Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-05-23


said composedly. ma certament! And
why not? 1t is as 1t should
be. Even the late Conte coulG
wish no fairer fate for his lovely
widow than that she should become the
wife OF his chosen friend. Permit me Il
drink your health Success to your
lover. And drained my glass as
finished speaking. Unfortunate fool
He was completely disarmed; his suspic.
ions OF mo melted away like mist before
the morning light His face cleared
he seized my hand and pressed II
warmly.
Forgive me, Contc," he said with re-
morseful fervour; IL fear / have been
rude and unsociable. Your kind words
have put me right again. You will think
me JEALOUS mailman, but l really
fancicd that you were beginning to feel
an attraction for her yourself. and actu-
ally,-(pardon me, freely entrcat OF
your actually was making up my mind
to-tu kill you!"
laughed quietly. "Veremcntc! How
very amiable OF you'll 1t was good in
tention, but you know what place is
paved with similar designs?"
"Ah. Conte. It is like your generosity
to take my confession so lightly; but l
assure you, for the last hour have been
absolutely wretchcd"
after the fashion of all lovers,
suppose" misunderstanding your
self without necessity! Well, well, II is
very amusing. My young friend, when
you come to my time Of life, you will pre-
fer the chink OF gold TO the laughter
and kisses of women. How often must
] repeat to you that am man aoso-
lutely indifferent to the tender passion?
Believe 1t or not, IL is true"
lie drank of his wine Mt one gulp and
spoke with some excitement
"Then will frankly coniidc in you.
do love the Contcssa. Love! IL is too
weak q word TO describe what feel.
The touch OF her hand thrills me, her
very voice seems to shake my soul. her
eyes burn through me. All! you cannot
know-you could not understand the joy,
the pain.
Calm YOURSELF" said in a cool tone,
ton betrayed itself. "The great thing
is TO keep the head cool when the blood
burns. You think she loves you?"
'Think! Gran Dio! She has" here
he paused end his face flushed deeply
may. ! have no right TO say anything
on that score. know she never cared
for her husband"
IL know that toor' answered stead
lily. The most casual observer cannot
fail to notice it."
swell, and no wonder!" no exclaimed
warmly. He was such an undemonstra-
tive fool! What business had such u
fellow as that to marry so exquisite u
creature.
My heart leaped with sudden i'm
pulse Of fury, but controlled my voice
and answered calmly
"ReQuiescat in pace! He is dead-let
him rest. Whatever his faults, his wife
Of course was true to him while he
lived: she considered him worthy of
tideity-is it not so?"
He lowered his eyes as he replied in
an indistinct tone,
"Oh, certainly"
"And yOu-you were most loyal and
faithful friend to him, in spite Of the
tempting bright eyes Of his lady?'
Again he answered huskily-"Why, OF
course!" But the shapely hand that
rested on the table so near TO mine,
tremblcd.
We'll, them" l continued quietly,
"thc love you bear now TO his fair wild
ow is, imagine, preciSely what he
would approve. Being, as You say, per-
fectly pure and blameless, what can l
wish otherwise than this-may it meet
with the reward it deserves!"
While spoke he moved uneasily in
his chair, and his eyes roved to nv faith
er's picture with restless annoyance. |
suppose he saw in it the likeness to his
dead friend. After moment or two OF
silence he turned TO me with forced
smile
"And so you really entertain no ad-
miration for the Contessa?"
''Oh, pardon me, do en-
terrain a very strong admira-
tion for her, but not of the kind you seem
to suspect. II it will please you, can
guarantee that shall never make love
to the lady unless"
"Unlcss what?" he asked eagerly.
SUNLESS she happens to make love to
me, In which case 1t would be ungallant
not to reciprocate!"
And laughed harshly. He stared at
me in blank surprise. ''She make love
to you!" he exclaimed. "You jest. She
would never do such thing"
''Of conrse not" l answered, rising
and clapping him heavily on the Shout
der. "Women never court men, II Is
quite unheard Of; reverse Of the order
OF naturel You are perfectly safe, my
friend; you will certainly win the rec
ompense you so richly merit Come, let
us go and drink coffee with the fair
one"
And arm in arm we sauntered out TO
the verandah in the most friendly way
possible. Ferrari was completely re-
stored to good humor, and Nina,
thought, was rather glad to see it She
was evidently afraid Of Ferrari. q good
point for Inc to remember. She smiled
welcome to US as we approached, and
began to pour out the fragrant coffee. 1t