The Iola register., 1891-07-10
He intimated as much

l
Twas silent MY brain was confused
Il found it diffiult to meet with and con
front such treachery as this What
Had she no conscience? Were all the
passionate embraces, the lingering
kisses, the vows of fidelity, and words oi
| caressing endearment as nought? Were
they all blotted from her memory as the
writing on a slate is wiped out by {
sponge? Almost 1 pitied Guido. Hi
fate, ia her hands was evidently TO bt
the same as mine had been; yet after all
why should be surprised? Why should
l pity? Had not calculated 1t alp And
was it not part of my vengeance?
Tell mel pursued my wife's dulcei
| voice, breaking in upon my reflections
ibid you really imagine Signor Ferrarf:
suit might meet with favor at my
| hands?''
Imust speak--the comedy had to be
played out So answered biuntly-
Madame, certainly did think so. II
| seemed a natural conclusion tc draw
| from the course of events He is young,
| undeniably handsome, and on his uncle's
death will be fairly wealthy,-whatm more
could you desire? besides he was youI
husbands friend"
"And for that reason would never
marry himr' she interrupted me with 9
decided gesture. "Even If / liked his
sufficiently, which do not toh, miser.
able traitressl, would not run the risk
of what the world would say of such Q
marriage"
show, Madame? Pardon me if fai
to comprehend you"
hn
In a coaxing voice as of one that begged
to be believed, ''if l were TO marry one
that was known to have been my hus-
bands most intimate friend, society il
so wicked,-people would be sure to say
that there had been something between
us before my husbands death-I know
they would, and l could not endure sucl
slanderl"
Murder will OUT they say! Here
was guilt partially declaring itself. A
perfectly innocent woman could not
foresee so readily the condemnation OF
society. Not having the knowledge OF
evil she would be unable to calculate
consequences. The over-prudish woman
betrays herself; the fine lady who virtu-
ously shudders at the sight of a nude
statue or picture, announces at once to
all whom it may concern, that there is
something far coarser in the suggestions
of her own mind than the work of art
she condemns Absolute purity has no
fear of social SANDER; it knows its own
value, and that it must conquer in the
end. My wife-alas! that l should
call her So-waS innately vicious and
false; yet how particular she was in heI
efforts to secure the blind worlds good
opinion Poor old world! how ex.
quisitely it is fooled, and how gooG
naturedly it accepts its fooling. But
had to answer the fair liar, whose net of
graceful decepal luS was now spread to en-
trap me; therefore | said with an effort al
courtesy
mo one would dare to SANDER you,
ContesSa, in my presence" She bowed
and smiled prettily. But" l went on:
''if it is true that you have no liking for
Signor Ferrari-"
''It is true!" she exclaimed with sud.
den euphasiS HE Is rough and III
hammered; have seen him the worse
for wine; sometimes he is insufferable.
I am afraid Of him!"
l glanced at her quietly. Her face
had paled, and her hands, which were
busted with some silken embroidery,
trembled little.
"In that case" I continued slowly,
'though l am sorry for Ferrari. poor
fellow! he will be immensely disappoint-
ed. confess l am glad in other re-
Spects, because
because what?" she demanded eag-
erly.
"Why,"I answered. feigning a little
embarrassment, because there will be
more chance for other men who may
seek to possess the hand of the accom-
plished and beautiful ContesSa Romani."
She shook her fair head slightly. A
transient expression of disappointment
passed over her features.
The other men you speak of, Conte,
are not likely to indulge in sucN an am
bition," she said, with a faint sigh;
"more especially" and her eyes flashed
indignantly, ''since Signor Ferrari
thinks it his duty to mount guard over
me. suppose he wishes to keep me for
himself-a most impertinent and foolish
notion! There is only one thing to do
l shall leave Naples before he returns"
"Why?" l asked.
She flushed deeply. ~ wish to avoid
him." she said after a little pause; Il
tell you frankly, he has lately given me
much cause for ANNOYANCE. l will not
be prosecuted by his attentions; ana as I
before said to you, l am often afraid Of
him Under your protection l know
am quite safe, but Icannot always enjoy
The moment had come. l advanced a
step or two.
why not?" 1 said. at rests entirely
with yourself"
She started and half rose from her
chair,-her work dropped from her
hands.
What do you mean, Conte?' she fall
tered half timidly, yet anxiously; Il do
not understandT'
Il mean what say" 1 continued in
cool hard tones, and STOPPING, picked
up her work and restored it
to her; "but pray do not excite
yourself. You say you cannot
always enjoy my protection; it seems TO
me that you can-by becoming my wife"
''Conte!" she stammered. / held up
my hand as sign TO her TO be silent
II am perfectly aware" went on in
buSinesS-like accents. 'of the disparity
in years that exists between u.s. l have
neither youth, health nor good looks to
recommend me to you. Trouble and
bitter disappointment have made me
what l am. But have wealth which
is almost IneXhaustible-I have position
and infuence-and besides these things"
ana here ! locked at her steadily, Il
nave an ardent desire 10 do Justice 10
your admirable qualities, and to give
you all you deserve. If you think you
could be happy with me, speak frankly,
i cannot offer you the passionate
alteration Of young man-my blood is
cold and ny pulses slow-but what can
do l will"