The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-28
HAD SHE A HEART

hAD D11L Il 1lLAhl
The marquis walked excitedly up and
down his private Office. He was expecting
telegram from his business friends in
Milan. Every minute he looked at his
watch, until, in the course of a half hour.
the movement Of his hand to his vest
pocket had become quite mechanical. He
had invested enormous sums in the doubt
fuI enterprise of new railroad in Calabria,
he had been extravagant in his personal
habits, he had lost much at play, and a
certain beautiful dancer in the st. Carlos
theatre was making every day greater de-
mands on him
Besides the ordinary bills, which were
large enough, there was the account with
the jeweier, Brocchini, who stood ready at
any time to lay the matter before the mar
quis' wife, the only person in all Naples
who seemed to ignore his relation with the
beautiful artist. Then the scandal would
be complete-just now, when he was facing
ruinl
At last the decisive dispatch! He changed
color and his fingers shook as ne tore open
the big blue envelope. ''Impossibler' That
one word was enough to overwhelm the
man. With a hoarse sound. as if his throat
were filling up, he sank on a seat
The marquis is a handsome man, nearing
the forties, slender, in bearing and dress
pleasing mixture of aristocratic dignity
and the ease Of d man of the world.
Some one knocked. The marquis rose
instantly, passed his hand over his face,
and every trace of excitement disappeared.
Come in"
His wife appeared in the doorway in
costly fur, charming plush hat trimmed
with wings, beftting the winter season,
ON the dark, naturally wavy hair, and d
short, white veil over the blooming, beau
tiful young face.
1T is good that find you, Ernesto," she
said in her rich tones, and with an ease of
manner peculiar to her.
The marquis hurried forward to kiss her
hand and place a chair for her
Brilliant in her youth and beauty, state
ly, elegant, every inch the great lady, she
stood before him and fixed her large,
sparkling eyes on him, Unembarrassed, al
most Indifferent.
To what am l indebted for the honor Of
your visit, Adelina?"
''The reunion ball! VIII you do me
favorF"
"Gladlyr' the marquis bowed calamity.
Then go with me this EVENING" She
reached him her hand, as was the custom
there.
Are you going to drivers he said, wish
ing only to add a few words.
'Yes-to Posillippo-with the Ononevole
and his little Jenny"
'Why do you not take Marie?"
"She is not quite well. 4 little indiges-
ton, think. But / ara going to call the
doctor, just to feel sure"
The marquis accompanied his wife to the
carriage and returned to his study. He
was lingering the papers on his writing
desk absently, when a perfumed letter ar
rested his attention
THE deviln' be murmured. Il was to
20 with Olga at O'Clock TO Irisec's to sup
per Bat / am enough of a gentleman to
give the maTchioncss the preference over
the dancer, even If the latter is the more
amusing
Dear Olgar7 he wrote hastily, pressing
business prevents me from going to tahe
supper with you. Do not expect me until
Is morrow afternoon. Ernesto."
He rang, and gave orders TO the servant
TO deliver the letter at once.
At the reunion tLe marchiOness capti-
waited al by her wonderful beauty, and her
husband also charmed every one by his
chivSlrOus attentions 10 the ladies and his
sparkling, witty conversation.
In the course Ol the evening the marquis
gave his wife his arm 20 lead her through
the ballroom. As they walked admiring
glances followed them from all sides.
What beautiful, distinguished couple"
was the universal comment.
1t was lust noon when the maid knocked
at the marchioness' door. in wrapper OF
white cashmere the lady was sitting at her
dressing table opening box Of Paris per
fume which had just been sent
How Is my daughter she asked, look
ing at one of the dainty little bottles which
she held in her hand.
Her fever Is somewhat higher"
AIR She put the bottle on the table |
and rose.
Who is with hers
The yovcrncss. I believe she watched /
with her all uIEhJ-aud, Signora March /
essa," the maid went on hesiuatngly, lin /
the waiting room Is some one who saws he /
wishes 10 see NOu-tae ]a7v2.er, BrocuEln' /
\ hardly percePvble iold showed itself !
between the eyebrows OF the beautiful la /
dy. For one instant she selmei 20 strug- /
gle with herself, then sAe said, lightly:
He may come in
"IXccl-ea1,,. tEe man st2,nmored in an /
tone, although inwardiy con /
tented: Il should not like TO take any in .
discreet step in what concerned the mar
Quis; but Seheve that the articles bought 1
are for lady's we&ring' stopped, for 1
the marchioness had made an impatient |
gesture and throwa teotiag glance upon /
the bill. which was to the amount of 5000 /