Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-10-03

LAUNDERING profoundly, the unbrushed
overcoat by his side. Poor fellowl !
smiled rs watched him; the faithful
dog was chained, and could not follow
my steps for that night ut leass
I left him thus, and wrapping myself
in Q thick Almaviva that mufiied me al-
most to the eyes. hurried out. fortu-
nately meeting no one on my
way-out into the storm and
darkness, towards the Campo Santo.
the abode Of the all-wise though
speechless Dead. had work TO do
there-work that must be done. knew
that II I had not taken tho precaution
OF dragging my too devoted servitor, he
might, despite his protestations, have
been tempted to track me whittier l
went. As Il was, felt myself safe, FOR
four hours must pass, knew. before
Vincenzo could awake from his lethargy.
And was absent for some time.
Though performed my task as quick
ly as might be, It took me longer than
thought, and filled me with more loath-
Ing and reluctance than / had deemed
possible 1t was q gruesome, CHASTITY
piece Of work-a work OF preparation,
and when / had finished II entirely TO my
satisfaction, l felt rs though the bony
fingers OF death itself had been plunged
deep into my very marrow. shivered
with cold, my limbs would scarce bear
me upright, and my teeth chartered as
though were seized by strong ague.
But the fxity Of my purpose
strengthened me till all was done
till the stage was set for the last scene
Of the tragedy. Or comedy? What
you will. know that In the
world nowadays, You make husbands
dishonour more OF whispered jest than
anything else-you and your heavy ma
chlnery OF the law. But to mel am SO
strangely observation-disclosures Is Dit
terer evil than death. II oil those who
are deceived and betrayed felt thus, then
Justice would need to become more just
It is fortunate for the lawyers
that we are not all honour
able men!
When returned from my dreary walk
in the driving storm / found Vincenzo
still fast asleep. was glad Of this, for
had he seen me in the plight l was, no
would have had good reason to be
alarmed concerning both my physicical
and mental condition. Perceiving my
self in the glass, I recoiled as from an
image of horror. saw man with
haunted, hungry eyes cleaning out from
under q mass OF disordered white hair,
his pale, haggard face set and stern
as the face Of q merciless inquisitor OF
old Spain, his dark cloak dripping with
glittering rain drops, his hands ana
nails stained as though he had dug them
into the black earth, his boots heavy
with mlre and clay, his whole aspect
that of one who had been engaged In
some abhorrent deed too repulsive to be
named. stared at my own refectlon
thus and shuddered; then / laughed
softly with sort OF fierce enjoyment.
Quickly threw of all nv soiled habili-
ments and locked them out OF sight, and
arraying myself in dressing gown and
slippers, glanced ut the time. 1t was
haif-past one-already the morning Of
nv bridal. / had been absent three
hours and a half. went into my salon
and remained there writing. A few
minutes after two o'clock had struck the
door opened noiselessly, and Vincenzo,
looking still very sleepy, appeared with
an expression OF lnQulTlnB dhA'o.1'
smiled drowsily, and seemed relieved 70
see me sitting quietly in my accustomed
place at the writing table. / surveyed
him with an air Of affected surprise.
"Ebbene, Vincenzo! What has be-
come OF you all this while?"
'Ecceilenza," he stammered, ut was
the Lacrima;-I am not used to wine!
| have been asleep"
laughed, pretended to stifie o yawn
on my own account, and rose from my
easylchair.
"Veramente." said lightly, $50 have
I, very nearly. Aud II would appear
as gay bridegroom, 1t Is time went 70
bed. Buona notte."
"Buonaenotte, signore-"
And we severally retired to rest, he
satisfied thot II had been In my own
room all the evening, and l, thinking
with 9 savage Joy OF my heart OF what
had prepared out there in the darkness
with no witnesses Of my work save Inc
whirlIng wind and rain.
TO BE CONTINUED.