The Osceola times., 1881-02-12

/ senses, IN q taZed silence. Onc thlng
only certain, that she will never wish to
| see me again. And this cousin, who is
/ he, and where was he those darkest days.
/ lie is hand-Ome, too, after dark sort;
and young enough.
| lie comes 81 interrupt my sad thought,
/ with polite nothiug5. la contessina
! finds herself better" he assures me. "She
sends her thanks, for my material kind
ness. At an early day, | shall be paid in
/ COIN of the realm, for al ! have done"
He presents me with his card, and |
return mine. lie then stands, hat in
hand, and his heels together like dane
ing master, evidently, though politely,
waiting for me too take myself of.
! Is this to be the end Of my dream? |
cannot let it go thus. make another
effort.
might | not be uermitted," ! ask, "to
bring my explanations to the contessina,
and her father? Tomorrow, perhaps"
THE signor will kindly pardon u.s."
urged the cousin-the Marchese Corti-
Biancelli, as his card explained-"if the
brusquerie Of his amiable relative, and
her misconception OF the contestants
charming goodness, should make it ad-
visable to deprive the Dal Verona family
of the pleasure of his further acquaint-
ance-other," he added. with another
polite bow, "than through the solicitors
Of each" l., being Il man of the world,
he aycrred, would at once see and well
come, such an advisable step for all
parties. "If permitted he would, there
fore, bid me a rcgretul adieu."
But after he had wheeled on his heel
he returned to inform me of fact unim-
portant 1t was true, to meat least he
said so-but he had accepted the written
proposals of the still absent count, Stel-
las brother; and would, therefore, hasten
to prepare all for that gcntleman's ap-
preaching arrival from South America, so
that his, the marche-e's marriage with
Stella, could follow Immediately upon the
arrival of her brother with her por-
ton.
He naively added, as between men,
that he had no doubt of Count Dal Yer
ona's intention really to furnish his sis
ter with portion, as that gentleman had
already sent a large sum home to rein
state his father; but he should wisely
wait to see the money first.
was So silent under this novel conf
dence, that he bade me an airy adicu,
and went off up the stairs, caressing his
waNcd mOustaChe, while | was still inthe
shop.
"Signorino MO" whispered the florist,
hoar-ely, the moment we were alone,
don't be too east down. II is natural
that she should marry the marchesc; but
You shall see her, if you and she wish;
and let her tell it to you with her own
sweet mouth. You were an angel to her
and so was your young lady, whom the
Virgin bless
| went away in silence.
Dora came to me, when / got home,
and told her all
IL won't have it so" she said. "Mam-
ma must have been awful To- poor Stella;
for she had been told horrid things"
">tella won't give me a second thought
after such an insult Besides, fortune
has come back to her; and husband
chosen for her after the custom Of her
class"
Il wouldn't give you a second thought
either, if | were she, and knew You TO be
so faint-hCaitcl, said Dora, with spirit
shall ] get into armor, and charge
down upon the marcheSc lance in rest?
All, Dora, if but dreamed she loved me,
I'd carry her of from their midst, by
main force Unnecessary"
Good" cried Dpra. "Now you show
/ IlNik. - bllN tdlt, l NbuAl AlN " STU
her, and find out
"But how am to see her? They are
to move to-day, the horista tells ne, to
one of their old palaces Tcpurchased by
the sons money; and Stella's duenna is
of the strirteSt-"
Dora shook her head. deSpondinglv.
AT all events, You must keep watch Of
her. and be ready for anything, she
said.
| Beaumont now arrived, ostcusible to
call on me, but |, obhgiugly, took book
and an armchair in the window, and
turned my back. was aroused from my
sad reflections bv the entry of aunt Dldd
Just as Beaumont bad taken Dora's hand
and kissed her The mother compre-
hendcd the scene at a glance. There the
rulpritS stood looking very idiOtic
Aunt Dodd was picture Of terror and
diSmay.
Dora Mr. Beaumont she cried, trag-
ica'lv. "Do my eyes deceive me-"
no, they don't in the least; and its
quite right that you should know all
about it," answered Dora, couugcously
though she looked frightened enough,
and she came forward, holding Arthur'-
hand.
1T will kill me-my own child deceiv-
ing me-" murmured the old lady, with
real feeling.
"Now, dear mamma" said Dora going
up 10 her, aud kissing her. Listen to
reason. Dick has given us such a nice
villa and vineyard and Arthur is such a
dear"
| came TO the rescue with certain other
suggestions OF mercenary kind and
aunt Dodd finally consented 10 hear
Dora's eXposiulltions.
While she was still rasping and hystcr-
ical Beaumont leant over aud kissed her
hand, with many protestations of his de-
yOtiou.
ooh, Dirky" sighed my aunt, looking
dolefully at me- and have loved yon
as nay son so long. | thought you were
to marry her
sigualed that she was at perfect libcr-
tv to go on in the same line, tor an un-
limited length Of time, rs it might amusc
her, and did not bore me i'm the least but
that | could not marry Dora.
"llow hard-heartcd you have grown,
she said, turning away from me, since
You knew ttat cruel Italian girl, who
threw YOU over for her rich cousin. After
all, Dora, believe You are the only one
that is true
A few days after Beaumont said to
me:
Il saw stella to-day; she looked sad
and forSaken as you could wish, though
her carriage and liyeries We're splendid"
AEn4 stella inlaaJ sqlp had hppu