Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-06-27
THE VENDETTA,
Oh
The Story Of One Forgotten
BY MARIE CORELLI
CHAPTER XIX.-CoNTINUED.

ever anu anon turning tHe ring nuu
given her round and ronnd upon her
finger. BY and by she looked up.
"Will you do me one favour?" she
asked, coaxingly: "such little thing-a
trine! but 1t would give me much pleas
ure!"
"What is it," asked; ''you must CON-
mand and obey
swell, take off those dark glasses
just for minute. / want to see your
eyes!"
rose from the sofa quickly, and an.
swered her with some GOODNESS.
"Ask anything you like but that, mia
bella. The least light on my eyes gives
me the most acute pain-pain that
irritates my nerves for hours afterwards.
Be satisfied with me as i am for the
present, though l promise you your wish
shall be gratiled-"
"When?" she interrupted me eagerly.
l stopped and kissed her hand.
ION the evening OF our marriage day"
answered.
She blushed and turned her head away
coquettishly.
''Ah! that is so long to wait!" she said,
half pettishly.
"Not very long, l hope" observed,
with meaning emphasis. 1--WE are now
in November. May ask YOU to make
my suspense brief? TO allow me to fix our
wedding day for the second month of the
New Year?"
'But my recent widowhood!
Stella's DEATH she objected family,
pressing a perfumcd handkerchief gent
ly to her eyes
''fn February your husband will have
been dead nearly =?
six months" | said, decisively; lit Is
quite sufficient period Of mourning for
one so young as yourself. And the loss
OF your child so increases the Loneliness
of your situation, that IL is natural, even
necessary, that you should secure pro-
tector as soon as possible. Society will
not censure you, you may be sure-be'
sides shall know how to silence any
gossip that savours OF impertinence."
= A smile OF conscious triumph parted
her lips. ...:-. -. I-s u ssss--'
1T shall be as you WISH" she said de-
murely; 'if you, who are known in
Naples Us one who is perfectly indiifer-
ent to women, like now to figure as an
impatient lover, shall not object!'
And she gave me quick glance OF
mischievous amusement from under Ian
guild lids of her dreamy dark eyes, l
saw II, but answered Stiffiy-
"You are aware, Contessa, and / am
also aware that / am not lover ac-
cording to the accepted type, but that !
am impatient / readily admit"
"And why?" SHE asked.
Because, replied, speaking slowly
and emphatically. II desire you TO be
mine and mine only, TO have you abso-
lutely In my possession, and to feel that
no one can come between us, or interfere
with my wishes concerning YOU.
She laughed gaily. "a la bonnie
heurel You are lover without know
ing it! Your dignity will not allow you
to believe that You are actually in love
with me, but In spite OF yourself you are
you know you are"
stood before her in almost sombrc
silence. At last said. ''lf you say SO,
Contessa, then it must be So / have
had no experience in affairs OF the heart
as they are called, and l find
it difficult to give a name to the
feelings which possess me; am
only conscious Of very strong wish TO
become the absolute master OF your deS-
Unity" And involuntarily | clenched
nv hand as / spoke. She did not OBJ
serve the action, but she answered the
words with graceful bend Of the head
and SMILE"
81 could not have o better fortune"
she said, "for am sure my destiny VIII
be all brightness and beauty with you TO
control and guide it!''
ut will be what you Deserve" hall
muttered; then with an abrupt change
of manner / said:
al will wish you good night, Contessa-
II grows late and my state OF health COM
pels me TO retire to rest early"
She rose from her seat and gave me a
compassionate look.
"You. are really great sufferer then?''
she inquired tenderly. 81 am sorry!
But perhaps careful nursing will quite
restore YOU. / shall be so proud IL can
help you to- secure better health"
"Rest and happiness will no doubt dc
much for me-" answered, ''still j warn
you, cara mia, that in accepting me as
your husband you take q broken-down
man-one whose whims are legion and
whose chronic state OF invalidlsm may In
time proAe TO be burden on your young
life. Are you sure your decision is a
wise one?"
"Quite sure!" she replied firmly. do
/ not love you? And you will not al
ways be ailing-you look so strong"
81 am strong 10 certain extent" /
said, unconsciOusly Strengthening myself
as sto6dA 81 have plenty Of muscle as
far as that goes, but my nervous system
is completely disorganized. I-why,
what is the matterp Are you lip"
For she had turned deathiy pale, and
her eyes looked startled and terri
fed. Thinking she would faint, ! ex-
tended my arms to save her from falling,
but she put them aside with an alarmed
Jet appealing gesture.
at Is nothing she muFmered feebly,
90 Rsudden giddiness:-I thought-nc
- - Ia