Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-07-18

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they soon talked freely together. After
their first meeting, which was full of
embarrassment to both of them, they
passed all the reception evenings of the
splendid countess together. Amelia al
ways awaited him with indescribable
emotion, and when she saw him appear
ing in the doorway, diffident and shy, all
her life was concentrated in her heart,
that beat, beat as If it would burst its
bonds. Then with studied carelessness
he wandered through the rooms until
he succeeded in placing himself at her
side, from whence he did not stir until
the last guests were about to leave.
Mario had told the story of his life
his poor life of discomfort and isolation.
He, too, was an orphan, brought up by
strangers who had speculated upon his
talent. By force Of study and effort he
had at last made for himself q position
that had enabled him to demand his
liberty In exchange for monthly pay
ment. Never, poor soul, had he tasted
the sweetness of mutual love.
Amelia, in her secret heart, rejoiced
at all this. For would it not be her
privilege to give him the delights that
he had never experienced, her task to
make him forget the bitterness of so
many years, and to reward him for all
his sufferings? At night how many
dreams of this kind peopled the virginia.
little room of the young girl, and in
fancy she saw herself already an adored
wife, clasped to the gentle and noble
breast of her beloved Mario.
One thing, however, preoccupied her
mind. When she met Mario for the first
time cloud of sadness had yelled his
attractive countenance, sadness behind
which she had perceived deeply wound
ed heart. OF that wound Mario had
never spoken to her, but the cloud had
not passed away, Notwithstanding the
love that Amelia breathed toward him
from her eyes, her smile, her entire per-
sonality. And then, too, there was
something else that she would have
wished-indeed, she expected it every
evening, and always vainly-the final
outburst of Mario's love. He loved her
oh! she was sure of that-but why did
he not tell her SO? Of course, natural
timidity-the fear of troubling her
simple life. He was so noble, her Mario!
But finally he must explain himself.
Obi and she would not stammer in CIV
ing him favorable answer; such yes
would escape her lips-and then what
mutual joy, what warmth in their fu-
ture talks! Then she would be obliged
to tell it to her cousin, and the kind
countess would willingly consent. But
why did he not speak to herr
One evening when they were alone in
the shadow of the little yellow drawing
room Mario suddenly let himself go,
seized her trembling hand and muir
INJURED to her, II will must speak to
you-at last"
And Amelia, bending her fair head
and almost suffocated with emotion, re-
piled, II am listening to you'll"
Dear Amelia" Mario began, "have
you never asked yourself why 1 first
came to this house?"
"How should II Chance perhaps"
murmured Amelia, hardly able to CON
tain her joy, while her heart cried out
the answer, "For me, for me aloner'
"1t was not chance, no-I came here
conquered, led by passion alone. !
loved and was wild with pain before /
set foot inside the house." declared Ma
rio.
Amelia trembled, not daring to inter-
rupt him, but she would have liked to
! fling herself upon his neck without let
ting him finish, and to say to him amid
a world Of kisses, "Here is joy for you'll"
But he continued, ~ loved, and today
love more than then, suffered, and to-
day suffer more than ever"
The girl started and looked, wild
eyed, at his face. Why did he speak of
sufferingG Had he not understood her
great lover Or. was he feigning, per-
haps, In order to hear her confess it?
Dear girl" and here Mario caressed
her hand, "you indeed have comforted
me, you have helped me to bear my
grief; but now my anguish has reached
the last degree-I know that my love
will never be returned"
"No, no; you mistaken Amelia invol-
unfairly interrupted, bending howard
him.
81 mistake ?" he exclaimed, with hope
beaming in his glance. "Why do you
say sos Do you know who it Is that !
lover"
And Amelia, shamefaced and con-
fused, stammered. II imagine"
"Well," continued Mario bitterly. "if
you know whom l love you will have
seen for some time that she not only
does not even dream of this tempest In
my soul, but she would never imagine
that one 80 low would dare to lift his
eyes to her."
What! Was he going mad2 Why
did he talk Of descendingi And the
girl, profoundly troubled, asked him
quickly: "Shel Whop'
"Your cousin, the countess, of
course"
'Do you love her? Herr" And An
nella could say no more. She felt
chill like ice through her veins, a ring
Ing in her ears; she saw sparks, shad-
ows, before her eyes-then nothing.
When she came to herself she was
upon her bed, with the beautiful count
ess bending little uneasily over her.