The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1893-11-18

4
Thus set apart and averse to all fat
teries, she led her own life, amid the
festivities and the constant noise and
confusion of the house.
But one evening she discovered among
the crowd y newcomer-blond and
handsome like herself, and like herself
sad. timid and embarrassed. At once
secret sympathy attracted her toward
young Mario. It seemed to her that she
might be able to comfort him with her
words, for surely he cherished . deep
sorrow In his heart, since his dne facs
never frightened with lively color, and
his eyes often glistened a. If with 70.
strained tears.
He welcomed sympathy 80 eagerly
that it appeared as il he sought her, az
II 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 tho reception evenings of the
splendid countess together. Annella 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 specialized 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, reioiced
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 tho
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 so9 Of course, natural
timidity-the fear of troubling her
simple life. He was so noble, her Mariol
But finally he must explain himself.
Oh! 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 her?
One evening when they were alone in |
the shadow Of the little yellow drawing |
room Mario suddenly let himself 20.
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!"
Dear Amelia" Mario began, shave
You never asked yourself why l first
came to this house?"
"How should I? Chance perhaps. !"
Amelia, hardly able to con-
tain her JOY, while her heart cried out
the answer, For me, for me alone!"
ut was not chance, mol came here
led by passion alone. IL
loved and was wild with pain before l
set foot inside the house." declared Ma
rio.
Amelia trembled, not daring to inter-
rupt him, but she would have liked to
ling herself upon his neck without let-
ting him finish, and to say to him amid
world of kisses, ''Here is JOY for you!"
But he continued, II 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
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
hor hand. lyon indeed haxo co,nfor4oa