Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-07-11
The Story Of One Forgotten
BY MARIE CoRELLI
CHAPTER XXI.

SSIA that / kissed hcI
passionately on lips, throat and brow,
and that In the fervour Of my embraces
the thought Of what manner OF vile
thing she was came swiftly upon me,
causing me to release her with such sud-
denness that she caught at the back of q
chair to save herself from falling. Her
breath came and went In little quick
gasps Of excitement, her face was flushed
-she looked astonished, yet certainly
not dlspleased. No, she was not angry,
but ! was-thoroughly annoycd-bit-
terly vexed with myself, for being such
fool.
Forgive me-" / muttered. II for
got-I.. -"
A little smile stole round the corners
Of her mouth. "You are fully pardon
ed!'' she said In low voice, ''You need
not apologize"
Her smile deepened; suddenly shc
broke into ripping laugh, sweet and
silvery as bella laugh that went
throuph me like knife. Was 1t not the
self-same laughter that had pierced my
brain the night witnessed her anorous
interview with Guido in the avenue?
Had not the cruel mOckery of 1t nearly
driven me mad? could not endure 1t,
sprang to her side, she ceased laughing
and looked at me in wide-eyed wonder
ment.
'Listen!" said In an impatient, al
most fierce tone. ''DO not laugh like
thatl 1t jars my nerves, 1t hurts me!
will tell you why. Once, long ago, in
Il lnuaI Che
not like YOU, no, for she was false.
False to the very hearts core, false in
every word she uttered. You un-
derstand me she resembled you In
nothing-nothing! But she used to
laugh at me--she trampled on my life
and spoilt it-she broke my heart! 1t Is
all past now. / never think OF her, only
your laughter reminded me-therc."
And took her hands and kissed them.
81 have told you the story Of my early
folly-forget ii and forgive me! 1t is
time you prepared for your journey, is it
not? II can be Of service to you, CON-
mand me-you know where to send for
me. Goodbye! and-the peace Of pure
Conscience be with vop."
And laid my burning hand on her
head weighted with its clustering curls
of gold. She thought this gesture was
one Of blessing, thought . God only |
knows what ] thought-yet surely II
curses can be so bestowed, my curse
crowned her at that moment! / dared |
not trust myself longer in her presence,
and without another word or look left
her and hurried from the house.
49,, 81 ,uao otorklad aud NJ fha N,
time gratifed TO think she could thus
have moved me to any display OF emo
ton; but / would not even turn my
head to catch her parting glance.
could not; / was sick Of myself and of
her. / was literally torn asunder be-
tween love and hatred-love born basely
Of material feeling alone; hatred, the
offspring OF deeply injured spirit for
whose wrong there could scarce be found
sufficient remedy. Once out OF the In
6uence OF her bewildering beauty my
mind grew calmer, and tho drive back TO
the hotel In my carriage through the
sweet chillness OF the December dir
qnieted the foverish excitement Of my
blood and restored me to mYfclf. 1t
was most lovely daY-bright and fresh,
with the SAVIOR Of the sea in the wind.
The waters of the bay were OF steel
like blue shading into deep olive-green.
and soft haze fingered about
the shores OF Amaliia like veil OF gray
shot through with silver and gold.
Down the streets went women in pictur.
esQue garb carrying on their heads bask
cts full to the brim Of purple violets
that scented the air as they passed,
children ragged and dirty ran along,
pushing the luxuriant tangle OF their
dark locks away from their beautiful
wild antelope eyes, and holding up
punches Of roses and narcissi with smiles
~ brilliant IS the very sunshine implor-
ed the passengers to buy 'f0r the sake
Of the little Gcsu who was soon CON-
Ingl"
Bells clashed and changed from the
churches in honour Of San TOmmaso,
whose festival it was, and the city had
that aspect Of gala gaiety about 1t which
d in truth common enough to all Conti-
mental towns, but which seems strange
70 the solemn Londoner who sees so
much apparently reasonless merriment
Tor the first time. He, accustomed TO
have his reluctant laughter pumped out
If him by an occasional visit 70 the
theatre where he can witness the
I'original" English translation Of o
French farce, can not understand why
these foolish Neapolitans should laugh
Ind sing and shout in the manner
hey do merely because they
IRE glad to be alive. And after much
dubious consideration, he decides within
himself that they are all rascals-the
scum Of the earth-and that he aud he
only Is the true representative Of man at
his best-the model Of civilized respecta-
DIlity. And q mournful spectacle he thus
seems TO the eyes OF MS 'base" foreigners
lin our hearts We are sorry Tor him ana
.elleve that II he could manage to shake
81 the letters Of his insular customs and
he might almost succeed In
lnjoying life as much as we dol
As 1 drove along saw small crowd
It one Of the street Corners gesticu-
atlnO lauOhinQ crowd listening To An ,