Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-06-27

"You are fatlgucd and over-exclted, /"
] said calmly, ''your nature Is too imagl-
native. No; am not related TO the Ro-
manis, though possibly may have some
OF their mannerlsms. Many men are
alike In these things. But you must not
give way to such fancies, rest perfectly
quiet, you will soon recover"
And pouring out glass OF water, l
handed II to her, She slipped II slowly,
leaning back In the fauteuil where l
had placed her, and In silence we both
looked out on the November night
There was moon but she was veiied by
driving clouds. which ever and anon
swept asunder to show her cleaning pal
idly white, like the restless spirit OF q
deceived and murdered lady. \ rising
wind moaned dismally among the fading
creepers and rustled the heavy branches
of giant cypress that stood on the
lawn like a huge spectral mourncr
draped In black, apparently waiting for
forest funeral. Now and then few
big drops of rain fell-suddcn tears
wrung us though by force from tho
black heat of the sky. My wife shiv-
cred
shut the Window" she said, glancing
back at me where l stood behind her
chair. II am much better now. 1t was
very silly. / do not know what came
over me, but for the moment felt
afraid-horribly afraid-of you"
THAT was not complimentary TO your
future husband" ! remarked quietly,
rs l closed and fastened the window
in obedience to her request "Should
| not insist upon an apology"
She laughed nervously, and played
with her ring OF rose brilliants.
at is not yet too late" resumed; iii
on second thoughts you would rather
not marry me, you have only to say so. |
shall accept my fate with eQuanimity,
and shall not blame you"
At this she seemed quite alarmed. and
rising, laid her hand pleadingly on my
arm.
surely you are not offcnded?" she
said. IL was not really afraid OF you,
YOU know-it was a stupid fancy-I can
not explain IL. But l am quite well
now, and am only too happy. Why,
would not lose your love for all the world
you must believe mel
And she touched my hand caressingly
with her lips. withdrew 1t gently, land
stroked her hair with an almost parental
tenderness: then said quietly;
IF so, we are agreed, and all is well.
Let me dvise you to take long nights
rest; your nerves are weak and some
what shaken. You wish me to keep our
engagement secret?"
She thought for moment. then an
swercd musingly-
"For the present perhaps 1t would be
best. Though" and she laughed, lit
would be delightful to see all the other
women jealous and envlous OF my good
fortune! Still, II the news were told to
any of our friends-who knows?-it
might accidentally reach Guido,
and"
81 understand! You may rely upon
nv discretion. Good night, Contessa"
You may call me Nina" she muir
INJURED softly.
"Nlna, them" said with some effort,
as lightly kissed her. Good night
may your dreams be of me!'
She responded to this with gratfied
smile, and as left the room she waved
her hand in q parting salute. My dta-
monds flashed on it like small circlct
of fire; the light shed through the rose
colored lamps that hung from the painted
ceiling fell full OH her exquisite lowell
ness, softening II into ethereal radiance
and deIicacy, and when / strobe forth
from the house into the night air heavy
with the threatening gloom Of coming
tempest, the picture OF that fair face and
form fitted before me like q mirage-the
glitter of her hair flashed on my vision
like little snakes of iire-hcr 1.-the hands
seemed to beckon me-her lips had left a
scorching heat on mine. Distracted with
the thoughts that tortured me, l walked
ON and on for hours. The storm broke
nj last, the rain poured in torrents, but
needless of wind and weather, l
wandered on like a iorsaken fugl-
tive. seemed to be the only human
being left alive in world OF wrath ana
darkness. The rush and roar OF the
blast, the angry noise Of waves breaking
hurriedly on the shore, the swirltng
showers.that fell on my defenselcss head
all these things were unfelt, unheard by
me. There are times III mans life
when mere physical feeling grows numb
under the pressure OF intense mental ag-
ony-when the indignant soul, smarting
with the experience Of some vile injus-
ticc, forgets for little its narrow and
poor house of clay. Some such mood
was upon me then, suppose, for in the
very act OF walking was almost .uncon-
scious Of movement An awful solitude
seemed to encompass me-a silence OF my
own creating. fancied that even the
angry elements avoided me as ! passed;
that there was nothing, nothing In
all the wide universe but my