Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-06-06


and fussy with the portors concerning
his luggage, and argued with them about
some petty trlnes as obstinately and per-
tinaciOusly as deaf old woman, His
nerves were evidently Jared and I'M
strung, and 1t was relief when he ut
last got into his coupe. He carried q
yellow paper-covered volume In his hand.
l asked him II II contained any amusing
reading.
II really do not know" he answered
indifferently. ~ have only just bought
It. 1t Is by Victor Hugo"
And he held up the title-page for me
to see.
lie Dernier Jour dun Con-
damne." read aloud with
careful slowness. "Ah, indeed! You do
well to read that. 1t is a very fine
stndy!"
The train was on the point OF starting,
when he leaned out OF the carriage win
dow and beckoned me to approach more
closely.
Remember" he whispered, ~ trust
you to take care of herr"
''Never fear!' | answered, 81 will do
my best to replace your
He smiled pale uneasy smile, and
pressed highland. These were our last
words, for with warning shrek the
train moved of, and in another minute
had rushed out Of sight. was alone
alone with perfect freedom and action
could do as / pleased with my wife
now. could even kill her IL / chose
no ono would Interfere. l could visit
her that evening and declare myself to
her,-could accuse her of her iniidelity
and stab her to the heart Any Italian
jury would find ''extenuating circum-
stances" for me. But why? Why
should / lay myself open to charge Of
murder. even for just cause? No! my
original design was perfect, and must
keep TO 1t and work 1t out with patience,
though patience was difficult. While
thus meditated, walking from the station
homewards, was startled by the unex-
pected appearance of my valet, who
came upon me quite suddenly. He was
out OF breath with running, and he car
ried a note for me marked Immediate"
1t was from my wife, and rau briefly
thus
please come at once. Stella is very
III and asks for you"
"Who brought thiS?" l demanded,
Quickening my pace, and signing to Vim
cenzo to keep beside me.
1.-THE old man, observation-disclosures.
He was weeping and in great trouble
he said the little donzella had the fever
in her throat-it is the diphtherfa he
means, think. She was taken Ill In the
middle OF the night, but the nurse
1t was nothing serious. This
morning she had been getting worse,
and is in danger"
"a doctor has been sent for, OF
course?"
Eyes, Eccellenza. So Giacomo said'
But"
But what?" asked eagerly.
Nothing Eceellenza. Only the old
man said the doctor had come too late"
My heart sank heavily, and sob rose
in my throat. / stopped in my rapid
walk and babe Vincenzo cab carriage,
one of the ordinary vehicles that are
everywhere standing about for hire in
the principal thoroughfares OF Naples.
sprang into this and told the
driver to take me as quickly as,
possible to the Villa Romani, and
adding to Vincenzo that l should
not return TO the hotel all day, ]
was soon rafting along the uphill road.
On my arrival OF the Villa found the
gates open, as though in expectation OF
my visit, and as approached the en-
trance door of the house, Giacomo him
self met me.
''How is the child?" l asked him
eagerly.