Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-07-18


ular and melodIous murmur. Here, later
on, o band Of stringed instruments and
choir Of boys voices were 20 DO sta
toned, so that sweet music might be
heard and felt without the performers
being visible. One, and one only, OF the
long French windows OF the room was
left uncurtained, Il was simply draped
with velvet rs one drapes choice pic
ture. and through IL the eyes rested on
perfect view of the Bay Of Naples, white
with the wintry moonlight
The dinner table, laid for fifteen per-
sons, glittered with sumptuous appoint
ments Of silver, Venetian glass, and the
rarest flowers; the floor was carpeted
with velvet pile, In which some grains OF
ambergris had been scattered, so that In
walking the feet sank, as II were, into u
bed OF moss rich with the odors OF
thousand spring blossoms. The very
chairs wherein my guests were to seat
themselves were OF luxurious shape
and softly stuffed, so that one could lean
back In thom or recllno ut ease-in
short, everything was arranged with o
lavish splendor almost BETTING the
banquet OF an eastern monarch, and yet
with such accurate taste that there was
no detail one could have wished omitted.
Twas thoroughly satisfied, but as l
know what an unwise plan 1t Is TO
praise servants too highly for doing
we'll what they are expressly paid to do.
/ intimated my satisfaction to my land
lord by o mere careless nod and smile
Of approval. He, who waited on my
every gesture with abject humility, re-
ceived his sign Of condescenslon with as
much delight rs though 1t bad como from
the King himself, and ! could easily see
that the very fact OF my showing no en-
thusiasm ut the result OF his labors, made
him consider me Q creator man than
ever. / now went to my own apartments
TO don my evening attire; / found VIM
cenzo brushing every speck OF dust from
my dress-coat with careful nicety-he
had already arranged the other articles
Of costume neatly ON my bed ready for
wear. unlocked dressing-case and
took from thence three studs, each one
formed Of o single brilliant Of rare clear
ness and lustre, and handed them to him
to fix in my shirt-front- While he was
polishing these admiringly on his coat
sleeve watched him earnestly-then
suddenly. addressed him:
"Vincenzow He started.
"EccellenZa?"
''Tonight you will stand behind my
chair and assist In serving the wine"
"Yes, Eccelenza"
"You will" continued, "attend par
to Signor Ferrari, who will sit
Ut my right hand. Take care that his
glass is never empty"
Eyes, Eccelenza."
Whatever may be said or DONE" /
went on quietly, ''you will show no sign
of alarm or surprise. From the COM
Of dinner till l tell you to
move, remember your place Is fixed by
me-"
The honest fellow looked little
puzzled, but replied as before;
"Yes, Eccelenza"
Ismiled and, advancing, laid my hand
On his arm.
''How about the pistols, Vincenzo?"
''They are cleaned and ready for use"
he replied. ~ have placed
them in your cabinet"
THAT Is well!" / said with o satisfied
gesture. "You can leave me and ar
range the salon for the reception OF my
friends"
He disappeared, and I busted myself
With my toilette, about which was for
,nce unusually particular. The con-
dress suit is not very becom-
ing, yet there are Q few men here and
here who look well in 1t, and who, in
spite OF similarity in attire, will never
De mistaken for walters. Others there
ire who, passable in appearance when
lad in their ordinary garments, reach
The very acme Of plebeianism when they
.lothe themselves in the unaccommodat-
ing evening dress. Fortunately hap
pened to be one Of the former class-the
sober black. the broad white display OF
,tarched shirt front, and neat tie became
ne, almost too we'll, / thought It
would have been better for my purposes
4 / could have feigned an aspect Of
greater age and weightier gravity. /
had scarcely finished my toilette when
he rumbling Of wheels in the
outside made the hot blood
.ush to my face, and my heart
peat with feverish excitement left my
iressing-room, however, with COM
posed cOuntenance and calm step, and
,ntered my private salon just as its doors
we're flung open and "Signor Ferrari"
vas announced. He entered smiling
his face was alight with good humor and
ylad anticipation-he looked handsomer
han usual.