San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-30

DDS of consolation tor the feminine
sorrows which have no root save in van.
,ty and sefishness. l glanced quickly
from my wife to Ferrari; he coughed,
and appeared embarraSsed-he was not
so good an actor as she was an actress.
Studying them both, / know not which
feeling gained the mastery in my mind
contempt or disgust.
Console yourself, Madame" l said
eoldly. Time should be quick to heal
the wounds of one so young and beauti
full as you are. Personally speaking,
much regret your husbands death, but
would entreat you not to give way to
grief. which, however sincere, must I'M
happily be useless. Your life lies before
you--and may happy days and as fail
time in your life when you also loved!"
.'Oh, / have had my fan
cies, of cOurse!' / answered with
an Indifferent laugh.-"The wo-
man fancied turned out to be saint
| was not worthy of her,-at least so l
was told! At any rate | was so con-
WINGED of her virtue and my own I'M
worthiness, -that-I left her."
He looked surprised. IAN odd reason,
surely, for resigning her, was it not?"
Every Odd,-very unusual-but a suf-
ficient one for me. Pray let us talk of
something more interesting,-you pic
lures, for instance. When may l see
them?'
"When you please" he answered read
ily.-'though 1 fear they are scarcely
worth visit. have not worked much
lately. l really doubt whether l have
any that will merit pour notice"
You underrate your own powers,
Signor," | said with formal politeness.
'Allow me to call at your
studio this afternoon. l have a
few minutes to spare between three
and four o'clock if that time will suit
you"
1T will suit me admirably" he said,
with look of gratification;-''but fear
you will be disappointed. assure you
am no artist"
smiled l knew that well enough.
But / made no reply to his remark,-I
said, Regarding the matter of the
Jewels for the Countess Romani,-would
you care to see them?"
81 should indeed" he answered; they
are unique specimens, l think?"
II believe so," / answered, and going
to an escritoire in the corner of the
room, unlocked it and took out mas
sive carved oaken jewel-chest of square
shape, which l had mado in Paler-
mo. 1t contained necklace OF
large rubies and diamonds, with
bracelet to match, and pins
for the hair,-also a sapphire ring, a
cross of fine rose-brillants, and the
pearl pendant had first found in the
vault. All the gems, with the excep
ton of this pendant, had been reset by a
skilful jeweller in Palermo, who had act
ed under my superintendence,- and
Ferrari uttered an exclamation of aston
ishment and admiration, as he lifted the
glittering toys out one by one, and noted
the size and brilliancy of the precious
stones.
They are triHes," said carelessly,-
shut they may please woman's TASTE
and they amount to certain fixed value
You would do me great service il you
consented to take them to the ConteSsa
Romani for me,-tell her to accept them
as heralds of my forthcoming visit. l
am sure you will know how to persuade
her to take what would unquestionably
have been hers, had her husband lived.
They are really her propcrty,-she must
not refuse to receive what is her own. "
Ferrari hesitated and looked at me
earnestly.
You will visit her-she may rely on
your coming for certainty, l hope?'
l smiled. ''YOu seem very anxious
about it. May ask why?"
Il think" he replied at once, that 1t
would embarrass the countess very much