Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-01-17

And do not Englishmen tire? Have they
no secret ennui at times when sitting in
the chimney nook of "home, sweet
home" with their fat wives and ever
spreading families? Truly, yes! But
they are too cautious to say so.
need not relate the story Of my court
ship-it was brief and sweet as song
sung perfectly. There were no obstacles.
The girl sought was the only daughter
of ruined Florentine noble of dissolute
character, who gained bare subsistence
by frequenting the gaming tables. His
child had been brought up in convent
renowned for strict discipline-she knew
nothing of the world. She was, he as
sured me with maudlin tears in his eyes,
''as innocent Us flower on the altar OF
the Madonna. - / believed him-for what
could this lovely, youthful, low-voiced
maiden know of even the shadow OF
evil? l was eager to gather so fair
q lily for my own proud wearing-and
her father gladly gave her to me,
no doubt inwardly congratulating him
self on the wealthy match that had
fallen to the lot OF his dowerless daugh-
ter.
We were married at the end OF June,
and Guido Ferrari graced our bridal
with his handsome and gallant presence.
"By the body of Bacchus!" he ex-
claimed to me when the nuptial cere-
mony was over, 'Thou hast profited by
my teaching, Fabio! A quiet rogue is Oft
EN- most cunning! Thou hast rifled the
casket of Venus, and stolen her fairest
jewel-thou hast secured the loveliest
maiden in the two Sicilies!'
l pressed his hand, and touch OF re-
morse stole over me, for he was no longer
first in my affection. Almost regretted
it-yes, ON my very wedding-morn /
looked back to the old days-Old now
though so recent--andlsighed tothink they
were ended. 1 glanced at Nina, my wife.
1t was enough! Her beauty dazzled and
overcame me. The melting languor OF
her large limpid eyes stole into my
veins,-I forgot all but her. l was in
that high delirium Of passion in which
love. and love only, seems the keynote
of creation. ! touched the topmost
peak Of the height Of joy-the days were
feasts Of fairyland, the nights dreams
of rapture! No; / never tired! My
wife's beauty never palled upon me: she
grew rairer with eacn day or possession.
/ never saw her otherwise than attract
i've, and within few months she had
probed all the depths Of my nature. She
discovered how certain sweet looks OF
hers could draw me to her side, willing
and devoted slave; she measured my
weakness with her own power; she
did she not know! l tor
ture myself with these foolish memories.
All men past the age of twenty have
learned somewhat Of the tricks OF wo-
mantle pretty, playful nothings that
weaken the will and sap the force OF
the strongest hero. She loved me? Oh,
YES, suppose so! Looking back on those
days can frankly say believe she
loved meas nine hundred wives out OF
q thousand love their husbands, namely
for what they can get. And grudged
her nothing. II chose to idealise her,
and raise her to the stature Of an angel
when she was but on the low level Of
mere w0manhoOd, that was my folly, not
her fault.
We kept open house. Our villa
was q place Of rendezvous for the
leading members Of the best so
ciety in and around Naples. Ny
wife was universally admired; her
lovely face and graceful manners were
themes Of conversation throughout the
whole neighborh0od. Guido Ferrari,
my friend, was one Of those who were
loudest in her praise, and the chivalrous
homage he displayed towards her doubly
endeared him to me. trusted him as .
brother; he came and went as pleased
him; he brought Nina gifts Of flowers
and fanciful trifies adapted TO her taste,
and treated her with fraternal and deli |
,ate kindness. deemed my happiness
love, wealth and friend |
ship, what more could man desire?
Yet another drop Of honey was added
10 my cup OF sweetness. On the first
Of May, 1882. our child was
oorn-a girl babe, fair as one OF the
white anemones which at that season
yrew thickiy in the woods surrounding |
Iur home. They brought the little one
% me in the shaded verandah where
sat at breakfast with Guido-a tiny,
almost shapeless bundle, wrapped In soft |
cashmere and old lace. took the frag- |
lie thing In my arms with q tender rev. |
srence; It opened is eyes; they were |
arge and dark like Nlna's, and the light |
" . recent heaven seemed still 70 lingeF
n their pure depthA ! kissed the little |
ACE: Guido did the same: and those