The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-09-11
"He must have loved you," I said.

many people love me-that Is nOthfne
new; I am accustomed to be loved. But
you see," she went on, reverting to the
will again, sit specifies. everything he
dies possessed Of that means ali the
money left to him by his uncle In Rome,
does 1t not?'
bowed. could not trust myself to
speak.
81 thought So" she murmured glee.
fully, more to herself than to me; s'and
/ have a right to all bis papers and let
ters." There she paused abruptly and
checked herself.
understood her. She wanted to get
back her own letters to the dead man,
lest her intimacy with him should leak
out in some chance way for which she
was unprepared. Cunning DEVIL was
almost glad she showed me to what
a depth of vulgar vice she had fallen.
There was no question of pity or for
bearance in her case. III all the tortures
invented by savages or stern inquisitors
could be heaped upon her at once, such
punishment would be light In compari-
son with her crimes,-crimes for which,
mark you. the law gives you no remedy
but divorce. Tired Of the wretched COM
edy, looked at my watch.
at is time for me take my leave Of
you" / said in the stiff, courtIy manner
| affected. Moments fly fast in your
enchanting company! But have still to
walk to Castellamare, there to rejoin
my carriage, and l have many
things to attend to before my
departure this evening. On my re-
turn from Avellino shall l be welcome?''
"You know it," she returned, nesting
her head against my shoulder, while for
mere forms sake / was forced to hold
her in a partial embrace. II only wish
you were not going at all. Dearest, do
not stay long away,-I shall be SO I'M
| happy till you come back"
absence strengthens love, they say, I"
| observed with forced smile. "May
it do so in our case. Farewell, cara
mia! Pray for me; l suppose you do
pray a great deal here?"
''Oh, yes," she replied naively; "there
Is nothing else to do"
held her hands closely In my grasp
The engagement ring on her finger, and
the diamond signet on my own flashed in
the light like the crossing Of swords.
"Pray, then" said, storm the gates
of heaven with sweet-vOiced pleadings
| for the repose of poor Ferrari's soul!
Remember he loved you, though you
never loved him. For your sake he
Quarreled with me, his best friend, for
your sake he died! Pray for him-who
knows" and | spoke in thrilling tones OF
earnestness-"who knows but that his
too-hastily parted spirit may not be near
us now-hearing our voices, watching
our looks!'
She shivered slightly, dan her hands in
mine grew cold
Eyes, yes," I continued more calmly:
you must not forget to pray for him.
he was young and not prepared to die"
My words had some of the desired
effect upon her, for once her
ready speech failed-she seemed as
though she sought for some reply and
found none. still held her hands.
promise me!' continued; land at
the same time pray for your dead hus-
band! He and poor Ferrari were close
friends, you know; 1t will be pious and
kind of you to join their names in one
petition addressed to Him from whom
no secrets are hid and who reads with
unerring eyes the purity of your inten-
tions. Will you'do it?''
She smiled, forced, faint smile.
'Icertainly will" she replied in low
voice: II promise you"
released her hands, was satisfied
If she dared to pray thus felt, knew
that she would draw down upon her soul
the redoubled wrath Of heaven: for !
looked beyond the grave. The mere
death OF her body would be but slight
satisfaction to me; it was the utter de-
struction of her wicked soul that
[ sought. She should never
repent, l swore; she should
never have the chance of cast
ing off her vileness as a serpent casts its
skin, and, reclothing herself in inno-
cence, presume to ask admittance into
that Eternal Gloryland whittier my little
child had gone-never, never! No
church should save her, no priest should
absolve her-not while lived.
She watched me as fastened my coat,
and began to draw on my gloves.
Are you going now?" she asked
somewhat timidly.
Yes. l am going now, cara mia"
said, why; what makes you look so
pale?'
For she had suddenly turned very
white.
LET me see your hand again." she de-
manded with feverish eagerness, 1.-THE
hand on which j placed the ring!"
SmilInglY and with readiness took
off the glove had just put on.
What odd fancy possesses you now,
little one?' l asked with an air Of play
fulness.
She made no answer, but took my hand |
and examined it closely and curiously. |
Then she looked up, her lips twitched |
nervously, and she laughed little hard |
mirthless laugh.
Your hand, she murmeyed incoher- |
emily, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. it's ex-
actly like-like Fabio'sr"
And before had time to say a word |
she went off into violent fit of Mysteries |
-sobs, little cries, and laughter all in. |
termingled in that wild and reasonless
distraction that generally unnerves the
strongest man who is not accus.
toned to it rang the bell
to summon assistance; a lsy-sister
answered it, and seeing Nina's condi-
ton, rushed for a glass Of water and
summoned Madame la Vicaire. This !
latter entering with her quiet step and
inflexible demesnor, took in the situa-
at glance, dismissed the lay-sister, and
possessing herself Of the tumbler of
water, sprinkled the forehead of the in
teresting patient, and forced some
drops between her clenched teeth.
Then turning to me she inquired with
some stateliness Of manner, what had
caused the attack.
81 really cannot tell you. madame"
said with an air Of affected concern and
vexation. 81 certainly told the Countess
Of the unexpected death Of friend, but
she bore that news with exemplary
The circumstance that ap-
pears to have so greatly distressed her