Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-04-18

were upon him, he interrupted the mel
ody and turned TO me with the question,
"You have travelled FAR and seen much,
Contc?''
81 have"
Sand in what country have you found
the most beautiful women?"
Pardon me, young sir" / answered
coldly. 1.-THE business Of life has seper-
atcd me almost entirelyfrom feminine So
ciety. l have devoted myself exclusively
to the amassing of wealth, understand
ing thoroughly that gold is the key to oil
things, even to womon's love,-if l de-
sired that latter commodity, which do
not,--I fear that scarcely know a fair
face from plain one,-I never was at
tracted by women, and now ut my
age, with my settled habits 1
am not likely to alter my opinions con-
corning them,-and / frankly confess
those opinions are the reverse OF favour
able"
Ferrari laughed. "You remind me
OF Fabio!" 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 wonder!"
''Is his wife so very lovely then?"
asked.
Every! Delicately, daintily beautiful.
But no doubt you will see her for your
self;-as friend Of her late husbands
father, you vii! call upon her, will you
not?"
''Why should ~" l said gruffiy. 81
have no wish TO meet her! Besides, Ill
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 al
fected. The less l appeared to care
about seeing the Countess Romani, the
more anxious Ferrarl was to introduce
me-Gntroduce me! 70 my
wife! land he set to worE
preparing his own doom with assiduous
ardor.
"Oh, but you must see her!" he OK
claimed eagerly. ''She will receive you
/ am sure, as special guest. Your age
and your former acquaintance with hel
late husbands family, will win from
her the utmost courtesy, believe me
Besides she Is not really inconsola6le
:" He paused suddenly. W.
have arrived at the entrance to my hotel
l looked at him steadily.
'sNot really inconsolable?" repeated
in a tone of inquiry. Ferrari broke int
q forced laugh.
i L. hof
you? She is young and light-hearted.-
perfectly lovely and In the fulness o
youth and health. One cannot expec
her to weep long, especiallyfor Q mai
she did not care for"
I assembled the hotel steps. "Pray
come imp / said with an inviting move
ment Of my hand, "You must take
glass Of wine before you leave. And s.
she did not care for him, yo'
sayP"'
Encouraged by my friendly invitation
and manner, Ferrari became more 1t hi
ease than ever, and hooking his arm
through mine as we crossed through tn
broad passage OF the hotel together, b
replied in confidential Tone
mssMy dear Conte, how can a womal
love a man who is forced upon her b
her father for the sake of the money b
gives her? As / told you before, m
late friend was utterly insenslble to tn
beauty Of his wife,-he was cold as
stone, and preferred his books The
naturally she had no love for him"
BY this time we had reached m
APARTMENTS, and as / threw open. Oh
door saw that Ferrari was taking Il
with n critical eye the costly fittings an
luxurious furniture. In answer 70 hi
| last remark. Isald with . chilly smile;