Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-05-30

win me. In this case also resolved-to
be wonl A grim courtship truly-be.
tween n dead man and his own widow!
Ferrari never suspected what was going
on; he had spoken OF me as THAT poor
fool Fabio, he was too easily duped;" yet
never was there one moro ''easily duped"
than himself, or TO whom the cpl
tibet ''poor fool" more thoroughly
applied As said before he was
sure-too sure OF his own good for
tune. / wished to excite his distrust and
enmity sometimes, but Tho ! found /
could not do. He trusted me-yesl as
much as In the old days / had trusted
him. Therefore the catastrophe for him
must be sudden as well as fatal-per-
haps, after oil. 1t was better so.
During my frequent visits to the Villa
I saw much OF my child Stella. She be-
came passionately attached to me-poor
little thing!-her love was mere nat
ural instinct, had she but known 1t. Of
ten, too, her nurse, Assunta, would
bring her to my hotel to pass an hour or
so with me. This was great treat to
her, and her delight reached Its climax
when took her on my knee and told her
a fairy story-her favourite one being
that OF good little girl whose papa sud-
denly went away, and how the little girl
grieved for him till at last some kind
fairies helped her to find him
again. was at first somewhat
afraid OF old Assunta,-she had been my
nurse,-was 1t possible that she
would not recognize me? The first time
met her In my new character I almost
held my breath in sort Of suspense
but the good old woman was nearly
blind, aud think she could scarce make
out my lineaments. She was OF an en-
tlrely different nature to Giacomo the
butler, she thoroughly believed her mas
ter to be dead, as indeed she had every
reason to do, but, strange to say,
Giacomo did not. The old man had a
fanatical notion that his ''young lord"
could not have died so suddenly, and he
grew so obstinate on the point that my
wife declared he must be going crazy.
Assunta, on the other hand. would talk
yolubly OF my death and tell me with as
sured earnestness;-
ut was to be expected, Eccelenza-
he was too good for US, and the Saints
took him. or course our Lady
wanted him-she ALWAYS picks out
the best among us. The poor
Giacomo will not listen TO me, he grows
weak and childish, and he loved the
master too wcll-better," and here her
voice would deepen into reproachful
solemnity, Eyes, better actually than st.
Joseph himself! And OF course one is
punished for such thing. / always
knew my master would die young-he
was too gentle as baby. and too kind
hearted as man, to stay here long,"
And she would shake her gray head
and feel for the beads OF her rosary, and
mutter many an Ave for the repose OF
nv soul. Much as ! wished II could
never get her to talk about her mistress
it was the one subject Oh which she
was invariably silent. On one occasion
when spoke with apparent enthusiasm
Of the beauty and accomplishments OF
the young Countess, she glanced
at me with sadden and earn
est scrunity-sighed-bu said nothing.
| was glad to see how Thoroughly
devoted she was to Stella,
and the child returned her affection with
interest-and though as the November
days came on apace, my little one looked
far from strong. She paled and grew
thin, her eyes looked preternaturaliy
large and solemn, and she was very
easily wcaried. | called Assunta's atten-
ton to these signs OF i'll health; she re-
pliod that she had spoken to the Countess
but that MADAME" had taken no notice
OF the child's weakly condition. After
wards l mentioned the matter myselI 10
Nina, who merely smiled gratefully In
my face and answered,
REALLY, my dear Conte, you are TOO
good! There Is nothing the matter win
Stella, her health is excellent; she eats
too many bonbons perhaps, and is grow
ing rather fast, that is all. HOW KIM
you are to think Of her. But. assure
you, she is quite we'll"
did not feel so sure OF this-yet
was Obliged to conceal my anxiety, as
over-much concern about the child
would not have been in keeping with my
assumed character.
1t was Il little past the middle OF NO
vember, when a circumstance occurred
that gave impetus to my plan, and hur-
ried them to full fruition. The days were
growing chilly and sad even in Naples
yachting excursions were over. ana
was beginning to organize few dinners
and balls for the approaching winter
season, when one afternoon Ferrarl en-
tered my room unannounced and threw
himself into the nearest chair with an
impatient exclamation, and "a vexed ex-
preston Of countenance.
"What is the matter?" / asked care
lessly, as 1 caught q furtive glance OF
his eyes Anything financial? Pray
draw upon me! will be most accom-
modating banker!"
He smiled uneasily though gratefully.
Thanks, Conte-but IL is nothing oil
that sort, 1t is-gran Dio! what an I'M
lucky wretch ami"
II hope" and here l put on an ex-
preston Of the deepest anxiety, ii hope
the pretty Contessa has not played you
false? she has refused to marry You?
He laughed with a disdainful triumph