Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-11-24

through Switzerland, and October found
our travellers in Florence, where they
proposed remaining for a tims ere
going on TO Rome for the winter. IL was
and balmy, and they sat on the Viole del
Coli watching the purple glow OF the sun
set which hung over the fair city.
Mora, | wonder IL we shall ever want to
go home" Mary said dreamily. She had
been restless and fitful all through their
wanderings in Switzerland, but since they
had reached Florence a calmer mood had
succeeded.
Honora did not answer, she was intently
studying the figure of man who was
slowly coming up tho Hill toward them. At
last she said, almost in a frightened tone:
Mary, think that is Mr.. Greville. What
shall we do, sit still or hurry on!"
A tide OF crimson color surged over Mary
Seymour's face and then subsidized, leaving
her quite pale. But she answered: "Why
should we run away from him" and again
her eye rested on the lovely scene before
her.
Two months separation, he thought, had
taught Murray Greville tho folly of q
temporary infatuation, and when he saw
the names of the two ladies on the list of
visitors in Florence, he determined to seek
them out. So the accidental meeting was
less of surprise to him than to them.
May join you as OF yorei" he said, as
both held out hand OF greeting. "Do me
mlschief III you can"
Mary Seymours eyes spoke with fash
OF defiance in them as they met his.
II am not afraid of youl'
'.Nor | Of YOU" was his mute acceptance
of the challenge.
All, lovely Florence! Who that had wan
derod among her galleries, or climbed the
hill-sides of her environs and Toasted his
can ever forget it,
"You are going to be kind and take me
back as companion In your rambles, are
you notln Murray said, as he walked down
the hill beside them.
''On the terms on which our judges retain
their seat on the bench, during good be-
havior." was Mary Seymour's smiling re-
Spouse.
Il would rather you should say for life y
To expect a man to be on his good beha vior
all the time is too much Of tax on his
weak powers
~ suppose you think it is I who should
retain your companionship during good
behavior but really we have boon quite
proper and well-conducted this summer
for Bedouins. Have we not, Norai When
l get to Rome shall probably feel less dis
posed to decorum.n
IL was a lovely autumn, with succession
of warm, bright days that seemed to speed
away only too quickly in sauntorings
through the galleries of the Pitt and Uffizi,
or in perhaps still moro charming excur-
sions to San Miniato al Monte, Fissole,
Vallombrosa, or other points.
Mary" Honora said one day, ''take
carer'
mora, dear, wish you and his Holiness
would fall in love with each other. think
you would be better subject for training
wild into civilized state"
HAS he been trying to train you" Hon.
ora said quietly.
mo, either Ihave improved very much,
or he has de tcriorated, for seem to shock
him so seldom. 1t has all been very peace
full and-very pleasant" she added, with .
pause and something like sigh.
"Ah, | am almost sorry to move on to
Rome, dearly as love it. Ihave feeling
that the atmosphere there will not be so
pacific
Without question the three took their
journey to Rome together, whore the
ladies soon established themselves in an
apartment on tho Via Condotti, and MIR.
Greville took rooms at hotel near. But
Mary Seymour's prediction seemed to como
true They had spent the winter before in
Rome, and had quito a circle OF English
and American acquaintances, besides Q
few Italians. Both the cousins spoke that
language with ease and fiuency and on.
joyed making acquaintance who obliged
or enabled them to converse In that
tongue So it came to pass that social en-
gagements began to occupy more OF their
time: They had pleasant little afternoon
teas in their own apartment and went not
infrequently to larger entertainments
Mr.. Greville was still much with them, but
was no longer their sole companion and
as his knowledge Of Italian was limited to
the mere vocabulary which expressed his
absolute needs, he could take no part IN
their conversation with their Italian assc-
ciates. To one Of these an Italian officer
and special favorite of Mary Seymour's, he
took decided dislike, which caused a re-
newal between that young lady and him
self of the little passages at arms which
distinguished the beginning OF their nc
luaintance.
A large ball was to be given at the
English Embassy, to which he conducted
The ladies. Honora's rich black satin aud
gave her an unusually dignified
and elegant appearance, while Mary had
never looked more charming than i'm her
pink silk and pearls. En- route, Mr.
Greville expressed his objection to so much
dancing at so large and public an enter
whereupon Mary declared her
intention of darcing every dance, and be-
ing met by her friends, Count Scott and
Greece, at the door, besides one
Dr. two English acquaintances, soon had
her card quite full, leaving room only on
t for the one dance that Mr.. Greville had
NJ once claimed.
Your Highness objected to dancing,
thought" she said in reply to a protest on
DRY in asking. l could not wait all night
or you to decide whether you wished to
lance with me-"
And with a Isl sicino, Alberto Mo-"
,ook the proffered arm of Lieutenant
Irecc for a third waltz and whirled away.
It was a very pale set face that looked
,loomily after her and awaited her return.
"Let us take a turn in the corridor" no
aid, and without word she went with
him.
"Mary I" he burst forth presently, when
hey were little apart from the crowd,
give me the right to stop this thing;
AN not bear it!n
"Why don't you order me to give you the
light instead of merely asking for it, Is
{ your usual form of demanding lady's
,and to command her to accept you, give
Ter list of the amusements you mean to
,ut an end to, and then. perhaps, shoot her
{ she refusesf'
"Why are you so bitter-sweet!" he said,
ooking at her with blazing eyes. "You
almost make me understand how q man
an shoot the woman he loves, and who
owes him, for sometimes, in spite Of all,
I'm sure that you do love NO."
IF love you, why are you so jealous OF
NY poor little Albertol do love YOU"
The said, but you are a tyrant, and / will
never be slave. So leave me! ]" and
her hand from his arm she dis
appeared among tho crowd.
The first breath of spring had come, and
Nary Seymour stood on the balcony of
heir apartment looking over tho Eternal
Jity. Her face had lost something of its
and she sighed as turning back
10 the room, she threw herself on q sofa
lud was soon lost in melancholy musings
Ionora was out and she was quite alone.
{ had been pleasant winter in many re-
pects but it had not been altogether salts
actory, and she could not but admit to
herself that she was pining for something
he had lost, and without which she began
% fear she could never feel happy again.
She was so absorbed in reverie that she
lid not hear the slight rustic of the
curtain as it was lifted to admit Mr..
ireville, or raise her eyes TO greet him.
They had not met since the night of the
,all, and he stood a moment and looked at
Ter ere she became conscious of his pros
nee. Her whole figure seemed listless and
dropping, unlike her usual self, and a. she
1t last raised her eyes to his there was
in their softencd expression
hat touched him strangely.
81 am going home" he said, without
,ther preface, my father is i'll, perhaps
ly ing, and return at once. But IL seemed
Is IL could not leave, In spite of all that
n Ell xvst MI nd-huA