The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-02-24

fairs at once
mr.. Di Casoli," she faltered, you
know you said you wouldn't be offend
ed; but--are you engaged to Hermione
Douglass
He looked at her c%uriously.
NO." said he, II have not that hon
Or"
You promised, Mr.. Di Casoli!' plead
ed poor Bessie, in agony"
II promised what"
"Not to be angry"
Il am not angry, signorina-l mean
Miss Vane. Speak On!'
Because - "faltered Bessie Il
thought-our Tom-oh, Mr.. Di Casoli,
he loves Hermione so dearly-he has
loved her ever since they were children
together, and they were all but en-
gagged when you came here and spoil
cd it ALL"
The Count Di Casoli stroked his silk
en- mustache, with Il puzzled expression
of countenance.
'But-pardon-" he began-"I do not
see what / have to do with the matter"
Are you in love with HermioneY'
fatty demanded Bessie.
Strange as it may see, I am not"
Di Casoli answered, with the utmost
gravity.
Nor engaged to herY'
mo, nor engaged to her.
"But-but-"Bessie hesitated.
"Yesy
The questioning. brilliant eyes seem
ed to glow upon her like Jewels.
"She-said she liked Italians better
than any. one else. Mr.. DALEY heard
hcr-at the recption-day before yes
terday!!"
The count SMILED.
YES" said he, "she did say so. !
also heard her. The remark was made
in my presence. But, unluckily for my
self-csteem, we were speaking, not Of
individuals, but Of bees. Her father
has just received a few colonies Of fine
Italian bees, and it was Of them that
we were speaking. AS to the Italian
gentlemen, as compared with those
of this country, she has not expressed
an opinion"
Bessie's whole face had grown ra-
diant.
Mr.. Di Casoli," she said, twill YOU
promise me not to fall in love with
Hermione!I'm asking a great thing,
know. for Hcrmione is SO sweet and
beautiful, and [ don't see how any man
Ill UC Will AASl III AAOI AONS ASA.s Oo1
u Tom"
ut is asking a great deal,'' said Mr..
Di Casoli, so solemnly that Bessie start
ed back and shrank within herself like
a sensitive plant at the touch Of a pro-
flaming finger. II can only consent on
n condition"
'What is that?' murmured palpitat-
ing Bessie.
THAT I may confide in YOU. Signor-
ina Bessie, even as you have confided
III me-" SAID Di Casoli, suiting his
voice to the confidential accent. "IIavc
] your c%onsent?"
'Yes, of COURSE" said Bessie, won
dtring what was coming next.
II am not in love with Miss Doug
las" confessed the count, because I
am in love with somebody else. If
you can use your influence with that
fair queen of my heart, to secure my
happiness, I will pledge myself sacred
ly never to interfere with the signor,
your brother"
But what can 1 do?" questioned
Bessie.
"You eau do e%7erythingw asserted
the count. 1.-THE rame of my queen is
Bessie Yane-she stands before me at
this instant. If she will take charge
Of my heart, it is safe forever. Cara
mia! Don't look at ne with those start.
led eyes. Just put your hand i'll mine,
and say: Marco, I 1--we your"
And in faltering accents Bessie re-
peated the lesson. Low as her voice
was. however, it satisfied Marco Di
Casoli.
"That w"s the way it happened -
said proud Mrs. Vane. ''It seems the
count had been in love with eBssie ever
since he first saw her. And Hermione
says she would have accepted Tom
long ago If he had but plucked up
courage and asked her. Is he going to
Canada? OF course not. now-why ON
earth should he 60 to Canada? But as
for little blue-eycl Bcss becoming a
ccLntess-I declare to gracious it does
not seem possible.
Nothing is too good for Bess," said
Cur Tom, who was fully aware of all
the benefits he had gained from his
sisters brave inter cession.