Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-08-31

No"
At this unexpected answer a sudden
look of ineffable relief swept over her
features.
"Our mother was Italian, Mr.. Mar
burg" she said, 'and Antonio prefers
her language TO our colder English.
4 Though, save in conversation with him,
/ rarely use it myself" Then, with a
sorrowful look Of wounded pride that
went straight 10 his heart, she added:
IL am panied to read in your face, Mr..
Marburg, that you think some evil OF
me-"
81 do not Heaven forbid !" ex.
claimed Fred, fervently, ashamed Of
his brief suspicion. 81 was startled out
Of my senses by seeing you out when
thought you were in your room,
asleep--that is all. And, Kate" he
went on, the passion in his heart surg
ing up in hot words to his lips at sight
Of her beautiful, panied face so near
him. But somethlng-his better angel,
perhaps oh ecked the wild words ere
they were spoken. Il beg of you to
forgive my Iudeness," he ended, in a
different tone, letting 60 her wrist and
turning hastily away. ''Good night p
Perhaps Miss Haggerty wondered at
his sudden charge OF manner, but she
only looked after him with a quiet
smile.
Mrs. Lord had retained, and was
once more cat home" to a select COM
pany which filled her lofty rooms, re-
splendent with jewels, dreamy with
German waltzes, and heavy with the
fragrance of a thousand flowers. Yet
among all that brilliant crowd none
was so distinguished for rare attractive
ness rs the poor governess, Miss Hag-
gerty. Fred Marburg meant to speak
this evening, for the ghost Of that Oc-
tober midnight aud the low-spoken
addiO waited to his jealous ear, which
haunted him often enough, had not
had power to break her spell.
He watched her moving about, with
her striking beauty and unconscious
ease, as much at home in that pol
ished company AS the hostess herself,
and felt sort of pride of ownership
already in his heart. He believed that
she loved him, for there had been mo-
ments when those white cheeks had
crimsonod, and those dark, impassion-
ate eyes had dropped, beneath his
gaze. And he was now only awaiting
his opportunity to ask her for the sweet
assurance In words.
At last he believed that it had come,
| for he missed her from the parlors, and
hoping to find her in the conservatory
he rose and bent his atops in that direc-
ton, with a suppressed eagerness in his
eyes which told her how deeply bis
heart was involved in the power of this
woman.
He had not more than half made his
way thither when Il servant touched his
elbow and delivered whisper but inn
peratiye request from his sister TO meet
her instantly in the library. There
was something in the messengers
manner which convinced him that the
business, whatever it was, could not
wait; so, with rluttered imprecation
under his mustache, he turned on his
heel and retraced MS steps to the IL
brary. 1t seemed that fate was bound
to thwart him IN every attempt he
made to declare his passion.
When he stepped within the library,
what scene met his gaze His proud
sister lying in an attitude Of despair
upon the sofa, weeping as if her very
heart would break, and, under the gas
light, in her tasteful evening toilet,
with white face and blazing eyes close
| ly guarded by two officers of the lay
Miss Haggerty.
He stood like one suddenly turned
into stone. 90, Fred !" cried his sis
ter, Historically, "there is some aw.
full, dwfW mistake / sent for YOU to
explain to these officers who she is,
and how--O, Fred why don't you say
something ?" she implored, as her
brother stood speeches., looking
from one to another of the strange
group.
"There ia no mistake, sir" said one
of the officers, stepping forward, re-
Ispectlully. 'Gou and your sister have
been imposed upon by notorious ad-
ventures. This woman is Madam Ar
dit, an Italian, and the wife of ruin
ed Italian count, and together they
have been engaged III several noted
robberies. She has made use of her
beauty and talents to gain foothold
in wealthy families whom they intend
ed to viclimize. In one case, at least,
she went so far as to actually marry
her victim, in order to rob him to bet
ter advantage. 1t Is lucky for YOU"
significantly.
(Which we did," added the other Of
feer, "by shadowing her husband, and
following him, last night, to this very
house, Now we have got them both"
Miss Haggeyty-kate-can this be
true?' Fred fairly gasped, with face
rs death-like As her own. She did not
Ispeak, but the white face and the gilt
tering eyes told their own story. Heart
sick and faint, he turned away.
81 did not mean to rob you," thrilled
that low, unspeakably sweet voice in
his ear, unheard 10y any other. 81
meant to have married you, if could
have escaped him, and Fed shudder-
ed, rs his thoughts went back to that
dark-browed Italian, "for | love you,
and know that your heart is mine this
moment
Fred pppll nat hoo opptbar word pr