San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-30


further.
81 cannot tell, Madame" / answered
her. II know so little Of your charming
sex that need to be instructed. But
instlnctively feel that you must be right,
whatever you say. Your eyes would
convert an infidel!"
Again she looked at me with one
OF those wonderfully brilliant, seductive,
her leave.
San angels visit truly" said lightly;
''sweet, but brief"
"We shall meet tomorrow, she re-
piled smiling. Il consider | have
your promse you must not fail me!
Come as early as you like in the afte--
noon, then you will see my little girl
Stella. She is very like poor Fabio. Till
tomorrow, adieu!"
She extended her hand. / raised it to
my lips. She smiled as she withdrew it,
and looking at me, or rather at the
glasses l wore, she inquired
'You suffer with your eyes"
"Ah, Madame, terrible infrmity! l
cannot endure the light. But l should
not complaint is a weakness common
to age"
you do not seem to be DID," she said,
thoughtfully. With woman's quick
eve she had noted, l suppose, the I'M
wrinkled smOothness of my skin, which
no Disguise could alter. But l ex-
claimed with affected surprise
Not old! With these white hairS!"
"Many young men have them" she
said. ''At any rate they often accom-
pany middle age, or what is called the
prime of life. And really, il your case,
thew are very becomingw
And with a courteous gesture OF fare
well she moved to leave the room.
Both Ferrari and myself fastened TO eS-
cort her downstairs to her carriage,
which stood in waiting at the door-the
very carriage and pair of chestnut ponies
which | myself had given her as birth
day present. Ferrari offered to assist her
in mounting the step of the vehicles; she
put his arm aside with a light testing
word and accepted mine instead. l
helped her in, aud arranged her en-
brOidered wraps about her feet, and she
nodded gaily to us both as we stood bare
headed in the afternoon sunlight watch
ing her departure. The horses started
at brisk Canter, and in a couple OF
minutes the dainty equipage was out of
sight. When nothing more of ii could
be seen than the cloud of dust stirred up
by its rolling wheels, turned to look at
my companion. His face was stern, and
his browS were drawn together in
frown. Stung already! / thought
Already the little asp OF jealousy
commenced its bitter work! The trifiing
favour his light-o'love and my wife had
extended to me Mn choosing my arm
instead OF his as momentary support,
had evidently been sufficient to pique
his pride. God! what blind bats men
are! With all their high capabilities
and immortal destinies, with all the
world before them to conquer. they can
sink unnerved and beaten down to i'm
potent weakness before the sighting
word or insolent gesture of frivolous
feminine creature, whose best devotions
are paid to the mirror that reflects her
in the most becoming light! How easy
would be my vengeance, l mused, as /
watched Ferrari. | touched him on the
Shoulder; he started from his uncomfort-
able reyerie and forced a smile. l held
out cigar case.
What are you dreaming off" asked
him neutrality-suspicious. as she waited on
the gods, or Venus as she rose in bare
beauty from the waves? Either, neither,
or both? l assure you comfortable
smoke is as pleasant in its way as the
smile of wOmon."
He took cigar and lit it, but made no
answer.
"You are dull, my friend, continued
gaily, hooking my arm through his and
pacing him up and down on the turf in
M hAN
should be sharpened by the glance of a
bright eye; how comes it that the edge
of your converse seems blunted? Per-
haps your feelings are too deep for wordsP
II 80, do not wonder at it, for the lady
is extremely lovely"
He glanced quickly at me.
"Did not say SOP" he exclaimed. ''Of
all creatures under heaven she is surely
the most perfect! Even you, Conte, with
your cynical ideas about women-even
you were quite subdued and influenced
by her; could see it,"
l pulled slowly at my cigar and pre-
tended to mediate.
"Was I?' l said at last, with an air of
well-acted surprise. Really subdued
and Influenced? do not think so. But
l admit have never seen any woman so
entirely beautiful"
He stopped in his walk, loosened his
arm from mine, and regarded me fixedly.
Il told you So" he said deliberately.
"You must remember that told you so.
And now, perhaps, l ought to warn
you"
"Warn mel" l exclaimed in feigned
alarm. ''Of what-against whoms
Surely not the Contessa ROmani, to
whom you were so anxious to introduce
me? She has no illness, no infectious
disorder? She is not dangerous to life
or limb, is she?''
Ferrari laughed at the anxiety l dis !
played for my own bodily Safety-an ]