Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-07
CHAPTER II,
A DARING LOVER.

A DARING LOVER.
Of course the next day Lord ST. Maur
called at the Palazzo Casamina to en-
quire after the Well-being Of its young
mistress and her uncle, who appeared
and rendered SOmeWhatpOmpou thanks
for the service done his niece.
'And not only for myself, Signor,"
said he, with warning glance at his
niece, "but on behalf of my child's be-
trothed, the noble countFlavio Gerald"
Which information my lord received
with a bow and smile, and in nowise
moved by its import which missed its
evident purpose. His recollection of
the lady's words, that she had nothing
to live for, and a covert glance at her
face now told him at once the whole
position, and thereby only fire i'm the
more with determination to play res
cuer second time, irrespective of any
consequences.
He took his leave soon after, but as
he lifted Leonora's hand CALAMITY to
his lips, he held it a second in a close
clasp, with just one look into her very
eyes, which made hers droOp, and arosy
tint mounting her cheeks, and her heart
bound within her"
| after early mass at ST. Marks" the
happy lover murmured softly, too low
for the old count to catch, and took his
departure.
This is an adventure after his own
heart. Here was the old story doubt
| less-an attempt to force this girl into
a hated marriage.
"Heavens! while / have life" he said
setting his white teeth, Il will save her,
whether she ever cares for me or not.
She does trust me, I know; I love her,
and will save her, if can"
Not a very difficult task, surely,
either for the handso1 g, gallant Guy
| St. Maur.
He was at early mass, Of course, on
Sunday, and presently discerned, some
what apart, the one he sought, accompa-
MED by an elderly probably an
old nurse. They were behind column
at the end of the noble edifce, and
when the other worshippers had gone
out, the young English noble quietly
stepped over that way.
| Leonora smiled and gave him her
hand with soft, shy color on her
cheek; bit her attendant would have
almost knelt at his feet in her gratitude
| to the noble signor who saved her dar-
ling child, but that he stopped her, half
taughingly, and saiu significantly thu )
he hoped to do her mistress a yet greao-
| er service.
Forgive me, Signorina," he said, eff
] ask you the truth Of the Count-your
uncle's attention to a certain Geraldi?"
at is true" the girl said low, but al
most with fierce determination, shat
they are trying to force me to marry
him, but / will die first. I hate him
fear him with an unspeakable dread.
Oh, he is horrible! terrible!" She
shuddered from head to foot, and
looked round fearfully, as ifhalf expect
ing to see the object of her dread.
HE came mysterioUsly lastAll Souls
Day, Signor, and has such strange in
huence over my uncle. He has wealth
untold; he moves so noiselessly, and one
lever knows where he is"
NAY, Signorina, you will say then
that he casts no shadow"
He does not, they say" the italian
whispered, fearfully. "His hand, too,
is ice cold, yet his eyes are SO terribly
| cleaning; and when he is near, I feel
I feel as if [ must yield to some awe
some power stronger than myself, and
die rs if my very soul was lost. Oh,
Madonna! it is too fearfull"
Fear nothing" said Guy, clasping
her hand. when is the contract to be
signed, Annetta?"
The nurse answered that the marriage
contract was to be signed the day after
the Marchesa d'Urbino's ball.
L know her; I shall be there" said
St. Maur. Fear nothing Signorina
LeOnora, you have devoted servant, a
faithful friend in Guy St. Maur; but I
will not keep you longer now, to your
peril perhaps. You will be at the ball?"
$50 will Count Geraldi," she Whis-
pered. ooh, my lord, take care for the
MadOnna's sakel"
For yours, rather" he N tered, and
turned quickly away.
But Leonora heard, and the light
flashed into her dark eyes.
Come, dear Annetta," she said; she
is most handsome, noble, this English
man."
He thinks that my child has lover
Of her own" said the nurse.
But [ have not, nurse; you know that
[ have no lover"
But in this very assertion the GRIM
son dyed her cheeks, and she ended
with half laugh. What then surely
was this very Engishman? Why did
her heart beat so fastwhen he was near?
Why was Gerald more repulsive to her
| than ever.
(T'O be Continued }
Laid 1t to His Memory.