Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-09-07

/ Carrying the packages before mem
J toned, I followed Amina into one of
the houses, which seemed like small
inn. A man, evidently the landlord,
was standing at the door. Directly he
saw my companion, he made her polite
bow, and saying something / did not
quite understand led the way upstairs
to the first landing. He did not seem
surprised to see either her or me, and /
kept behind, wondering more and more
how it would all end.
On the first landing we entered a
room, neatly fitted up and cleanly fur
nished- the last somewhat novelty
in Venice anywhere, and more es-
pecially in a place like this we had
come to, judging by the look of the
citizens outside.
There was only one lamp in the fur
ther corner of the room, which gave a
very subdued light, and / stood by the
door, somewhat in the dark. The
landlord left the room; but before I
had time to offer my explanations, she
threw off her cloak and I saw before
me one of the prettiest, dark-eyed
signoras I thought had ever seen.
did not know what to do, and my
confusion was further increased when
she said in her native tongue musical
at all times, but on this occasion rem
dered doubly musical by the voice that
spoke it:
"How provoking it was, dearest,
that I could not come last night My
4 father suddenly altered his intention
and did not leave. till to-day. / was so
| fearful. lest he had discovered ns.'
l thought after this that it was high
time to show who / was, 50 took off
my hat, which / had hitherto kept on,
and came close to her by the light.
She came toward me, suddenly
stopped, gave little scream, and burst
out crying, saying
i am betrayed / am betrayed r
! Her scream brought the landlord up,
and he looked scarcely less astonished
than she had done when she saw me
| sfandino o hefora hor
"How is this signor?" he said at
length. "What are you doing in this
lady's room?7
"You yourself saw me come with
her" I replied; and turning to the lady
| said: Pardon me, signora, but I fear
we have both been laboring under a
mistake. received your letter last
night asking me to keep an appoint
ment. / have done so-somewhat
wrongfu1y and foolishly, perhaps and
| am sincerely sorry if am the cause
OF bringing you any unhappiness
through my boyish love Of romantic
adventures. I should have told you Of
this at first /; committed a great error
in not doing so and now if I can
make you any reparation in my power
only command me and it shall be done. !"
She looked at me with surprise, and
smiling through her tears, replied
"You are not SO much to blame as
am it is l who am foolish in mistak-
ing you for my husband
"Your husband r / cried.
Yes" the lady continued. mine
is story that does not take long to
tell. 1t is the old, old tale. Ny father
is rich, and my lover is poor, and there
fore it was crime for him to think Of
making me his wife. thought differ
emily, however, and some few months
ago was secretly married to him. 1
hoped that time and circumstances -
here she slightly blushed--"w would
have some effect in softening my
fathers determination but when |
mentioned to him my husbands name
the other night, he forbade me to think
Of him any more. Seeing that all my
efforts were Of no avail determined
to leave my fathers house and Venice,
rather than lead a life that was insup-
portable to me. / availed myself of
| the opportunity of my fathers being
away from home for week to put my
design into execution. Last night had
| fixed for my husband to come and fetch
me, but unfortunately my father sud
| denly altered his intention, and did not
leave home till this morning. Seeing
you pass so close to the window yester-
day evening and look up toward me, |
| made sure it was my husbands Condo
la. 1t was too dark to see quite plainly,
| and threw the letter to you. You
know the rest. Everything passed off
SO naturally tonight that had not the
| least suspicion who you were, espe-
cially as did not hear your voice out
loud. The hat you wore completely
4 disguised you, and your beard is the
same color and the same form as my
| husbands. | must say that I cannot
help thinking that you did not act
| quite fairly in not discovering yourself
sooner. But what's done can't be un-
done, and forgive, if you promise not
to betray me, and help me, now am
unprotected"
j So saying she extended her hand to
me, which, + scarcely need say, took
most willingly.