Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-06-20

1
nm quite safe, but Icannot always enjoy
that :"
The moment had come. advanced .
''why notq" I said. at rests entirely
with yourself"
She started and half rose from her
chair,--her work dropped from her
hands
"What do You mean, Conte?" she fall
tered half timidly, yet anxiously; II do
not understand"
IT mean what 1 say" continued in
cool hard tones, and STOPPING, i picked
up her work and restored 1t
to her; "but pray do not excite
Yourself. You say you cannot
always enjoy my protection; 1t seems 70
me that you can-by becoming my wife"
''Conte." she stammered. / held up
my hand as sign TO her to be silent
~ am perfectly aware" went on in
business-like accents. ''of the disparity
In wears that exists between us. ! have
neither youth, health nor good looks to
recommend me TO you. Trouble and
bitter disappointment have made me
what am. But have wcplth which
is almost inexhaustible-I have position
and influence-and besides these things"
and here looked at her steadily, II
have an ardent desire to do justice TO
your admirable qualities, and to give
you all you deserve. II you think you
could be happy with me, speak frankly,
Il cannot offer you the passionate
alteration Of young man-my blood Is
cold and my pulses slow-but what can
do will"
Having spoken thus, was SILENT
gazing at her intently. She paled and
flushed alternately, and seemed for a
moment lost in thought-then q sudden
smile Of triumph curved her MOUTH
she raised her large lovely eyes to mine
with look OF melting and wistful tend
erness. She laid her needlework gently
down, and came close up TO me-hcr
| fragrant breath fell warm on my cheek,
her strange gaze fascinated me and q
sort of tremor shook my nerves.
"You mean," she said, with q tender
pathos In her voice-"that you are will
ing to marry me, but that you do not
really love me?'
And almost appealingly she laid her
| white hand on my shoulder,-her music
L
sighed family. was silent,-battling
violently with the foolish desire that had
sprung up within me, the desire
to draw this witching fragile thing to
my heart, to cover her lips with kisses,
to startle her with the passion OF my
embraces. But / forced the mad i'm
pulse down, and stood mute. She
watched me, slowly she lifted her hand
from where II had rested, and passed II
with caressng touch through my
hair.
"No-you do not really love me-" she
whispered, l will tell you the
TRUTH love you!"
And she drew herself up to her full
the lie knew it was q lie-but seized
the hand whose caresses stung me, and
held 1t hard, as ans wered-
"You love me? No, mo- cannot be-
lieve tit is impossible!"
She laughed softly. ''It is true
though" she said emphatically, 1.-THE
very first time / saw you knew
l should love you! tell you
frankly / never even liked my hus-
band, and though in some things you re-
semble him, you are quite different In
others-and superior to him In every
way. Believe II or not as you like, you
are the only man in all the world / have
/ ever loved"
4 And she made the assertion unblush-
} ingly, with an air OF conscious pride and
virtue. Half stupefied at her manner, l
: asked,
I .Then you will be my wife,"
81 will" she answered." and toll me
your name is Cesare, is it not?'
/ Yes" said mechanically.
, "Then Cesare," she murmured tender
D ", II will make you love me very
{ muchv
And with o quick 1.-the movement OF
her supple figure, she nestled softly
I against me, and turned up her radiant
. glowing face.
kiss mel" she said, and waited. AS
9 one In o whirling dream, stopped and
kissed those false sweet lips! ! would
I have more readily placed my mouth upon
: that of q poisonous serpent! Yet that
I kiss reused sort Of fury in me.
slipped my arms round her hali-reclin'
h ing figure, drew her gently backwards
10 the COUCH Suo uhu IcAbi ouo sou WV
i beside her still embracing her. "You
I really love me?" asked almost tiercely.
"Yesp'
!. sand am the first man whom gov
have really cared forP"
''YOn arel"
''You never liked FerrariP"
''Neverw
"Did he ever kiss you as have dOne?'
"Not once!"
> God how tho lies poured forth very
cascade Of them! and they were all told
, with such an air of truth! / marvellet
ut the ease and rapidlty with which the!
Rlided of this fair wOman's tongue, feel
ing somewhat the same sense OF stupiC
establishment q rustic exhibits when hi
: sees for the first time q conjurer draw
ing yards and yards OF many-colouret
Q ribbon out OF his mouth. took up thu
9 MIL L.,d an ,.yhfoh thu vuaddin0 ring