The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-06-26
BY MARIE CORELLI
CHAPTER xvL-ooNTrNUED'

CHAPTER XvL-CONTINUED'
FtYou can do muchl" he replied earn
estly; land feel that can thoroughly
depend upon you. Watch over herl She
will have no other protector, and she Is
so beautiful and carelessl You can
guard her-your age, your rank and po-
sition, the fact of your being an old
friend of the family-all these things
warrant your censorship and vigilance
over her, and you can prevent any other
man from intruding himself upon her
notice"
''If he does" exclaimed, starting up
from my seat with mock tragic air, 81
will not rest till his body serves my
sword as a sheathl'
And l laughed loudly, clapping him on
the shoulder as spoke. The words
were the very same he had
himself uttered when / had wit
messed his interview with my wife in
the avenue. He seemed to find some
thing familiar in the phrase, for he
looked confused and puzzled. Seeing
this, fastened TO turn the current of
his reflections. Stopping abruptly in
nv myrth, l assumed q serious gravity of
demeanour and said,
Nay, nayl 1 see the subject is too
sacred to be TESTED with-pardon my
levityl assure you, my good Ferrari, l
will watch over the lady with the jealous
scrutiny of brother-an elderly brother
too, and therefore one more likely to be
a model of propriety. Though frankly
admit it is task / am not specially fit
ted for, and one that is rather distaste-
full to me, still, l would do much to
please you, and enable you to leave Ma
Piles with an easy mind. promise you"
here l took his hand and shook it
warmly-"that l will be worthy of
your trust and true to it, with
exactly the same fine loyalty
and fidelity you yourself so
nobly showed to your dead friend Fabio.
History cannot furnish me with better
exampler'
He started as if he had been stung,
and every drop of blood receded from his
face, leaving it almost livid. He turned
his eyes in kind Of wondering doubt
upon me, but l counterfeited an air of
such good faith and frankness. that he
checked some hasty utterance that rose
to his lips, and mastering himself by
strong effort said briefly.
upon your honour"
"You can!' l answered decisively-
''as positively as you rely upon Your
Own!" Again he WINGED, as though
whipped smartly by an invisible lash.
affected regret,
"And when must you leave US,
carino?"
Most unhappily, at once" he an
swered. Il start by the early train to-
morrow morning"
"Weil, l am glad knew of this in
time" l said, glancing at my writing
table, which was strewn with unsent
invitation cards and estimates for
decorators and ball furnishers. 81 shall
not think of starting any more gaieties
till your return"
. He looked gratefully at me. 'Really?
1t is very kind of you, but 1 should be
sorry. TO interfere with any of your
plans
Say no more about it, amico," in
terrupted him lightly. Everything can
wait till YOU come back. Besides. L am
sure you will prefer to think of Madame
as living in some sort of secluSion dur
ing your enforced absence. :"
Il should not like her to be dull!' he
eagerly exclaimed.
''Oh, mop l said, with a slight smile at
his folly, as if she-Nina!-would permit
herself to be dull! 81 will take
care of that Little distractions, such
as drive now and then-or a very quiet
select musical evening. understand
leave it all to me! But the dances, din
ners and other diversions shall wait till
your return"
A delighted look flashed into his eyes.
He was greatly flattered and pleased.
You are uncommonly good to me,
Confer he said earnestly. 81 can never
thank you sufficiently"
Il shall demand proof of your graft
tude some day." l answered. And now,
had you not better be packing your port
manteau? Tomorrow will soon be here.
! will come and see you off in the morn
Ing"
Receiving this assurance as another
testimony of my friendship, he left me.
| saw him no more that day; it was easy
to guess where he was! With my wife,
of course!-no doubt binding her,
by all the most sacred vows
he could think of or invent, to be
true to him,-as true as she had
been false to me. In fancy could see
him clasping her in his arms, and kiss
ing her many times in his passionate
fervour, imploring her to think Of him
faithfully, night and day, till he should
again return to the Joy of her caresses!
l smiled coldly as this glowing picture
came before my imagination. Ay,
Guido! kiss her and fondle her now to
your hearts content-it is for the last