The Iola register., 1891-02-06

d1Scovereu now certain sweet looks OF
hers could draw me to her side, willing
and devoted slave; she measured my
weakness with her own power: she
knew-what did she not know, | tor
ture myself with these foolish memories.
All men past the age of twenty have
learned somewhat of the tricks of wo-
men-the pretty, playful nothings that
weaken the will and sap the force of
the strongest hero. She loved me? Oh.
yes, I'Supp1Se so! Looking back on those
days | can frankly say | believe she
loved meas nine hundred wives out of
a thousand love their husbands, namely
for what they can get. And grudged
her nothing. If | chose to idealiSe her,
and raise her to the stature of an angel
when she was but On the low level of
mere womanhood, that was my folly, not
her fault.
We kept open house. Our Villa
was "a place of rendezvous for the
leading members of the best So
ciety in and around Naples. Ny
wife was universally admired; her
lovely face and graceful manners were
themes of conversation throughout the
whole neighborhood. Guido Ferrari,
my friend. was one of those who were
lOudcst I'm her praise, and the chivalrOus
homage he displayed towards her dOubly
cndearcd him To me. / trusted him as a
brother: he came and went as pleased
him: he brought Nina gifts of flowers
and fanciful trifles adapted to her taste,
and treated her with fraternal and deli
cate kindness. l deemed my happiness
perfect-with love, wealth and friend
ship, what more could man desire?
Yet another drop of honey was added
to my cup of sweetness. On the first
morning of May, 1882, our child was
bOrn-a girl babe, fair as one of the
white anemones which at that season
grew thickiy in the woods surrounding
our home. They brought the little one
to me in the shaded verandah where ]
sat at breakfast with GuidO-a tiny,
almost shapeless bundle, wrapped in soft
cashmere and old lace. took the frag-
lie sling in my arms with tender rev.
crencc; it opened its eyes; they were
large and dark like Nina's. and the light
or q recent heaven seemed still TO nnger
in their pure depths. | kissed the little
face; Guido did the same; and those
clear, quiet eyes regarded us both with
a strange, half-inquiring sOlemnity. A
bird perched on a bOugh of jeSsamine
broke into a. low sweet song, the soft
wind blew and scattered the petals of a
white rose at our feet. | gave the in
fant hack to the nurse, who waited to
receive it, and said with a smile, ''Tell
my wife we have welcomed her May
blossom"
Guido laid his hand on my shoulder as
the servant retired; his face was unu-
sually pale.
''Thou art a good fellow, Fabio." he
aid abruptly.
Indeed, How sop / asked, half
81 am no better than other
men,"
You are less suspicious than the ma
jority," he returned, turning away from
me and playing idly with spray of Gle
mats that trailed on one of the pillars OF
the verandah.
| glanced at him in surprise. "What |
do you mean, AMIGO? Have reason to
suspect anyOne?'
He laughed, and resumed his seat at
the breakfaSt-table.
''Why. no." he answered with frank |
ook. but in Naples the air is preg- |
nant with suspiciOn-jealousy's dagger |
IS ever ready to strike, justly or unjust.
y-the very children are learned in the |
ways of vice. PenitentS confess to |
priests who are worse than penitents, |
md by Heaven! in such state of So
,iety, where conjugal fidelity is farce"
he paused moment, and then went !
ln-"iS it not wonderful to know a man
ike you, Fabio? A man happy in home
affections, without cloud On the sky of
MS cOnfdence?"
Il have no cause for distrust," said.
Nina is as innocent as the little child
Of whom she is today the mother"
True exclaimed Ferrari. "Per-
'ectly true," and he looked me full in
he eyes with 4 smile "White as the
virgin snow on the summit of Mont
than the flawless dia-
nond, unapproachable as the fur
hest star! Is it not so?'
l assented with certain gravity;
in his manner puzzled me.
Dur conversation soon turned on diff.
'erent topics, and thought no more OF
he matter. But time came, and that
l had stern reason to ,
every word he had uttered.
no Cnutinuad