Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-10-03

''Per Baccol" he said, with D sort OF
shamefaced eagerness; 1.-The very devil
must have caught my tongue In his fin
gersi There Is something / ought 70
say TO you, Eccelenza, but for my life
cannot find the right words. must
thank you better whom see you next"
YES" answered dreamily and some
what YEARLY, "when you sec me next,
Andrea, you shall thank me II you will;
but believe me. need no thanks"
And thus we parted, never TO meet
again-he to the strong glad life that is
born OF the wind and sea, and ! to :.
But let me not anticipate. Step
by step through the labyrlnths OF mem
ory let me 60 over the old ground
watered with blood and tears, not miss
ing one sharp stone Of detail on the
drear pathway leading to the bitter end.
That same evening had an interview
with Vincenzo. He was melancholy and
taciturn-a mood which was the result
OF an announcement had previously
made to him-namely, that his services
would not be required during my we'd
ding trip. He had hoped TO accompany
me, and to occupy the position OF cour-
Ter, valet, major domo, and generally
confidential attendant--a hope which
had partially soothed the vexation he
had evidently felt at the notion OF my
marrying at oil.
His plans were now frustrated, and II
ever the good-natured fellow could be Ill
tempered, he was assuredly SO
on this occasion. He stood
before me with his usual re-
spectful air, but he avoided my glance,
and kept his eyes studiously fixed on the
pattern Of the carpet addressed him
with an air Of gaiety.
'Ebbene, Vincenzo! Joy comes at
last, you see, even TO me! Tomorrow
shall wed the Countess Romani-the
lovelest and perhaps the richest woman
In Naples"
~ know II, Eccellenza."
This with the same obstinately liked
countenance and downward look.
"You are not very pleased, think, at
the prospect OF my hsppiness?" asked,
banteringly.
He glanced up for IN instant, then as
quickly down again.
"If YOU could be sure that the Illus
trissimo Excellenza was indeed happy,
that would be good thing" he an
answered obviously.
"And are you not sure?"
He paused, then replied firmly
mo; the Ecceilenza does not look
happy. No, no, 1avvero! He has the
air Of being sorrowful and Ill, both to-
gether."
/ shrugged my shoulders indifferently.
"You mistake me, Vincenzo. / am
well-very well-and happy! Gran Dio!
who could be happier? But what OF my
health or happiness?-they are nothing
TO me, and should be less to you. Listen;
have something l wish you to do for
me-"
He gave me q sidelong and hall-expect-
ant glance. / went on
Tomorrow evening / want you to go
to Avellino."
He was utterly astonished.
''To Avellinov' he murmured under
his breath. ito Avellino?'
"Yes, to Avellino," / repeated, some
what impatiently. ''1s there anything
surprising in that? You will take q
letter from me to the Signora Month
Look you, Vincenzo, you have been
faithful and obedient 30 far, l expect
implicit fidelity and obedience still. You
will not be needed here tomorrow after
the marriage ball has once begun; you
can take the nine o'clock train to
Ayellino, Northumberland me-you
will remain there TIL you receive
further news from me. You will not
have to wait long, and in the meantime"
here 1 smiled, ''you can make love to
LILA"
Vincenzo did not return the smile.
"But-but," he stammercd, sorely
perplexed-"if go to Avellino, l
cannot wait upon the Eccellenz&
There is the portmanteau TO pack
and who will see to the luggage
when you leave on Friday morning for
Rome? And-and-I had thought TO see
you to the station" He stopped, his
vexation was too great TO allow him to
proceed.
laughed gently.
"How many more trihes can you think
of, my friend, in opposition to my
wishes? AS for the p0rtmanteau, you
can pack 1t this very day II you so please
-thon IL will DO In readiness. The rest
l OIL your QuJl6S Cbu lOI OuC0 OO p0AAOA nv
by others It is not only important,
but imperative that you should go to
Avellino on my errand. want you
to take this with you," and ! tapped Q
small square iron box, heavily made and
strongly padlocked, which stood on the
table near me.
He glanced at the box, but still hesi-
tated. and the gloom on his countenance
deepened. grew little annoyed. =,
"What is the matter with you?" said
OF last, with some sternness. "You
have something on your mind-speaE
outm
The fear Of my wrath startled him.
He looked up with q bewildered pain In
his eyes, and spoke, his mellow Tuscan
voice vibrating with his own eloquent
entreaty.
"EccellenEa!" he exclaimed eagerly,
"you must forgive me-yes, forgive
your Door servant who seems too bold,
and who vet Is tue to you,-yes, indeed,