The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-08-21

culAte0 that IN tW0 or three minutes ~
the very least might throw down the
trump card I held so patiently in my
hand all the evening.
/ took q close observation of Ferrari.
he had edged his chair little away
from mine, and was talking confidential
ly to his neighbour, Captain de Hamal,-
his utterance was low and thick, but vet
I distinctly heard him enumerating in
somewhat coarse language the exterior
charms of a woman-what woman did
not stop to considerable burning idea
struck me that he was describing the
physical PROJECTIONS Of my wife to this
de Hamal, a mere spadaccino. for whom
there was nothing sacred In heaven or
earth. My blood rapidly heated itself to
boiling point-to this day / remember
how It throbbed in my temples-leaving
my hands and feet icy cold, / rose In
my seat and tapped on the table to call
for silence and attention-but for some
time the noise of argument and the clat-
ter Of tongues were so great that
could not make myself heard. The
Duke endeayoured to second my
efforts, but In vain. At last Ferrari's
notice was attracted,-he turned round,
and Selling q dessert knife beat with it
on the table and on his own plate so
noisily and persistently that the
loud laughter and conversation ceased
suddenly. The moment had GOMEZ
raised my head fixed my spectacles more
firmly over my eyes, and spoke in dis
tinct and steady tones, first of all steal
ing a covert glance towards Ferrari.
He had sunk back again lazily in his
chair and was lighting cigarette.
my friends" / said, meeting with a
smile the inquiring looks that were d.
rected towards me, 81 have presumed to
interrupt your mirth for a moment, not
to restrain it, but rather to give it fresh
impetus. asked you all here tonight,
as you know, to honour me by your
presence and to give a welcome to onr
mutual friend, Signor Guido Ferrari. :"
Here was interrupted by loud clap
ing of hands and CALCULATIONS of ap-
proval, while Ferrari himself murmured
affsbly between two puffs of his cigarette,
"Tropp' onore, AMIGO, tropp' onOre!" l
resumed, This young and accomplished
gentleman, who is, l believe, favourite
with you all, has been compelled through
domestic affairs to absent himself from
our circle for the past few weeks, and
think he must himself be aware how
much we have missed his pleasant COM
pany. 1t will, however, be agreeable for
you, as it has been for me, to know that
he has returned to Naples richer man
than when he left it-that fortune has done
him justice, and that with the possession
of abundant wealth he is at last called
upon to enjoy the reward due to his
merits!"
Here there was more clapping of hands
and EXPLANATIONS of pleasure, while
those who were seated near Ferrari
raised their glasses and drank to his
health with congratulations, all of which
courtesies he acknowledged by a non
chalant, self-satisfied bow. j glanced at
him again,-how tranquil he looked! :.
reclining among the crimson
cushions of his chair, a trimming glass
of champagne beside him, the cigarette
between his lips, and his handsome face
slightly upturned, though his eyes rest
ed half drowsily on the uncurtained
window through which the Bay Of Ma
pies was seen glittering in the moon
light.
continued, ut was, gentlemen, that
you might welcome and congratulate
Signor Ferrari as You have done, that |
assembled you here tonight,-Or rather,
let me say it was partly the object of our
present festivity,-but there is yet an
other reason which shall now have the
pleasure of explaining to you,-a reason
which, as it Concerns myself and my i'm
mediate happiness, will feel confident
secure your sympathy and good wishes"
This time every one was silent, in
tently following my words.
What am about TO say" went on
calmly, may very possibly surprise you.
i have been known TO you as a man of
few words, and, l fear. Of abrupt
and brusQue manners, "-cries of mo,
mol" mingled with various compliment
airy assurances reached my ears from all
sides Of the table, bowed with a graft
fed air, and when silence was restored,
AT any rate you would not think me
precisely the sort of man to take lady's
fancy" A look of wonder and curiosity
was now exchanged among my guests.
Ferrari took his cigarette out of his
mouth and stared at me in blank as
constituent.
No." went on maditatively. ''alS =:
l am, and haTf-blind invalid besides,
it seems incredible that any woman
should care to look at me more than
twice en- PEASANT. But / have met,-let
me say with the Chevalier Mancini,-an
angel, who has found me not displeasing
to her, and-in short-I am going to
marryr'
There was a pause. Ferrari raised
himself slightly from his reclining posi-
ton and seemed about to speak, but ap-
parently changing his mind he remained
silent,-his face had somewhat paled
The momentary hesitation among my
guests passed quickly. All present, ex-
cept Guido, broke out into a chorus of
congratulations, mingled with good hui
incurred jesting and laughter.
''Say farewell to jollity, Conte!" cried
Cheyalier Mancini; ''once drawn along
by the rustling music of woman's
had tonight!'
And he shook his head with tipsy mel
ancholy.
by all the gods!" exclaimed Gualdro,
Your news has surprised me! | should
have thought you were the last man to
give ny liberty for the sake of woman.
One woman, too. Why, man, freedom
could give you twenty!'
'Ah!" murmured Salustri softly and
sentimentally, "but the one perfect
pearl-the one fiawless diamond"
Bah! Salustri, caro- milo, you are half
asleep" returned Gualdro. Its the
wine talks, not you. Thou art con-
Quered by the bottle, AMIGO. You, the
darling Of all the women in Naples, to
talk of one. BuOna notte. bambino.'
/ still maintained my standing posi-
ton. leaning my two hands on the table
before me.
What our worthy Gualdro says"
went on, ''is perfectly true. | have
been noted for my antipathy to the
fair sex. l know it. But when one of
the loyeliest among women come out of
lPr WAY To fpmnf rna-uhnn chn hnrrnlf |