The Iola register., 1891-05-08
"And In what country have you found

"And In wnat country nave you 10uno
the most beautiful women?"
"Psrdon me, young SIR" ] answered
coldly, "the business of life has seper-
ated me almost entirelyfrom feminine So
ciety. have devoted myself exclusively
to the amassing of wealth, understand.
ing thoroughly that gold is the key to all
things, even to womon's love,-if / de-
sired that latter commodity, which 1 do
not,-I fear that scarcely know fair
face from plain one,-I never was at
tracted by women, and now at my
age. with my settled habits /
am not likely to alter my opinions con-
cerning them,-and / frankly confess
those opinions are the reverse Of favour
able"
Ferrari laughed. "You remind me
of Fabiol" he said. He used to talk
in that strain before he was married.
though he was young and had none Of
the experiences which may have made
You cynical, Conte! But he altered his
ideas very rapidly-and no wonderl''
SIS his wife SO very lovely then?"
asked.
"Veryl Delicately, daintily beautiful.
But no doubt you will see her for your
self;-as friend of her late husbands
father, you will call upon her, will you
not?"
"Why should I?' l said gruffiy. Il
have no wish to meet herl Besides, an
inconsolable widow seldom cares to re-
ceive visitors-I shall not intrude upon
her sorrows!'
Never was there better move than
this show of utter Indifference l af-
fected. The less l appeared to care
about seeing the Countess Romani, the
more anxious Ferrari was to introduce
me-Qntroduce me! to my
wifel .)-and he set to work
preparing his own doom with assiduous
ardor.
"Oh, but you must see her!" he ex-
claimed eagerly. "She will receive you,
l am sure, as a special guest. Your age,
and your former acquaintance with her
late husbands family, will win from
her the utmost courtesy, believe me.
Besides she is not really incOnsolablel
:" He paused suddenly. We
have arrived at the entrance to my hotel.
l looked at him steadily.
''Not really inconsolable?" repeated
in tone of inquiry. Ferrari broke into
a forced laugh.
"Why nor he said. "What would
you? She is young and light-hearted,-
perfectly lovely and in the fulness of
youth and health. One cannot expect
her to weep long, especiallyfor man
she did not care for"
l ascended the hotel steps. pray,
come in!'' | said with an inviting move
ment of my hand, "You must take a
glass of wine before you leave. And so
. she did not care for him, you
say?"
Encouraged by my friendly invitation
and manner, Ferrari became more at his
ease than ever, and hooking his arm
through mine as we crossed through the
broad passage Of the hotel together, he
replied In a confidential TONE
= My dear COnte, how can woman
love q man who is forced upon her by
her father for the sake of the money he
gives her? As l told you before, my
late friend was utterly insensille to the
beauty Of his wife,-he was cold as a
stone, and preferred his books. Then
naturally she had 20 loye for him!'
BY this time we had reached my
apartments, and as ! threw open the
door l saw that Ferrari was taking in
with a critical eye the costly fittings and
luxurious furniture. In answer to his
last remark, / said with a chilly smile:
"And as / told you before, my dear
Signor Ferrari, know nothing what
ever about women, and care less than
nothing for their loves or hatreds. / have
always thought of them more or less as
playful kittens, who purr when they are
stroked the right way, and scream and
scratch when their tails are trodden on.
Try this Montepulciano!'
He accepted the glass | prOffered him,
and tasted the wine with the air of con-
noisseur.
"Exquisite!'' he murmured, slipping it
laZily. "You are lodged en- prince here,
COnte! envy your
"You need not" / answered. "You
have youth and health, and =.
as you have limited TO me,-love; all
these things are better than wealth, so
people say. At any rate youth and
health are good things,-love l have no
belief in. As for me, l am mere lux
urious animal, loving comfort and ease
beyond anything. l have had many
trials,-I now take my rest in my own
fashion"
"a very excellent and sensible fash
ion?" smiled Ferrari, leaning his head
back on the satin cushions of the easy
chair into which he had thrown him
self.
sDo you know. Conte, now I look at
you well, l. think you must have been
very handsome when You were young
You have a superb figure!"
bowed stifiy. You flatter me, Sig
6or! believe / never was specially hid.
eous,-but looks in a man always rank
second to strength, and of strength /
have plenty yet remaining"
81 do not doubt it," he returned, still
regarding me attentively with an ex-
preston in which there was the faintest
shadow of uneaSiness.
at is an odd coincidence, you will say,
but / find most extraordinary resem-
blance in the height and carriage of
your figure to that of my late friend
Romani."
l poured some wine out for myself
with steady hand and drank it.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Luce Was Tight.