The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1885-04-15

each Other on the STAIRS nau responded
surlily when I asked if she had quite re-
covered from the effects of her accident
lin word, 1 knew she was my enemy I;
that she had discovered my feelings
towards Pauline and was doing her best
to keep us apart. ] had no means OF
knowing the extent of her power or in
time since ceased to regard her as nothing
more than servant The intelligence
that my fellow-lodgers were about to
/ quit showed me that to bring my love for
Pauline to a successful issue, l must III
some way make matters straight with
this unpleasant old attendant.
That same evening, as l heard her
coming down the stairs, threw open my
door and stood face face with her.
"Signora Teresa, said, with high
flown politeness, will it please you to
step into my room?j wish to speak to
you.
She gave me quick, suspicious glance,
but nevertheless complied with my Re.
quest. 1 closed the door and placed
chair for her. as
"Your poor knee--is it quite well?"
asked sympathetically, and in italian.
cit is quite well, Slgnor, she replied
laconically.
evil you take glass of sweet wine2
I have some here.
Teresa in spite of our inimical rela-
lions, made no objections so [ filled a
glass and watched hersip it approvingly.
lis the Signorina- Miss March well
I have not seen her to-day"
s'She is well"
cit is about her that I wish to speak
to you-you have guessed that ~
G. Aee L.
Teresa gave me a sullen, defiant look
eyes, I continued, "your vigilant
faithful eyes have seen what I have no
wish to conceal. 1 love the Signorina
Pauline"
'tShe is not to be loved, said Teresa,
sulkily.
Zone so beautiful must be loved. I
love her and will marry her.
'She is not to be married"
''Listen, Teresa. | say will marry
her. l am gentleman and rich. L
have $4,000 lire year.
The amount Of my income, magnifi-
Gent when reduced to her native coin
age, was not without its expected effect.
IT her eyes as they met mine, were as
unfriendly as ever, their look of astonish-
ment and increasing respect told me I
was appealing to- her tenderest feeling
cupidity.
"Now tell me Why should not marry
the Signorina? Hell me who her friends
are that l may bee them and ask her in
marriage" a
"She is not for marriage"
This is all Icould get from the old
woman. She would tell me nothing
about Pauline's family OF friends. She
would only reitefate that she was not for
love or for marriage.
j had but Qna tchance left. Teresa's
eager look when mentioned the income
possessed had impressed me. I must
condescend to the vulgar act of direct
bribery; the end would justify the
means.
AS I was SO often travelling it was nv
habit to carry large sum of money on
my person. drew out my pocket-book
and counted out a hundred pounds in
new crisp notes. Teresa eyed them
hungrily.
"You know what these are worth %
said. She nodded. pushed couple
of the notes towards her.
Her skinny hand seemed twitching
with the desire to grasp them.
"Tell me who Miss March's friends
are and take these two notes all the rest
shall be yours en- the day we are mar
ried."
The old womaa sat silent for awhile,
but knew temptation was assaillng her.
Presently I heard aer murmuring $50.
600 lire $4,000 hre a year," The spell
ing to take the money!" asked.
!" I cannot. 1 dare not. am bound.
But"
uR11t yy,batp"
81 viii write. I viii say what you say
to il dottore"
':Who is the doctor? can write to him
or see him."
''Did say il dottore? 1t was slip.
No you must not write I will ask him
and he must decide"
"You will write at onoe?"
cat once" Teresa, with a lingering
glance at the money, turned to leave me.
"You had better take these two notes,
said, handing them to her.
She buttoned them in the bosom of her
dress with feverish delight.
'sTell me, Teresa" said coaxingly,
"tell me if you think-if the Signorina-
Pauline cares all for me?'
''Who knows, answered the old woman
testify; 81 do not know-but again say
to you she is not for love or marriage.
Not for love or marriage! l laughed
aloud as I thought of the old womans
absurd and oft-repeated assertion. If on
the earth there was one woman more than
another made for love and marriage it
was my beautiful Pauline! l wondered
what Teresa could mean; than remember
ing the fervor with which she played in
San Giovanni 1 decided that, being an
ardent Roman Catholic, she wished Pau
line to take the veil This theory would
explain everything.
Now that [ had bought Teresa looked
forward to the enjoyment Of Paulines
society without espionage or interruption.
The old woman had taken my money,
and no doubt would do her best to earn
more. If could persuade the girl to let
me pass several hours of each day in her
company need fear no hindrance from
m ~, = - IL l..a.. .-.-.-..L.-l