Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-02-14

would have done It surely. usa ne ,a1vS
That Is why / an sorry hO died"
Mastering my feelings by ViOlen
effort, forced myself TO speak calmly
TO this malignant old brute.
'Why do you hate the Countess RO-
mani so much?" asked him with stern
ness. HAS she done you any harm?"
He Strengthened himself as much as h,
was able and looked me full In the
eyes.
"See you'll" he answered with sort
Of leering laugh about the corners ol
his wicked mouth. ~ will tell yol
why hate her-yes-I will tell you, be-
cause you are man and strong. like
strong men, they are sometimes fooled
by women, Il Is true, but then they can
take revenge. was strong myself
once. And you-you are old, but you
love a jest-you will understand. The
Romani woman has done me no harm.
She laughed once. That was when her
horses knocked me down In the street.
was hurt, but l saw her red lips widen
and her white teeth glitter, she las q
baby smile, the people will tell you, SO
innocent! Twas picked up, her carriage
drove on, her husband was not with
her, he would have acted differently.
But it is no matter, tell you she
laughed, and then l saw at once the
likeness"
Tho likeness!" l exclaimed impa.
tiently, for his story annoyed me.
what likeness?"
Between her and my wife," the deal.
or replied, fixing bis cruel eyes upon
me with increasing intensity Of regard.
ooh, yes! know what love is. know
too that God had very little to do with
tho making of women. 1t was long
time before even he could find the Ma
donna. Yes, yes, know! | tell you
married u thing a. beautiful as morn.
ing in spring-time, with little head
that seemed to droop like flower under
its weight OF sunbeam hair, and eyes!
all, like those of tiny child when 1t
looks up and asks you for kisses. l was
absent once-I returned and found her
sleeping tranquilly-yes! on the breast
Of . black-brOwed street-singer from
Vcnice-a handsome lad enough and
brave as o lion. He saw me and sprang
at my throat-I held him down and'knelt
upon his chest-she woke and gazed
upon us, too terrified to speak or scream
she only shivered and made little
moaning sound like that OF spoiled
baby. looked down into her PROSTATE
lovers eyes and smiled. 4 will not hurt
you,' said. Had she not consented,
you could not have gained the victory.
All I ask OF you is 10 remain here for
few moments longer He started, but
was mute. bound him hand and foot,
so that he could not stir. Then took
my knife and went TO her. Her blue
eyes glsred wide-imploringly she turned
them upon me-and ever she wrung
her small hands and shivered and
moaned. plunged the keen,
bright blade deep through her
soft white flesh-.her lover cried out
in agony-her hearts blood welled up in
q crimson tide, staining with bright
hue the white garment she wore; she
flung up her arms-she sank back on her
pilows,-dead. / drew the knife from
her body, and with II cut the bonds Of
tho Venetian boy. / then gave 1t to
him.
flake 1t as q remembrance Of her,
said. In month she would have be-
trayed you as she betrayed me-
He ragged like mailman. He rushed
out and called the gendarmes. OF course
was tried for murder-but 1t was not
murder--it was justice. The judge
found extenuating circumstances. Nat
urally! He had wife of his own. He
understood my case. Now you know
why hate that dainty jewelled woman
up at the Villa Romani. She is just like
that other one-that creature j slew
she has just the same slow smile and the
Same child-like eyes. tell you again, /
am sorry her husband is dead-it vexes
me sOrely to think Of 1t. For he would
have killed her In time-yes!-0f that
an quito sure"
To be continued.