The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-09-11

and held out my diamond ring that 1
had drawn of the dead mans finger.
II she had been pale before, she grew
paler now. All the brilliancy Of her
complexion faded for the moment into
an awful hasgardness. She took the
ring with fingers that shook visibly and
were icy cold. There was no attempt at
smiling now. She drew sharp quick
breath; she thought 1 knew all. l was
again silent She looked at the diamond
signet with a bewildered air.
II do not understand" she murmured
perulantly. 81 gave him this as a re-
membrance Of his friend, my husband;
why does he return ftp"
"Self-tortured criminal! l studied her
with dark amusement, but answered
nothing. Suddenly she looked up at me
and her ewes filed with tears.
"Why are you SO cold and strange,
Cesare?" she pleaded In sort of plaintive
whimper. do not stand there like a
gloomy sentinel; kiss me, and tell me at
ouce what has happened"
Kiss her! So soon after kissing the
dead hand of her lover? No, 1 could not
and would not, 1 remained standing
where I was, inflexibly silent. She
whimpered afresh.
murmured. "You could not be
so stern and silent If you
loved mel II there is indeed any bad
news, you ought to break it to me
gently and kindly. Thought you would
always make everything easy for me-"
such has been my endeavour, mad
ame," I said, interrupting her COM
plant "From your own statement,
judged that your adopted brother Guido
Ferrsri had rendered himself obnox-
ious to you. l promised that would
silence him-you remember? have kept
my word He is silenced. -. for
ever"
She started.
'Silenced? How? Yon mean"
moved away from my place behind
her chair, and stood so that / faced her
as spoke.
81 mean that he is dead"
See uttered slight cry, not of sorrow
but Of wonderment.
"pesdw she exclaimed. "Not posi-
blsl Dead! You have killed him."
/ bent my head gravely. II killed
him-yesl But in open combat, openly
witnessed. Last night he insulted me
grossly; we fought this morning. We
forgave each other before he died"
She listened attentiyely. A little COL
our came back into her checks.
'In what way did he insult you?" she
asked in low voice
l told her all. briefly. She still looked
anxious.
did he mention my name?" she
asked.
I glanced at her troubled features in
profound contempt She feared the
dying man might have made some con-
fession to me! l answered.
mo; not after our quarrel. But
hear he went to your house to kill you
Not finding you there, he only cursed
you"
She hesvei sigh OF relief. She was
safe now, she thought Her red liu
widened into a cruel smile
what bad tastei" she said coldIy.
why he should curse me cannot inn
agine! l have always been kind to him
too kind"
Too kind indeed! kind enough to be
glad when the object of all her kindness
was dead! For she was glad! | could
see that in the murderous glitter of her
eyes.
You ara not sorry?' inquired, with
an sir OF pretended surprise.
Sorry? Not at all Why should |
be? He was a very agreeable friend |
while my husband was alive to keep him |
Ia order, but after my poor FabIo's |
death, his treatment of me was quite IN. |
6earable."
Take care, beautiful hypocrite, cake
care! Take care lest your ''poor
Fetio's" fingers should suddenly aip
your slim throat with o conyulsive |
witch that means deathi Heaven only
COWS how managed TO Keep my hands
~ her at that moment Why, any grow
Hing beast Of the field had more feeling
this wretch whom had made my
2! Even for Guido's sake-such are
strange inconsistencies Of the human
staArt-I could have slain her then. But
restrained my fury; steadied my voice
nd said calmly
eThen ] was mistaken ] thought