Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-05-09
CHAPTER XIV CONTINUED

CHAPTER XIV CONTINUED
And with a courteous gesture OF fare.
we'll she moved to leave the room.
Both Ferrari and myself hastened TO es-
cort her downstairs to her carriage,
which stood In waiting at the door-the
very carriage and pair Of chestnut ponies
which myself had given her us birth
day present Fcrrari offered to assist her
In mounting the step OF the vehicle; she
put his arm aside with light jest!ng
word and accepted mine instead. /
helped her In, aud arranged her en-
broidered wraps about her feet, and she
nodded gaily to us both rs VIC stood bare
headed in the afternoon sunlight watch
ing her departure. The horses started
at brisk canter, and In couple OF
sight. When nothing more Of 1t could
be seen than the cloud of dust stirred up
by its rolling wheels, / turned to look at
my companion. His face was stern, and
his brows were drawn together in q
frOwn. Stung already! / thought.
Already the. little asp OF jealousy
commenced its bitter work! The triflng
favour his light-o'love and my wife had
extended to me in choosing my arm
instead OF his as momentary support,
had evidently been sufficient to pique
his pride. GOd what blind bats men
arei With all their high capabilities
world before them to conquer, they can
sink unnerved and beaten down to i'm
potent weakness before the sighting
word or insolent gesture Of frivolous
feminine creature, whose best devotions
are paid to the mirror that reflects her
in the most becoming light! How easy
would be my vengeance, unused, as /
watched Ferrari. l touched him on tho
Shoulder; he started from his uncomfort-
able reverie and forced smile. / held
ont cigar case.
What are you dreaming. OFF, / asked
him Neutrality-suspicious. as She waited on
the gods, or Venus as she rose in bare
beauty from the waves? Either, neither,
or both? l assure you comfortable
smoke is as pleasant in its way as the
smile OF o womon."
He took cigar and lit it, but made no
answer.
"You are dull, my friend" continued
gaily, hooking my arm through his and
pacing him up and down on the turf in
front of his studio "Wit, they say,
should be sharpened by the glance OF
bright eye; how comes II that the edge
OF your converse seems bluntedP Per-
haps your feelings are too deep for words?
II so, do not wonder at 1t, for the lady
is extremely lovely"
He glanced quickly at me.
Ibid ] not say SOP" he exclaimed. ''Ot
all creatures under heaven she Is surely
the most perfect! Even you, Conte, with
your cynical ideas about women-even
you were quite subdued and influenced
by her; could see it!''
/ pulled slowly at my cigar and pre-
tended to mediate.
"Was ~" l said at last, with an air OF
well-acted surprise. Really subdued
and Influenced? do not think so. But
/ admit l have never seen any woman SC
entirely beautiful"
He stopped in his walk, loosened his
arm from mine, and regarded me fxedly.
II told you So" he said deliberately.
''You must remember that told you so.
And now, perhaps, ought to warn
you"
"Warn mel" exclaimed in felgned
alarm. ''Of what-against whom?
Surely not the Contessa Romani, to
whom you were so anxious to introduce
me? She has no illness, no infectious
disorderP She is not dangerous to life
or limb, Is she?"
Ferrari laughed ut the anxiety l dis
played for my own bodily safetY-an
anxietv which managed to render al
most comic-but he looked somewhat re-
lieved too.
Oh, no." he said, 81 meant nothing OF
that kind. only think 1t fair to tell
you that she has very seductive manners,
and she may pay you little attentions
which would flatter any man who was
not aware that they are only part OF
her child-like manner, pretty WAYS; in
short they might lead him enormously
to suppose himself the object Of her
particular preference, and"
/ broke into violent tit OF laughter,
and clapped him roughly on the shoulder.
'Your warning is quite necessary, my
good young FRIEND" said. Come, now,
do look likely man to attract the atten-
ton of an adorcd and capricious beauty?
Besides at my age the idea Is montrousl
1 could figure as her father, or yours, IL
you like, but in the capacity Of lover
impossible"
He eyed me attentively.
''She said you did not seem DID," he
murmured, half to himself and half to
me.
''0h, I grant you she made me that
little compliment, certainly, ~ answered,
amused at the suspicious that evidently
tortured his mind; land l accepted II as
Il was meant in kindness / am well
aware what . battered and unsigbtly
wreck OF Q man / must appear In her
eyes when contrasted with you, Sir An
tinousI"
He flushed warmly. Then, with half
Apologetic air. he said
''Well, you must forgive me II have
seemed over-scrupulous- The Contessa