San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-17

stirred Uy the rapid, nnstuneu expires
| Sions of affection that melted so warmly
| from his lips in the liquid music of the
| mellow Tuscan tongue. mo, l am not
angry, but | am sorry to have been the
object of so much solicitude on your
part Your pity is misplaced, Vincenzo,
It is indeed. Pity an emperor clad in
purples and seated on thrones Of pure
gold, but do not pity me! 1 tell you
That tomorrow, yes, tomorrow,
have ever sought-my greatest
desire will be fulfilled. BeIieve it. No
man has ever been so thoroughly satia-
ted with satisfaction ..
rs 1 shall be.
Then seeing him look still sad and in
,redulous, l clapped my hand on his
shoulder and smiled.
''Come, come, AMIGO, wear a merrier
face for my bridal dap, or you will not
deserve to wed Lila. j thank you from
my heart" and l spoke more graveiy,
"for our well-meant care and kindness,
but | assure you there is nothing wrong
with me. l am well-perfectly we'll
and happy. 1t is understood that you go
to Avellino tomorrow EVENING""
Vincenzo sighed, but was passive.
1T must be as the EXcellenza pleases,"
he murmured resignedly.
"That is well" answered good hu-
moredly; land as you know my pleasure,
take care that nothing interteres with
your departure. And . one word
more you must cease to watch
me. Plainly speaking, l do not choose
10 be under your surveillance. Nay
-. l am not offended, far from it;
fidelity and devotion are excellent vir-
tues, but in the present case l prefer
Dbedience-strict, implicit obedience
Whatever l may do. whether l sleep or
wake, walk or sit still,-attend to your
duties, and pay no heed to my actions
So will you best serve me,-you under
stand!"
Isl, Signor!" and the poor fellow
sighed again, and redeemed with his own
inward confusion. "You will pardon
me, EXcellenza, for my freedom OF
speech? feel have done wrong :"
Il pardon you for what in this world
is never pardoned-eXcess of love-" |
answered gently. knowing you love
me, | ask you to obey me in my present
wishes, and thus we shall always be
friends"
His face frightened at these last
words. and his thoughts turned in
new direction. He glanced at the iron
box | had before gOntcd out to him.
That is to go TO Avellino, ECcellen-
ZAP" he asked. with more alacrity than
he had yet shown.
Yes" | answered. You Will place
it i'll the hands of the good Signora Mon
ii, for whom have great respect. She
will take care OF till | re-
turn"
Your commands shall be obeyed sig
nore," he said rapidly, as though eager
to atone for his past hesitation. After
ALL" and he smiled, sit will be pleasant
to see Lila: she will be interested, too,
to hear thefaccount of the Eccellenza'S
marriage"
And somewhat consoled by the pros
pect of the entertainment his unlocked
for visit would give to the charm
ing little maiden of his choice, he left
me, and shortly afterwards | heard him
humming popular love song softly un-
der his breath while he busted himself
in packing my pOrtmanteau for the
honeymoon trip "a pOrtmanteau de-
signed never to be used or opened by its
owner.
That night, contrary to my usual
habit, fingered long over my dinner.
at its close l poured full glass of fine
Lacrima CriSti, and secretly mixing
with it dose of a tastelesS but powerful
Opiate, called my valet and babe him
drink it and wish me JOY. He did SO
readily, draining the contents to the last
drop. 1t was tempeStuOus night; there
was high wind, broken through by
heavy sweeping gusts of rain. Vincenzo
cleared the dinnertable, yawning visibly
as he did so, then taking my outdoor
paletot on his arm, he went u his bed