Arizona republican., 1892-09-14

his eyes often glistened as if with re- strained tears.
 He welcomed sympathy so eagerly that it appeared as if he sought her, as if he came solely for her sake. And 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, difiident and shy, all her life was concentrated in her heart, that peat, 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 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.
 Annella, 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 virginal 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 ecountenance, a 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 -ohl 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 Mariol But finally he must explain himself. Ohl and she would not stammer in giv- ing him favorable answer; such yes would escape her lips-and then what mutual joy. what warmth in their fu- ture talksl 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 mur- mured to her, "I will must speak to you-at lastv'
 And Amelia, bending her fair head and almost suffocated with emotion. re- piled, "l am listening to you!"
 Dear Amelia" Mario began, "have you never asked yourself why I first came to this house?"
 "How should 1? Chance perhaps" murmured Amelia, hardly able to con tain her joy. while her heart cried out the answer, "For me, for me alener'
 ''lt was not q chance, no--i came here conquered, led by passion alone. l loved and was wild with pain before set foot inside the house." decla. cd 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 world of kisses, Here is joy for youl" But he continued, "l loved, and today love more than then; l suffered. and to- day l suffer more than ever"
 The girl started and looked, wild eyed, at his face. Why did he speak of suffering? Had he not understood her great love? 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- untarily interrupted, bending toward him.
 "l mistake !" he exclaimed, with hope beaming in his glance. "Why do you say SO? Do you know who it is that lover
 And Annella, shamefaced and con- fused, stapmered, "l imagine"
 "Well," continued Mario bitterly. eff 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 so low would dare to lift his eyes to her"
 What! Was he going mad? Why did he talk of descending? And the girl, profoundly troubled, asked him quickly; "Shei Who?"
 Your cousin, the countess, of course"
 Do you love her? Heri" And An nella could say no more. She felt chill like ice through her veins, 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.
 "Oh. what was the natter asked the countess; have you quarreled this evening"
 "With whomg" said Amelia, not yet quite herself.
 "With Mario, with your impassioned