The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-11-26


surprised at her ignorance Of literature.
/ quoted an author, mentioned a book
by name, the remark passed unnoticed;
or she looked at me as II puzzled by
my allusion, or distressed at her own
ignorance. Although l had now seen
her several times, was not satisfied at
the progress had made. ] knew had
not as yet struck the keynote Of her
nature.
As soon as the old servant, duenna,
friend, or what she was, grew well, l
heard some startl ng news. My land
lady asked me If | could recommend
her apartments to ,.ny friend of mine
such rs myself she was good enough to
say-Miss March was going to leave,
and the landlady thought she would
prefer taking gentleman in her place.
felt certain this was countermove
Of that old bag Teresa. She had cast
venomous glances at me when we passed
each other on the stairs; had respond
ed surlily when | asked her II she had
quite recovered from the effects Of her
accldent--in word, knew she was
my enemy; that she had discovered my
feelings toward Pauline and was doing
her best to keep us apart. | had no
means of knowing the extent Of her
power or influence over the girl, but l
had sometime since ceased TO regard
her as nothing more than a servant.
The intelligence that my fellow-lodgers
were about to quit showed me that to
bring my love for Pauline to n success.
full issue, | must in some way make
matters straight with this unpleasant
old attendant. ....
That same evening, rs / heard her
coming down the stairs, l threw open
my door and stood face to face with
her. .
"Signora Teresa" 1 said,w with high
flown politeness, "will 1t please you to
step into my room? / wish to speak to
YOU"
She gave me a quick, suspicious
glance, but nevertheless complied with
my request. Iclosed the door and placed
chair for her.
"Your poor knee-is it quite wellp"
I asked sympathetically, and in Italian.
ut is quite well, signor," she replied
laconically.
"Will you take a glass OF sweet wincP
have some here"
Teresa, in spite of our inimical rela-
tions, made no objection, so filed q
glass and watched her sip it approx
ingly.
"ls the Signorina-Miss March wellP
have not seen her to-day"
"She is WE'LL"
lit is about her l wish to speak to
you-you have guessed thatP"
Il have guessed it." As she spoke
Teresa gave me u sullen, defiant look.
"Yes,n l continued, "your vigilant,
faithful eyes have seen what have no
wish to conceal. / love the Signorira
Pauline"
"She is not TO be loved" said Teresa,
sulkily. .'... .Ur.
"One so beautiful must be loved. ]
love her and will marry her." N
"She is not to be married"
"Listen, Teresa. say will marry
her. am gentleman and rich.
have go 900 lire year" wi,
The amount OF my income, magnif-
cent when reduced to her native coin
age, was not without its expected effect.
II her eyes, as they met mine, were as
unfriendly as ever, their look Of aston
ishment and increasing respect told me
was appealing to her tenderest feeling
-cupidity.
"Now tell me why I should not marry
the signorinaP Tell me who her friends
are that | may see them and ask her in
marriageP"
''She Is not for marriage"
This was all 1 could get from the old
woman. She would tell me nothing
about Pauline's family or friends. She
would only reiterate that she was moi
for love or for marriage.
had but one chance left. Teresa'i
eager look when | mentioned the in
come possessed had impressed me.
must condescend to the vulgar act O
direct bribery; the end would justify
the means.
As / was so often travelling It was my
habit to carry large sum Of money OF
my person. Idrew out my pocket-bool
and counted out hundred pounds II
/. new crisp notes. Teresa eyed then
hungrily.
"You know what these are worthp
| said. She nodded. ! pushed a cou
pie OF the notes toward her. Her skinny
hand seemed twitching with the desir'
to grasp them.
"Tel me who Miss March's friends
are and take these two notes; all til,
rest shall be yours on the day we ar
married"
The old woman sat silent for awhile
but l knew temptation was assailini
her. Presently / heard her murmur
ing, $4,000 lirel $4,000 lire yearp
The spell worked. At last she rose
care you going to take the moneyP'
asked.
Il can not / dare not. lam bound
But"
"But whatp"
81 will write. viii say what yo'
!. say TO IL dottore."
"Who is the doctor? / can write Il
him or see him."
"Did / say il dottorep 1t was slip
No, you must not write. l will asl
him aud he must decide"
"You will write ut oncep"
"At once" Teresa, with q linger
ing glance at the money, turned TO leav'
me. ltfI
| uVo., LoI. Lotto. tal-ar tkaon tx.x.