Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-06-20

/ Iy,-bu0IC W no NV hAOAS SsA@~
ton or reflection.
~ think, Madame" I said deliberate
", as folded Guido's letter and replaced
It in my pocket-book, ''Signor Ferrari
ardently aspires to do something more
than brother to you at no very distant
date"
Oh, the splendid hypocrisy OF women!
| No wonder they make such excellent
puppets on the theatrical stage,-acting
is their natural existence, sham their
breath OF life! This creature showed no
sign of mbarrassment-she raised her
eyes frankly TO mine In apparent SUR
prise-then she gave little low laugh
OF disdain.
'Tndeedw she said. "Then | fear
Signor Ferrari is doomed TO have his as.
pirations disappointed. My dear Contc, "
and here she rose and swept softly across
the room towards me with that graceful
gliding step that somehow always re-
minded me OF the approach OF panther
lido you really mean to tell me that MS
audacity has reached such q height that
really II is too absurd!-that he hopes
to marry me? And sinking into chair
near mine she looked Of me In calm In
curry. Lost in amazement at the du-
plicity OF the woman, answered brlei'
| "
II believe so. He intimated as much
10 me-"
she smiled scornfully.
al mn too much honored! And did
you, Conte, think for moment that
such an arrangement would meet with
my spproval?" 49,,
was silent. My brain was confused
Il found 1t difliult to meet with and con.
| front such treachery as this. What!
| Had she no conscience? Were all the
passionate embraces, the lingering
kisses, the vows Of fidelity, and words OF
caressing endearment as nought? were
they all blotted from her memory as the
writing on q slate Is wiped out by 0
sponge? Almost l pitied Guido. His
| fate, in her hands, was evidently to be
| the same as mine had been; yet after all,
why should / be surprised? Why should
/ pity? Had not calculated 1t all? And
was It not part Of my vengeance?
Tell me! pursued my wife's dulcet
voice, breaking in upon my reflections,
s'did you really imagine Signor Ferrari's
| suit might meet with favor ut my
hands?"
Unjust speak-the comedy had to be
played out. So answered bluntly-
MADAME, certainly did think so. II
seemed natural conclusion TO draw
from the course OF events. He is young
undeniably handsome, and on his uncle:
death will be fairly wealthy,-what more
could you desire? besides, he was your
husbands friend"
"And for that reason / would never
marry him!" she interrupted me with 8
decided gesture. seven II liked him
sufficiently, which do not oh, miser
able traitress], would not run the risk
OF what the world would say OF such
marriage"
slow, Madame? Pardon me II fai
to comprehend you"
''Do you not see, Conte?" she went or
in a coaxing voice as OF one that begged
to be believed, ''if were to marry ont
that was known to have been my hus
bands most intimate friend, society II
so wicked, people would be sure to sa!
that there had been something between
us before my husbands DEATH know
they would, and l could not endure sucf
SANDER"
murder will out" they say! Here
was guilt partially declaring itself. A
perfectly innocent woman could moi
foresee so readily the condemnation o.
society. Not having the knowledge o
evil she would be unable to calculate
consequences. The over-prudish woman
betrays herself; the fine lady who virtu-
ously shudders at the sight OF nude
statue or picture, announces at once II
all whom It may concern, that there Il
something far coarser In the suggestion
of her own mind than the work OF ar
she condemns. Absolute purity has NJ
fear OF social SANDER; 1t knows Its owl
value, and that 1t must conquer In tn
end. My wife-alas! that shoult
call her so-was innately vicious ant
false; yet how particular she was In he
efforts to secure the blind worlds goot
opinion Poor old world how OK
ouisitely II Is fooled, and how goo'
naturedly 1t accepts its fooling. But
had to answer the fair liar. whose net o.
graceful decepA pms was now spread to en-
trap me; therefore said with an effort q
courtesy
mo one would dare to SANDER you
Contessa, in my presence" She bowe'
and smiled prettily. But" went on
III II is true that you have no liking 10
Eignor Ferrari-"
''It is true!" she exclaimed with sud
DEN emphasis HE Is rough and III
hammered; Ihave seen him the worse
for wine; sometimes he is insutterable.
. am afraid Of him!"
!. / glanced at her quietly. Her face
!, had paled, and her hands, which were
busted with some silken embroidery
trembled little.
, 'sIn that case" continued slowly
''though / am sorry for Ferrari. poo
, fellow! he will be immensely disappoint
! ed. confess / am glad In other re
spects, because"
"Because whatP" she demanded Gag
! erly. ,
"Why,"I answered. feigning q littl
Gghaaanoa fhara will l