Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-08-08


II seemed q nst=rsl conclusion to draw
frEn the course of events He Is
yeun-. zndenizlsy handsome and on
his nncles death viii De wealthy
WHIST more could ron dsssre9 Besides.
he was your husbands friend
And for that reason 1 would never
ruarry him. she interrupted me with
q decided gessare. Even II 1 liked
him sufficiently. which I do not toh-
miserable rratgoress4. / would not run
the risk Of what tie world would say
Of such n marriage"
How. madame. Pardon me IL i
fail 20 comprehend yoa"
DO yoa not see, contey she wea on
IN a coaring voice SIS OF one that beg
gei 70 be believed IF / rel TO marry
one that was known TO have been my
husbands most intimate friend -
clety IS SO wicked-people would be-
sure 10 say that there had been some
thing between Us before my husbands
death. / know they would aid i
could not endure such SANDER
Murder VIII out" they say. Here
was guilt partially declaring itself. A
perfectly innocent oma could not
f0reses 50 readily the condemnation
OF society. Not having the knowledge
Of evil she would be unable TO calcu-
late consequences. The oyer-prudish
woman betrays herself; the fine lady,
who virtually shudders az the sight OF
q nude statue or picture, announces
al Once 10 all whom il may concern
that there is something far coarssr in
the suggestions Of her OWL mind than
So. -~w~b- - 49, al wwwlnrrnc hzn-
lutte purity has no fear Of social slam
der; il knows its wv value and that
IL must conquer in the end Ny wife
alas. that / should call her so-was
innately vicious and false: yet how
particular she was in her efforts TO Sc
cure the blind worlds good opinion,
Poor old world! how exquisitely 1t Is
fooled. and how good naturally II &C
cepts its fooIing. But l had 10 answer
the fair liar, whose net of graceful de-
ceptions was now spread TO entrsp
me; therefore I said with an effort at
courtesy:
NO one would dare to SANDER you,
contessa, in my presence" She bowed
and smiled prettily. But" l went on,
If it is tue that you have no liking
for Signor Ferrari-"
1T is true" she exclaimed with sud
den emphasis. He is rough and i'll
hammered; | have seen him the woss
for wine; sometimes he is insuTerabie.
/ am afraid Of him
| glanced at her quietly. Her face
had Paled, and her laIds, which were
busted with some silken embroidery,
trembled a little.
IN that case" / continued slowly.
though I am sorry for Ferrari, poor
fellow! he viii he immensely disap-
pointed / confess am glad in other
respects, because"
Because what?' she demanded ca
gerry.
Why" I answered. feignIng q little
embarrassment, because there will
be more chance for other men who
may seek 10 possess the hand Of the
accomplished and beautiful Contessa
RomanL.=
She shook her fair head slightly. A
transient expression Of disappoint-
nent passed over her features.
The other men you speak Of.
COnte, are not likely to indulge in
such an ambition" she said. with q
faint sigh; more especially" and her
eyes flashed Indignantly. since Sig
nor Ferrari thinks it his duty to
mount guard over me. 1 suppose he
wishes to keep me for himself-a most
impertinent and foolish notioni There
is only q thing 10 do shall leave
Naples before he returns"
Why / asked.
She flushed deeply. Il wish TO
avoid him." she said after a little
pause; Il tell you frankly, he has
lately given me much cause for an
noyance. l will not be prosecuted by
his attentions; and as | before said TO
you, / am often afraid OF him. Under
your protection / know i am quite
safe, but / cannot always enjoy that
The moment had come. I advanced
a step or two.
why notY' l said. at rests entire
ly with yourself"
She started and half rose from her
chair,-her work dropped from her
hands.
What do you mean, Confer she
faltered half timidly. yet ~anxiously;
II do not understand"
Il mean what / say" I continued in
cool hard tones, and STOPPING, / pick
ed up her work and restored il TO her:
but pray do not excite yourself. You
say you cannot always enjoy my pro-
lection: it seems TO me that you can
| by becoming my wife"
"Conte!!' she stammered. i held up
my hand as a sign to her TO be silent.
Il am perfectly aware" / went on
In ~business-like accents, "of the dis
parity in years that exists between Us.
/ have neither youth. health nor coed
| looks to recommend me to you. Trou-
BILE and bitter disappointment have
made me what l am But / have
wealth which is almost inexhaustible
i have position and iniuence-and
besides these things" and here | look
ed at her steadily, Il have an ardent
desire to do justice TO your admirable
qualities, and to give you all you de.
serve, ii you think You could be hap
IN with me speak ~frankly.-I cannot
offer yod tae passionate alteration OF
a u NANNY blood is cold and
my pulses slow-but what I can do
will"
Having spoken thus. I was SILENT
gazing at her intently. She pale& End
1 duGhad alfarna faIy and aaauad for a