The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-12-12

under the shade of San Giovsnni at Tu-
rim. Doubtless he was Ill dottore"
SPOKEN of by the old woman as being
| the arbiter Of Pauline fate.
He bowed politely as he entered, cast
one quick look at me as if trying to gath
or what he could from my personal APP
pearancc, then seated himself in the
chair offered him
81 make no apology for calling." he
caii; ..you will. no doubt, guess why l
come" His English WAS fluent, but the
FOREIGN accent very marked.
81 hope guess correctly" 1 replied.
81 am Manuel Ceneri l am q doctor
by profession. MY sister was Miss
March's mother. | have come from
Geneva on your account.
Then you know what the wish-the
great wish of my life is?'
"Yes, l know. You want to marry
my niece. Now, MIR. Vaughan. l have
many reasons for wishing my niece to
remain single, but yonr proposal has
induced me to reconsider the matter"
Pauline might have been bale of
cotton, SO impassively did her uncle
speak of her future.
''ln the first place." he went on, al
am told you are well born and rich. Is
that sO?''
my family is respectable. 1 am we'll
connected and may be called rich"
You will satisfy me on the fattcr
point, suppose"
l bowed stirfiy, and taking a sheet of
paper wrote line to my solicitors ask
ing them to give the bearer the fullest
information us to my resources. Ceneri
folded up the note and placed it in his
pocket. Perhaps l showed the annoy
ance l felt at the mercenary cxactness
of his inquiries.
81 am bound to be particular in this
matter" he said, ''as my niece has
nothing"
Il expect nothing or wish for moth
ing"
"She had money once--a large fort
une. 1t was lost long ago. You will
not ask her how or where!"
ii can only repeat my former words"
Every well-I fee, have no right to
refuse your oler. Although she is half
Italian her manners and habits are En-
giish. An English husband will suit
her best. You have not yet, believe,
spoken of love to her?'
al have had no opportunity. l
should no doubt have done so. but as
soon as our acquaintance commenced
she was taken away"
Eyes, my instructions to Teresa were
strict. 1t was only on condition she
obeyed her that l allowed Pauline to
live in England"
Although the man spoke as one who
had absolute authority over his niece.
he had not said one word which evincei
affection. So far as that went, she
might have been Il stranger to him.
"But now, l suppose" l said, 81
shall be allowed to SEQ her?'
"Yes-on conditions. The man who
marries Pauline March must be context
to take her as she is. He must ask no
questions, seek to know nothing of her
birth and family, nothing of early days.
He must be content to know that she is
a lady. that she is very beautiful, and
that he loves her. viii this sullice?"
The question was such a strange one
that even in the height of my passion l
hesitated.
81 will say this much" added Cencri,
''she is good and pure her birth is
equal to your own. She is an orphan
and her only near relative is myself"
IL am content" cried, holding out
my hand to seal the compact. ''Give
me Pauline, l ask no more"
Why should not be content? What
d want to know about her family.
her antecedents or her history? So
madly did long to call that beautiful
girl mine that, believe. had Ceneri
told me she was worthless and dis
graced among women, should have
said, ''give her to me and let her begin
life anew as my wife" Men do such
things for love!
..Now, Mr.. Vaughan" said tho
Italian, drawing his hand from mine;
'.my next question will astonish you.
You love Pauline and believe she is
not indifferent to you--"
He paused, and my heart beat at the
thought.
''Will Your arrangements permit of
an early marriage-an immediate mar
riage? Can /. upon my return to the
Continent in few days, leave her
future in your hands entirely?"
81 would marry her to-day if it were
possible" cried.
ave need not be so impetuous as
that could you arrange for, say
the day after tomorrow"
l stared at him-I could scarcely be-
lieve heard correctly. To be married
to Pauline within q few hours! There
must be something in the background
OF such bliss! CcneIi must be mad
man! Yet even from the hands of
mailman, how could l refuse my hap
piness?
'.i5ut l don't know if she loves nc
would she consent?' stammered.
Pauline is obed :ent and will do as
wish. You can WOO her after her mar
rage instead of before it."
'.But can it be done on SO short no
ticei'
Il believe there are such things as
special licenses to be bought. You are
wondering at my suggestion. am
bound to return to Italy almost at once.
Now, 1 put it to you-can j, under the
present circumstances, leave Pauline
here with only servant to look after
her? No. Mr.. Vaughan, strange as it
may seem. must either see her your
wife before leave or must take her
back with me. The latter may be I'M
fortunate for YOU, rs here have only
myself to consider, whilst abroad there
may be others to consult. and perhaps
l must change my mind"
..Let US 90 to Pauline and ask her."
/ said, rising impat. emily.
Certainly" sad Ceneri, gravely,