The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-05-15


ceptIons, Tor Instance. VII
you have some coffee?'
Thanks, have already breakfasted.
Pray, do not let me be In your way, my
errand is soon done. The Countess
wishes me to say"
"You saw her last night?" / inter.
rupted him.
He flushed slightly. "Yes-that is
for few minutes only. / gave her
your message. She thanks you, and de-
sires me to tell you that she cannot
think of receiving the jewels unless you
will first honour her by visit She is
not at home to ordinary callers In con-
sequence Of her recent bereavement
but to you-so old friend of her hus-
bands family, hearty welcome will be
accorded"
/ bowed stiffiy. 81 am extremely fat
teredl' / said In somewhat sarcastical
tone, sit is seldom / receive so tempting
an invitation regret that cannot ac-
cept 1t, at least, not at present. Make
my compliments to the lady, and tell her
so in whatever sugared form of words you
may think best fitted to please her ears"
He looked surprised and puzzled.
"Do you really mean" he said, with q
tinge of hateur in his accents, shat you
will n t visit her-that you refuse her
request?"
smiled. 81 really mean, my dear
Signcr Ferrari, that being always ac-
customed to have my own way, can
make no exception in favor of ladies,
however fascinating they may be.
have business In Naples,-it claims my
first and best attention. When it is
transacted may possibly try few
frivolities for change,-at present /
am unfit for the society of the fair sex,
an old battered traveller as you see,
brusque, and unaccustomed to polite
lying. But promise You will practice
suave manners and court bow for the
Countess when can spare time to call
upon her. In the meanwhile trust to
you to make her suitable and graceful
apology for my non-appearance."
Ferrari's puzzled and vexed expression
gave way to a smile,-fnally he laughed
alond. Upon my wordl' he exclaimed
gaily, ''you are really remarkable man,
Conte! You are extremely cynical! am
almost inclined to believe that you posi-
lively hate women"
''0h, by no means! Nothing so strong
as hatred, said coolly, as peeled and
divided fine peach as finish to my
mornings meal. "Hatred is strong
passion,-to hate well one must first
have loved. No, no. do not find
women worth hating-I am simply indif-
ferent to them. They seemed to me
merely one of the burdens imposed on
mans existence, - graceful, neatly
packed, light burdens in appearance, bnt
in truth, terribly heavy and soul-crush-
ing"
"Yet many accept such burdens glad
Typ interrupted Ferrari, with a smile. l
glanced at him keenly.
"Men seldom attain the mastery over
their own passions" l replied: "they
are in haste to seize every apparent
pleasure that comes in their way. Led
by hot animal impulse which they call
love, they snatch at a woman's beauty
as greedy schoolboy snatches ripe fruit
and when possessed, what is it worth?
Here is its emblem"-and 1 held up the
stone of the peach had just eaten
''the fruit is deEoured-what remains2
A stone with bitter kernel
Ferrari shrugged his shoulders
81 cannot agree with you, Count" he
said, "but ] will not argue with you.
From your point of view you may be
right-but when one is young, and life
stretches before you like fair pleasure
ground, love and the smile of woman
are like sunlight falling on flowers
You, too, must have felt this-in spite
of what you say, there must have been
time in your life when you also loved!'
.t0h. i have had my fan
cies, of coursew i answered with
an Indifferent laugh.-'The wo-
man fancied turned out to be SAINT
l was not worthy Of her,-at least so 1
was toldl At any rate was SO con-
WINGED OF her virtue and my own dn-
enthusiastically left her."
He looked surprised, San odd reason,
surely, for resigning her, was it note"
every odd,-very uBusual-but suf-
fcient one for me. Pray let US talk of
more interesting,-your pic
lures, for instance. When may 1 see
them?"
"When you please" he answered read
ily,-"'though fear they arc scarcely
worth visit. have not worked much
lately. l really doubt whether l have
any that will merit pour notice."
you underrate your own powers,
Signor," said with formal politeness
"Allow me to call at your
studio this afternoon. 1 have
few minutes to spare between three
and four o'clock If that time will suit
you"
at will suit me admirably" he said,
with look of gratification;-"but fear
you will be disappointed. assure you
/ am no artist"