Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-14
SuhPDRACOn.
CHAPTER II-Continued.

Flashing lights, CLEANS of Jewels and
satin, rich perfumes of eXotics that laded
the warm air, and a glorious moonlight
outside the window, flooding the marble
terrace that looked towards the la
goons.
The fair hostess received the two
Englishmen with enthusiasm, ST. Maur
presenting his friend, for she had met
the young peer in London society only
last season, and now asked after his
noble mother.
"She is well, thank you, Marchesa,
and babe me, if L had the happiness to
meet you, to carry you her kindest re-
membranes" answered the young
man, as Frank passed on.
"Ah! she is kind to remember me,
my lord; [ shall hope to see her again.
And"- archly-"are not you married
YETI"
Not yet, Madame" said heIaughing-
Iy, and with a slight significance in the
%yet," that made the lady look up
sharply.
'Ah! but you then will soon take a
bride perhaps. Have you heard that
we are to have, on dit, grand wedding
here before long%
''No, dear Marchesa, only dropped
anchor two days before the theatre was
burned" but he knew quite well what
she meant.
"Why, the beautiful Casamina-there
she is over there, surrounded of course
is to wed this strange Count Gerald;
al, &c n cba11on 10 o66a5
per, "for he is a man to dread and make
ones blood run cold, and poor Leonora
hates him, [ know. There he is, talking
TO her,-that handsome black-browed
man. See!" she shuddered.
Of course he did, he had seen Leono-
ia at once, and those about her In the
distance.
eyes," he said" and [ see he is no
fayorite Of yours, dear Marchesa?"
"Cielo, mol call Leonora my friend,
but what can / do-how can [ save her?
By the way, it is useless l suppose to
warn you, not to be too attentive to that
fair but unwilling bride elect3" this
with an arch laugh; because Gerald
would pick a quarrel and call you out,
VI hl1 yOl WILL ulo SlCllCts
81 could wish nothing better, Mar
Chesa, am a dead shot"
She touched his arm significantly,
and as he stopped his head, whispered
in very different tone
"Yet take care, a shot will not kill
him, and it is not the open challenge he
would give rival, but the treacherous
stab of the assassin; you may be even
now watched by a hired knave of his,
he knows that you saved LeOnora from
the flames. She told me, my Iordl she
is as nOble-hearted as she is beautiful"
II know it, my fair friend!" answered
Guy, "and she shall never be sacrificed
to that fellow, believe me-"
She looked in his flashing eyes and
smiled
Command my secret add" she said,
and turned away whilst ST. Maur made
his way to Leonora Casamina. The girl
turned to him with a glad smile and
outstreched hand that had in it more
than welcome-intense though
she almost instantly presented the dark
colorIess man besides her as Count
Geraldi;" the latter bowed and offered
his hand, but as St. Maur's eyes met
the cleaning black eyes of the other;
as his warm hand touched the other
ice cold, he felt chill run through his
very nerve and understood what Leo
nora had meant. The Count was, how
ever, all affability and thanked him
for the services he had dOne," he might
say to himself.
at is not worth mentioning, Count, !"
st. Maur answered, in no way deceived
by the others suavities, which were a
trifle overdone-
"Signorina, hayeyou one dance free?"
"The third from this, my lord, is free
Think" giving him her card, with q
defantly naughty glance at Gerald, as
see saw him frown. "You may put
your name to it."
This one is mine, believe" said the
Count, as the band struck up again.
mo, indeed, it is Captain d'Alferi's'
said she, with pretty unconcern; ''tht
next is your dance, Count"
And just then a young officer came
up to claim her, whilst St. Maur turned
coolIy to seek a partner among the fail
beings.
Later on, when he went to claim the
Venetian's hand for his waltz, he tool
notice that the Marchesa was Geraldi'
partner, and a shrewd suspicion flashed
across him as she gave him little noe
in passing him in the dance that sh,
would not readily let him off. 1t is no
easy for a man to politely free himsel
of pretty hostess, who is Determines
to flatter and fiirt, and who does thi
better than such an accomplished Wo
man of the world as the Marches
d'Urbino7
st. Maur was quite as accomplished
cavalier, and presently passing across
window, he adroitly drew his beautiful
companion out into the terrace, at tn
end of which was an arbor built like
miniature Greek temple! To this classi
house Guy led her.
Forgive mel" he whispered, bendin
down so low that his soft breath fame
her cheek, "but [ must speak fey
words to you. This contract of MAJ
riage is to be signed tomorrow, is