissed his fore
head with n strange, yearning fc cndness.
He looked up in surprise. Any de-
monstration was rare from her.
You are so kind to me, Count Tur-
roni-you always have been."
She seated herself beside him and
dropped her head upon her bands as she
| talked.
81 have always been honest with you.
| When i promised to marry you l told
you did not love you. That was true.
1t was true also that l believed might
in time care more for you. l cannot de-
ceive myself or you in that way any
longer. / love the man who has just
left me, better than my life. The un-
expected sight of him tonight was
more than / could bear. tainted mt a
mere glance ut his face. Think of it,
And / the woman you have always
thought so strong and cold. Doesn't II
surprise youP"
"And he knew thisP" the count asked
, in n low tone.
No, MOI He never did, he never will
He thinks me as cold as you do. And
p in America is the woman he is engaged
TO marry"
You have known him longm
+ "Since my childhood, and II was th,
miserable misunderstanding whicl
G separated US that sent me hereto find
p if / could, in another country and an
e other life the peace l had lost in m.
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