Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-09-26

She shrugged her shoulders and poutet
like . spoilt child.
why are you so fond OF talking abou
my late husband, Cesare?" she asked
peeviShly; ~ am so tired Of his name
Besides, one does not always care TO bt
reminded OF dead people-and he died
so horribly too! / have often told
you that l did not love him ut oil.
liked him q little, and I was quite III
when that dreadful monk. who looked
like ghost himself, came and told me
he was dead. Fancy hearing such a
piece OF news suddenly, while was &C.
tually ut luncheon with Gui-Signor
Ferraril We were both shocked, OF
course, hut / did not break my heart
over 1t. Now really do love you"
drew nearer to her on the couch
where she sat, and put one arm around
her.
"You really do?" / asked In a half
incredulous tone; ''you are quite sure?'
She laughed and nestled her head on
my shoulder.
II am quite sure. How MANY times
Eave you asked me that absurd question?
What can l say. what can do to make
you believe me?"
Nothing" I answered, and answered
truly, for certainly nothing she could
say 2. do would make me believe her for
q moment 'But how do you love me
for myself or for my wealth?"
She raised her head with proud,
graceful gesture.
For yourself, Of course' Do you
think mere wealth could ever win INV
affection. No, Cesare. / love you for
your own sake-your own merits have
made you dear to me-"
] smiled bitterly. She did not see the
smile. slowly caressed her silky hair
"For that sweet answer, carissima
mia, you shall have your reward. You
called me fairy prince just now, per-
haps merit that tile more than you
kpoN: You Tepember the jewels sent
ych before We ever metz"
Remember them" she exclaimed,
''They are MY choicest ornaments. Such
Q parure is fit Tor an empress"
"And an empress Of beauty wears
them!" said lightly. "But they are
mere tri6es compared to other gems
which l possess, and which intend TO
offer for your acceptance"
Her eyes glistended with ayerice and
exbectA6cy. ~-s~.... -WDS..S- -
'Oh. let me see them!" she cried. "If
they are lovelier than those l already
have they must be indeed magnificent!
And are they all for me?"
"All for YOU" I replied. drawing her
closer, and playing with the small white
hand on which the engagement ring
had placed there sparkled so bravely.
"All for my bride. A little hoard Of
bright treasure: red ruties, aye, as red
as blood, diamonds as brilliant as the
glittering Of crossed daggers,-sap.
phiT3s as blue as the lightning, pearls
as pure as the little folded hands OF Q
dead child. -Opals as dazzlingly change
full as woman's love. Why do you
start?" for she had moved restlessly In
my embrace. "DO use bad SMILES?
All, cara mia. am no poet. can but
speak Of things Is they seem to my poor
Judgment Yes, these precious things
are for you, bellissima; you have moth
ing to do but TO take them, aud may
they bring you much joy!'
A momentary pallor had stolen over
her face while l was speaking-speak-
ing In my customary hard, harsh voice,
which strove to render even harder
aud harsher than usual.-but she soon
recovered from whatever passing emo
ton she may have fe;l, and gave herself
up to the joys of vanity and avarice. the
paramount passions Of her nature.
"I shall have the finest jewels In all
Naples" she laughed delightedly. "How
the women will envy me! But where
are these treasures? May see them
ow-immediately?"
mo, not quite Immediately" re-
piled with 0 gentle derision that escaped
her observation. Tomorrow night
our marriage night-yOu shall
have them. And must also
fulfil o promise made to you. You
wish to see me for once without these"
and i touched my dark glasses-''is 1t
not SOP"
She raised her eyes, conveying into
their lustrous depths an expression OF
melting tenderness.
EYES," she murmured; 81 want to see
you IS you are"
~ fear you will be disappointed" I
said with some irony, ''ior my eyes are
not pleasant TO look At"
''Never mind" she returned gAily. 81
shall be satisfied II see them just once,
and we need not have much light In the
room, as the light gives you pain.
would not be the cause Of suffering to
you-nO, not for the world"
''You are very aimable," l answered,
''more so than l deserve. hope may
prove worthy OF your tenderness.
But to return to the subject
of the jewels. l wish you to
see them for yourself, and choose the
best among them. Will you come with
me tomorrow night and will show you
where they are?"
She laughed sweetly.
"Are you o miser, Cesare?-and have
you some secret hiding place full Of
treasure like Aladdin"
smiled.
perhaps have" said. "There are
exceptional cases In which one
fears to trust even to bank.
Gems such as those have to offer you
IA