Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-05-02

HyH robes she wore, tn
long Grape veil thrown back from he
clustering hair and mignonne face, al
the sombre shadows of her mourning
garb only served to heighten and display
her beauty to greater advantage. A fail
widow truly! /, her lately deceased hus
band, freely admitted the magnetic
power OF her charms! She paused for ar
instant on the threshold, winning
smile on her lips; she looked at me, hest
tated, and finally spoke in courteous &c
cents
II think cannot be mistaken! Do
address the noble Count Cesare 0liva?'
tried to speak, but could not. My
mouth was dry and parched with excite
ment, my throat swclled and ached with
the pent-up wrath and despair OF emo
tions. l answered her question silently
by q formal bow. She at once advanced,
extending both her hands with the
c0aXing grace OF manner had so often
admired.
II am the Countess Romani," she said,
still smiling. II heard from Sign0r
Ferrari that you proposed visiting his
studio this afternoon, and l could not
resist tho temptation OF coming ~
express my personal acknowledgements
for the almost regal gift you sent me.
The jewels are really magnificent. Per-
init me to offer you my sincere thanks?'
l caught her outstretched hands and
wrung them hard,-so hard that the
rings she wore must have dug into her
flesh and hurt her, thought she was too
well-bred to utter any exclamation. l
had fully recovered myself, and was pre-
pared 10 act out my part
ION the contrary, Madame" "
said in strong harsh
voice, "the thanks must come entirely
from me, for the honour you have con-
ferred upon me by accepting tribes so
nsigniiicant-especially at time when
the cold brilliancy of mere diamonds must
jar upon the sensitive feelings OF your
recent widowhood. Believe mo, SYM
pathize deeply with your bereavement!
Had youi husband lived, the jewels
would have been his gift to you, and how
much more acceptable they would then
have appeared in your eyes! / am proud
to think you have condescended so far as
to receive them from so unworthy hand
as mine"
As spoke her face paled,-she seemed
startled, and regarded me earnestly.
Sheltered behind my smoked spectacles,
l met the gaze Of her large dark eyes
without embarrassment. Slowly she
withdrew her slight fingers from my
clasp. placed an easy-chair for her;
she sank softly into it with her old air
of INDECENT ease, the ease OF spoilt en-
press or sultan's favourite, while she
still continued to look up at me thought
fully. Ferrari, meanwhile, busted him
self in bringing out more wine; he also
produced a dish Of fruit and some sweet
cakes, and while occupied in these duties
as our host he began to laugh.
''IIa, ha! you are caughtl' he ex-
claimed to me gaily. ''You must know
we planned this together, Madame and
/. Just to take you by surprise. There
was no knowing when you would be per-
suaded TO visit the C0ntessa, and she
could not rest till she had thanked you,
so we arranged this meeting. Could
anything be better? Come, Conte, con-
fess that you are charmed!'
''0f course ami" answered with
a slight touch of satire In my tone.
"WhO would not be charmed in the
OF such youth and beauty!
And am also flattered-for know what
exceptional favour the Contessa Romani
extends toward m, in allowing me to
make her acquaintance at time which
must naturally be for her q secluded
season OF sorrow"
At these words my wife's face suddenly
assumed an expression OF wistful sadness
and appealing gentleness.
"Ah, poor unfortunate Fabio," she
sighed. "HOw terrible 1t seems that he
Is not here to greet youl How gladly he
would have welcomed any friend of his
adored his father, poor
fellOwl / cannot realize that he Is dead.
1t was too sudden, too dreadful! do
not think shall ever recover the shock
Of his loss!"
And her eyes actually filed with tears;
though the fact did not surprise me In
the least, for many women can weep at
will. Very little practice is necessary
and we men are such fools, we never
know how It is done; we take all the
pretty feigned plteousness for real grief,