Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-03-07

~ NMh S iio%ers. OF z 4 'h rss%I
glory OF shifting colours blazed on the
breast of heaven, bay, motionless
rs mirror, reflected all the splendid
tints with sheeny lustrc that redoubled
their magnilicence. Pricked in every
vein by the singing OF my own desires, !
vet restrained myself; waited till the
sun sank below the CLASSY waters,-till
the pomp and glow attending its depart
ure had paled into those dim, ethereal
hues which are like delicate draperies
fallen from the flying forms OF angels,
till the yellow rim OF the round full
moon rose languidly on the edge OF the
horizon,-and then keeping back my
eagerness no longer, l took the we'll
known road ascending to the Villa Ro-
mani. Ny heart beat high,-my limbs
tembled with eXcitement,-mys steps were
impatient and cipitate-never had the
p seeped Sc Spg A "a last dSeasaed
its sculptured lions looked upon me
frowningly. heard the splash and tim
kle of the fountains within. the scents
of the roses and myrtle were waited to-
wards me with every breath / drew.
Home at last! smiled,-my whole frame
quivcrcd with expectancy and delight. IL
was not my intention to seek admission
by the principal entrance,-l contented
myself with one long loving look, and
tnrned to the left, where there was a
small private gate leading into an ave-
nue. of lick and pine, intersperSed with
orange trees This was favourite walk
of mine, partly on account of its pleas
ant shade even In the hottest noon,-
partly because it was seldom frequented
by any member of the household save
myself. Guido occasionally took turn
with me there, but | was more often
clone. and was fond OF pacing up and
down in the shadow of the trees, read
ing some favourite book, or giving my
self up to the dolce far niente OF my own
.maginings. The avenue led round to
the back of the Villa. and as ] now en-
tered it, l thought would approach the
house cautiously by this means and get
private speech with Asrunta, the nurse
who had charge OF little Stella, and who
was moreover an old and tried family
servant, in whose arms my mother had
breathed her last
The dark trees rustled solemnly as l
stepped quickly yet softly along the
familiar moss-grown path. The place
was very still, sometimes the nighten-
gales broke into bubbling torrent OF
melody and then were suddenly silent,
as though overawed by the shadows OF
the heavy interlacing bows, through
which the moonlight fickered, casting
strange and fantastic patterns on the
ground A cloud Of lucciole broke from
q thicket OF laurel and sparkled in the
air like gems looJened from q queens
crown. Faint odours floated about me,
shaken from orange boughs and trailing
branches of white jessamine. l hast
ened on, my spirits rising higher the
nearer i approached my destination.
was full Of sweet anticipation and pas
sionate lOnging,-I yearned to clasp my
beloved Nina in my arms-to sec her
lovely lustI Gus eyes looking fOndly into
mine;-I was eager to shake Guido by
the hand,-and as for Stella, knew the
child would be In bed at that hour, but
still, / thought must have her wakened
to- see me; felt that my happiness
would not be complete till i had kissed
her little cherub face, and caressed
those clustering curls OF hers that were
like spun gold. Hush-hush!
What was that? stopped in my rapid
progress as though suddenly checked by
an invisible hand. listened with
strained ears. That sound,
was 1t not ripping peal Of gay laugh
ter? A SILVER shook me from head
70 foot 1t was my wife's laugh,-I knew
the silvery chime OF it well! My heart
sank coldly,-I paused irresolute. She
could laugh then like that while she
thought me lying dead-dead and out OF
her reach for ever! All at once l per-
ceived the glimmer Of q white robe
through the trees; Obeying my own i'm.
pulse stepped softly aside,-I hid be.
hind dense screen OF foliage through
which, could see without being seen.
The clear laugh rang out once again on
the stillness-its brightness pierced my
brain like q sharp sword! She was
happy, she was even merry,
she wandered here In the moon
light joyous-hearted-while II had ex.
oected TO find her close shut within her
room, or else kneeling before the Mater
Dolorosa in the little chapel, praying for
my souls rest, and mingling her prayers
with her tearsl Yes, i had
expected this.-we men are such fools
when we love womenl Suddenly ter
rIble thought struck me. Had she gone
mad? Had the shock and grief OF my so
unexpected death turned her delicate
brain? Was she roaming about poor
child, like Ophelia, knowing not WHITTIER
she went, and was her apparent gaiety
the fantastic mirth of disordered bEainf
\ shuddered AZ the idea-and bending