The Dickinson press., 1893-11-11

was caused by her hand-by the hand OF
Mar-ot!'
YES; she herself confessed as much to
me-"
terrible! Thank heaven live even tor her
sas' ,ats' : ''""A "'A's" '''A' "'A e'N
Corona, before my mental vision see
that woman pursuing thee with hatred
aud revenge.H Paul sasped, IN earnest
'"Oh shall not fear her. have hus-
band now" she repeated, in iond, trust
iul tone
"IIe will not be able to shield thee
against Margot's Vaccinations; therefore,
take heed ofmy warnings-of these my
last words breathed to thee! Beware OF
Margot!"
Paul spoke no more; and when Corona
next looked into his face, his eyes were
glazed and his spirit fled.
They had journeyed into Italy, the Count
and his wife, and were staying at beaul-
iul village near Milan. They were very
happy with each other and the summer
days were too short for them. Corona
sometimes thought .; poor Paul. who was
lying in the cold cliurchyara. but she had
almost forgotten the existence of her Old
enemy, the venge!ul Marsot.
One day, the Count brought home page
boy--a handsome youth, with !air skin
and soft sunny eur.S' The Lad WAS dunno,
the Count said, and was TO be the CountesS's
own attendant. The page boy, who an
swered to the name of AleNo was expert.
attentive and W Hing. and Corona was we'll
pleased TO have him at her beck and call.
To be sure his lack OF >l eeoh WAS anything
but couv. nient 10 those whom lie served;
but then, AleNo wrote such aeat hand.
that Corona soon ceased to regard ,he loss
of his voice as any particular annoyance;
md learning TO like the silen: youth he
was entrusted with all SORTS OF messages
| and commissions hv hlS young mistress, TO
whom he ever showed q ready obedience
and devotion.
AT length, wcaried of u rural life the
Count carried his young bride to u mag
niticent villa on the banks OF the riyei
| Tesin, an abode betittiug his rank and hi
fortune, where he and his Countess could
receive and entertain the proutest and tht
| nohleSt i'll the land
| Corona was quite at home in the stately
halls that called her mistress. She matched
| their grandeur. The richiy-gilded walls
| the magnificent paintings and sculpture
| the windows of stained glass lighting the
| long corridors--the antique turniture---the
| Florcntine mosiacs and the huge old Dres.
| den vases---all seemed like familiar objects
to her--.like things she had always known.
| Neither sweeping terraces, nor marble
| fountains, nor splendid parterrcs appear
ed strange to her; Corona, in her dazzling
loyeliness;; was graceful amid them all;
| And the new Countess---the fame
| of whose beauty had travelled
far and near---was causing consider
| able commotion amongst the circles OF ltal.
4 ian rank and fashion. and almost every one
in Milan was talking about her; while her
salons We're crowded nightly with half the
mobiles in the land, who would contentedly
bear two hours squeezing merely ler the
pleasure OF catching gli imp OF her sweet
face. Yes, Corona was the queen ofbeau
ty in Milan, and people were eagerly striv,
ing to pay court to her, cndeavoring to out
live each other in their homage.
Now; the Count loved his wife very fond
ly: and, as tlattrring as all this worship
might he. he did not care to see Corona
the object oft. lie was not jealous man
he could see his wife smi ing upon, anc
talking to, q score of men. without feeling
the least concern about the matter. Still
for all thar, he was far from being comfort
able at the present moment
AS for Corona herself, she had been Sc
long accustomed to receive general rever
encc and adulation. that she scarcely knew
when such were being offered to her, wliil'
the merest compliment breathed 10 her b.
her husband was treasured in her breast
and pondered on over and:o again
Amongst the numerous visitors at tn
J. Palace Tesina-such was the name of tn
r Counts dwelling-therc was one Primo
Preideslaus, man immensely rich, vain
i and unscrupulous. He admired the youn
y Countess, and paid extravagant court t
y her. At first. his attentions had no OF
I ject i'll them; but soon he grew deeply er
e amoured of the lady, and then he though
p only OF how he might compass her dowr
fall
Prince Preidcslaus spent days and da,
musing on this subject. but never ono
t. either by word or look, did he permit c.
- roma to suspect his passion for her He WI
II an adept at d:ssimulation, and had lit
IS respect for womankind. The fact of Cor
l. ma being a married woman he did not r
J. gard in the least. Prince Preideslaus hs
fought duel after duel, and he would n
n hesitate to fight again. provided he four
q anything worth tile trouble Of fighting 10
o A gorgeous sunset was flinging dazzlil
=, beams and patches otgolden light upon u
~ windows OF Milan's grand cathedral, gil
a. ing the spires of her many churches, al
throwing red glory aslant the WALL; walls
, apicturesque dress OF crimson serge. slas
ed with white plush. was seen hu5ryi
along in the direction OF the Palace Tesir
by St. Peter, Madame Ia Confess
page!" cried voice: at the same momel
hand was laid on the youths should
j, arresting hi, further progress a., "He
the same voice.
, The lad smiled. DOTTED his cap. al
ting courtier than liveried lackey. Th
Ale1o produced his little tablets, whi
were always hanging by his side a
wrote an answer 10 Prince Preldeslan
u- burg was WELL"
I. The rays OF the yellow sunset were pla
%; ing amid the curls of Alexo's soft. CLOS
DO hair. as he was thus standing barehrad
g. before the Prince, who had sudden
a fastened his eyes upon the lad with
strange and all absorbing interest.
"Of what country are you, boy?'
c Alexo wrote on his tablets.
. "From Normandy" read the Prince.
Alexo bowed the affirmative.
"Harkye. boy" laughed the Prime
catching hold of his arm. and looki
steadily into his face; Il have discover
one of your secrets.
n Alexo's cheeks and lips bianched, Al
y his eyelids dropped.
70 thou hast at least half score Of such"
u Alexo trembled and the Prince p,
.r-ded.
"Put on thy cap, boy-the sun is We
nor nigh binding thee: and put away thy Il
::ssS lets---ti,ere's no occasion for them. Ih
os- canst use thy tongue with me-.
Alexo looked up. amazed and terrihed
- II l.. w thou hast one although 1t !
b been dumb here III Milan. Nay. never f
me:.-thy secrets are safe with ne
- The pages features expressed distrust a
uneasiness.
"Dost thou tear to confide in me?"
Alexo bowed his head by way OF reply
Il "Have not guessed two of thy seer
VI Yes or no?"
II Again Alexo's head bowed itself
.'Tnou art obstinate; It's the fault of
sex 10 he so. What mystery is there ali
thee? Wilt thou not speak,"
AleIo wrote lew words on his tab
then hastily rubbed them out again.
''By st. Peter. bu' thou art proi
IL mos, difficult to solve! CaIst not rel
q thy-elf unto ineligible language. and
;. wherefore thou art thus masauerading
q Al.xo stirred not muscle.
O. 9n Wilt thou change masters and TAX,
- in place of the Count? III double
~ wages, be they whatsoever they may
" Aiexo had taken up his tablet. III c
to VT ,e, when he was checked by
u Prince.
s "Come, be honest, and make use o,
20. tongue and voice which heaven hath
z thee. Let me narra;e thy history Tor
lOD~ Ii, Q, a, L. RI fny fl,a