Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-07-04
BY MARIE CoRELLI
CHAPTER Xxx.

system and depressed the splrlts' luz
careless and jovial temperament OF inc
people, however. was never much III
fectod by the change OF scasons-they
drank more hot coffee than usual
and kept their feet warm by dancing
from midnight up TO the small hours oil
the morning. The cholera was thing
OF the past,-the cleansing OF the city, the
sanitary precautions which had been so
much talked about and recommended In
order to prevent another outbreak IN inc
coming year, were all forgotten and neg
lected, and the laughing populace trip
ped lightly over the graves OF It's dead
hundreds as though they were odorous
banks OF flowers "0ggl. oggi"' Is their
cry,-to-day, to-day! Never mind what
happened yesterday or what will happen
tomorrow. leave that to signori Santl
and la Signora Madonna! And AFTER oil
there is grain Of reason in their iolly'
for many OF the bitterest miserles OF man
grow out OF fatal habit OF looking BACK
or looking forward, and OF never living
actually in the full-fated present.
Then, too, Carnival was approach
ing; Carnival. which, though dennded
of many Of It's best and brightest fea.
lures, still reels through the streets OF
Naples with something Of the picturesque
manners that in old times used to ac-
company its prototype, the Feast oil
Bacchus. was reminded Of this coming
festivity Oh the morning Of the 2lst OF
December, when / noted some unusual
attempts on the part Of Vincenzo TO con-
troll his countenance, that often, In spite
of his efforts, broadened into sunny
smile as though some humorous thought
had fitted across his mind. He betrayed
himself at last by asking me demurely
whether purposed taking any part In
the Carnival. / smiled and shook my
head. Vincenzo looked dubious, but
finally summoned up courage to say
''Will the Eccelenza permit. You
to make fool Of yourself?' inter-
rnpted, "by all means! Take your own
time, enjoy the fun as much as you please;
promise you will ask no account OF
your actions"
He was much gratified, and attended
to me with even moro punctiiousness
than usual. AS he prepared my break
fast / asked him
by the way, when does Carnival be-
gin?"
ION the Goth, he answered with q
slight air Of surprise. ''Surely the
Eccelenza knows"
'Yes, yes" / said impatiently. u
know, but had forgotten. ! am not
young enough to keep the dates OF these
follies in my memory. What letters have
you there?'
He handed me small tray full OF dill
ferent shaped missives, some from fair
ladies who desired the honor OF my
company" others from tradesmen,
''praying the honor OF my CUSTOM" oil
from male and female toadies as usual,
thought contemptuously as l turned
them over, when my glance was suddenly
arrested by one special envelope square in
form and heavily bordered with black,
on which the postmark Roma" stood
out distinctly. AT last!" l thought,
and breathed heavily. turned TO my
valet who was giving tho final polish to
my breakfast cup and saucer
"You may leave the room, VincenZo,
said briefly. He bowed, the door opened
and shut noiselessly, was gone
Slowly broke the seal OF that fateful
letter; o letter from Guido Ferrari, war
rant self-signed, for his own execution!
"MY BEST FRIEND" so it ran, ''you
will guess by the black flag on my
envelope tho goods news have to give
Won. My uncle is dead at last, thank
God! and am left his sole heir uncOn-
ditionally. / am free, and shall OF
course return to Naples Immediately,
that Is, as soon as some trifilng law bust
ness has been got through with the
executors. / believe can arrange my
return for the card or Gath instant, but
will telegraph to you the exact day and.
II possible, the exact hour. Will you
oblige me by not not announcing this to
the Countess? as wish to take her by
surprise. Poor girl! she will have often
felt lonely, am sure, and l want to see
the first beautiful look OF rapture and
establishment in her eyes! You can
understand this, can you not, AMIGO, or
does It seem to you folly? Atany rate,
should consider It very churlish were !
70 keep you In ignorance OF my coming
home, and know you will humour me
in my desire that the news should be
withheld from Nina. How delighted
she will be, and what joyous Carnival
We will have this winter! do not think
ever felt more light Of heart; perhaps
Il Is because am SO much heavier In
pocket an glad Of the money, IS 1t
places me on . more equal footing with
her, and though ell her letters TO me have
bean full Of the utmost tenderness, still
feel abe Will think even better Of me,
now an in 0 position somewhat nearer |
to her own. As for you, my good Conte,
on my return shall make It my first |
duty 70 pay back with interest the rather |
large debt owe 70 you;-thus my honor |
wiz be satisfied, and you, am sure, will |
have better opinion Of
"Yours TO command,
GUIDO FKRRAKL"
This was the letter, and read Il over |
and over again. Some Of the words |
burnt themselves into my memory IS |
though they were living fame. "All her |
lettars TO me have been full Of the utmost |
knnAaYnaunfn q miaarnhla duDal foolad /