San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-06-01

utter astonishment. / observed their
surprise, and said lightly
81 told you how it would be! 1t is
nothing remarkable, assure you. All
dogs treat me in the same way"
And laid my hand on the animals
neck with commanding pressure; he
lay down at once, only now and then
raising his large wistful brown eyes to
my face as though he wondered what
had changed it so greatly. But no dis
guse could deceive his intelligence-the
faithful creature knew his master.
Meantime l thought Nina looked pale;
certainly the little jewelied white hand
nearest to me shook slightly.
care you afraid of this noble animal,
Madame?' l asked, watching her close
ly. She laughed little forcedly.
"Oh, no! But Wyvis is usually so shy
with strangers, and l never saw him
greet any one so rapturously except my
late husband. 1t is really very odd!"
Ferrari, by his looks, agreed with her,
and appeared to be uneasily considering
the circumstance.
Strange to- say" he remarked,
"Wyvis has for once forgotten me. He
never fails to give me passing snarl."
Hearing his voice the dog did indeed
commence growing discontentedly; but
a touch from me silenced him. The ami
mails declared enmity towards Ferrari
surprised melt was quite new thing.
as before my burial his behaviour to
him had been perfectly friendly
81 have had a great deal to do with
dogs in my time" 1 said, speaking in a
deliberately composed voice II have
found their instinct marvellous; they
generally seem to recognize at once the
persons who are fond of their society.
This Wyvis of yours, Contessa, has no
doubt discovered that | have had many
friends among his brethren, so there is
nothing strange in his making so much
of me-" IS
The air of studied indifference with
which l spoke, and the fact of my TAX
ing the exuberant delight of Wyvis as a
matter of course, gradually treasured
the plainly disturbed feelings of my
two betrayers, for after little
pause the incident was passed over,
and our conversation went on
with pleasant and satisfactory smooth
ness. Before my departure that even
ing, however, offered TO chain up the
dog-''as, if l do this" l added, 81
guarantee he will not disturb your
nights rest by his bowling"
This suggestion met with approval, and
Ferrari walked with me to show me where
the kennel stood. / chained Wyvis, and
stroked him tenderly; he appeared to
understand, and he accepted his fate
with perfect resignation, lying down
upon his bed of straw without sign of
opposition, save for one imploring look
out of his intelligent eyes as / turned
away and left him.
On making my adieux to Nina, firmly
refused Ferrari's offered cOmpaniOnship
in the walk back to my hotel.
81 am fond of solitary moonlight
stroll" | said. Permit me to have my
own way in the matter"
After some friendly argument they
yielded to my wishes. | babe them both
a civil ''good night" bending low over
my wife's hand and kissing it, coldly
enough, God knows, and yet the action
was sufficient to make her flush and
sparkle with pleasure. Then | left them,
Ferrari himself escorting me to the villa
gates, and watching me pass out on the
open road. As long as he stood there,
| walked with slow and medtative pace
toward the city, but the instant l
heard the gate clang heavily as it
closed, | hurried back with a eau
tious and noiseless step. Avoiding the
great entrance, l slipped round to the
western side of the grounds, where there
was close thiCket of laurel that extend
ed almost up to the verandah had just
left. Entering this, and bending the
boughs softly aside as l pushed my way
through, | gradually reached position
from whence | could see the verandah
plainly, and also hear anything that
passed. Guido was sitting on the low
chair had just vacated, leaning his
back against my wife's breast; he had
reached up one arm so that 1T encircled
her neck, and drew her head down
towards his. In this half embrace they
rested absolutely silent for some mo-
ments Suddenly Ferrqri spoke
'You are very cruel, Nina! You ac-
tually made me think you admired that
rich old COnte."
She laughed. $50 do! He would be
really handsome If he did not wear those
ugly spectacles. And his jewels are
lovely. wish he would give me some
more!"
"And supposing he were to do so,
would you care for him, NinaP" he de-
manded jealousy. ''Surely not Besides
YOU have no idea how conceited he Is.
He says he will never make love TO 8
woman, unless she first makes love to
him; what do you think of that?"
She laughed again, more merrily than
before.
''Thinkl Why, that he is very orig
inal-charmingly so! Are you coming
in, Guido?"
He rose, and standing erect, almost
lifted her from her chair and folded her
in his arms
''Yes, am coming in," he answered;
sIand will hnNa q hundred kisses for