New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14

| I do not. Pictrasanta mentioned your name' anu
accidentally broke n glass at almost the sa'''o
moment. Then discussion arose about the en-
istence OF such q thing as the evil eye an"
Campodonico and talked about 1t across vi.
table. while everybody listened. We exchange"
n few rather incsive remarks but nothing ''o'e
That was the end of the matter. so lar as
vou were concerned. and IL was owing to TINS
discussion that people said we fought on your
.ccount." tab.
IL Sec" said Laura. 1T was all mstahe'
.hcn?" -;
syca. But I suppose Campodonico was irri-
tated. In the diawing-room III cigare'n' ""u
stood some time looking at copy OF Ilchy 3
picturc OF Tamara falling into the Demon "''''
Tamara chances TO be very striking Likeness 0,
,ho Princess Corleone and if / had reflected
that Compodonico might have also noticed ''e
fact. I would not have stood there looking ~
IL nc did. But l forgot. Before Khc"
IL no was at my elbow. evidently very angry
for no perfectly understood why l liked inc
n,c.ure He asked me whether l did not tilhK
that n solemn promise such as we had maui
might be broken under certain CIRCUMSTANCES
said | did not think so. lie lost HIS ,c'ip ',
completely. and said ! was coward. sum
retuscd 20 quarrel with him. and he grew more
and more insulting. until ~ ia'o
hocor a sentence which would not let h''
ond On the effect that il Donna biah.a
could have been there to judge us DOM Sic ms
wish the promise brOSen-l suppose 'na' VIZ"
have been his inference-if she coulu h"'' 'e.
that the man she had loved had 1aiieh 50 ~" 90
to love the lady TO whom reierreu i.''o - w.,
aro Ia named her. | answered that Donna
Blanca never meant that our promise shoul" s','.'
Tho liar who slandered good and deienceiess
oh
don,co We told our seconds that we had quar-
relied about the talent of Itchy, the painter OIL
tho nicturc because no immediate and better en-
cuse suggested itself That is the whole Story
at is q very strange one, said Laura III
low voice. and looking up at his pale lace !,
people only knew the truth about what they see
Tell me. Signor Ghislcr, is it fact that 20"
did not fire at him?'
"Ies"
why did you not?' $50,
"Because-if you really care to know-l stu
felt bound to my promise, and should new,
have forgiven myself if | had hurt him. VIII
you say that you understand the rest OF the s'ors'
and will you forgive me if let it be thought tla'
the duel was about you?"
Indeed, forgive you," Laura answered, WIN,
out hesitation You acted splendldly all
through. and l would not
please do not raise me-" said GhislerL inter
rupting her with word and gesture " ha'e'er
did was only the consequence OF former actions
of mine, most of which were bad in themselves
Besides, have told you all this by way oil an
apology anu thank you very sincerely for ac-
cepting it. Let the matter end there.
=" Very well. That need not prevent me irom
thinking what please, need 1t 7"
Il shall always be really grateful for any klna
Laura was silent for moment She was sur
prised to find that her old feeling or dislike lor
him had greatly diminished. She had not even
noticed il when he had entered the room, for she
had been at once struck BY his appearance OF Ill
health, and her first instinct had been that OF
sympathy for him. And now, whatever ehect ms
personality produced on her, she could hardly
conceal her admiration Of his conduct. lie had
told the story very simply, and she felt that ne
Judge Of the man from new point Of view. She
could not but appreciate the courage he had shown
in bearing insult, and at last, in not returning lis
adycrsary's fire, and he in her estimation De
cause he had done these things for the sake OF a
woman re had really loved. go
May L ask you one question: she inquired
after the pause
"Of course, and will answer it if can"
IL dare say you remember something you told
me about yourself long time ago.how you DIS
trust yourself and torment yourself about every
thing you do. Will you tell me whether you have
found any fault with your own conduct In tins
affair." apart from everything which went before
the dinner party at which you pet Don Gi'nfor'e
Ghsleri thought his answer for a few
seconds before he gave it.
Except in SO far as l involved your name in
the affair he said. = do not think rcproach my
self with anything very definite:
lie had hardly finished speaking when the door
opened and Donald announced Don francesca
and Donna Adele Savelli A very slight shadow
passed over Lauras face as She rose 10 meet her
stepslster but Ghiseri remained cold and impas--
done, when she him, and Ghlslcri was struck
by the change liz her own appearance. Her cx
preston was that of a woman who is in almost
constant pain. and who has grown restless under
1t, and fears its return at any moment Her
eyes turned uneasiiy, glancing about the
room in all directions, and avoiding the faces OF
those present She was pale. too. and looked al
together ill.,
II am 50 glad to see you, Ghslcri,7 she said,
after she had kissed the air somewhere in the
ncighborhood OF Lauras check. . had no idea
you were out already, and going away
tomorrow was afraid might not meet you
Are you going out of town so soon :" asked
Ghiseri, in some surprise.
"Yes, i am ilh and they say must go to the
country. DO YOU remember when You met M III
the street. and recommended sulphonal? took
it, and il did me good for some time BIT then,
all at once. found it did not act well. and |
lost my sleep again. | want the doctors TO give
me- something. but they say all those things be-
come habit-choraA you know. and morphine.
and great many things. As il cared! would
not mind any habit if could only secp-and |
see things all nishtmash j. is horrible Have
dreadful thing i'll the world
She shuddered. and Ghisleri could see well
enough that the suffering to which she referred
not at all imaginary.
NO" he answered Il have never had any
thing of that kind. When 60 10 bed at all l
sleep five or six hours very soundly,'
How i envy YOU that Even five or six
hours-I who used to sleep nine. and always ten
after ball. And now | very often do not close
my eyes all night. The sulphonal did me so much
good Can YOU not tel me of something else?
The best way to get over it would be to find
out what causes it. and cure that" observed
Ghisleri. Generally. too, quiet and healthy
life exercise. plain food, and good conscience
will do good" lie laughed little as he spoke.
and then he noticed that Adc,' looking at
him rather strangely. lie wondered idly whether
her mind wandering in some other direction.
"Of course he continued. You have no idea
Of what produces the trouble. If you could find
that out il would be simpler
Yes. indeed" assented Adele. with q forced
smile. d" If all that is necessary were to have n
good conscience and walk an hour two every
day. ! should soon get we'll
Il have no doubt YOU will in any case. Are