Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-05-23

swiftly through our vcins-it is warm
as wine and sunlight, and needs no
fictitious stmulant. We love, we de-
sire, we possess; and then? We tire,
YOU say? These southern races are so
tickle. All wrong-wc are less tired
than YOU deem. And do not English
men tire? Have they no secret ennui at
times when sitting in the chimney
nook of "home. sweet home" with
their fat wives and cverspreading
families? Truly, yes! But they are too
cautious to say so.
need not relate the story Of my
courtship-it was brief and sweet as
song Sing perfectly. Thee were no
obstacles. The girl sought was the
only daughter of Il ruined Florcntine
noble of dissolute character, who
gained bare subsistence by frequent
ing tho gaming tables. His child had
been brought up in a convent re-
nowncd for strict discipline-she knew
nothing of the world. She was. as he
assured me with maudlin tears i'll his
eyes. "as innocent as a flower on the
altar of the Madonna" I believed
him-for what could this lovely. youth
full. low-voiced maiden know of even
gather so fair lily for my own proud
wcaring-and her father gladly gave
her to me. no doubt inwar,lly congrat-
ulating himself on the wealthy match
that had fallen to the lot of his dover
less daughter.
We were married at the end of June.
and Guido Ferrari graccd our bridal
with his handsome and gallant pres
encc.
by the body of Bacchus." he ex-
claimed to me when the nuptial cere-
mony was over. thou hast prolited by
my teaching, Fabio! a quiet rogue is
often most cunning! Thou hast rtled
the caskct of Venus, and stolen her
faircst jewel-thou hast secured the
loveliest maiden in the two Sicilies!'
pressed his hand and a touch of
remorse stole over me. for he was no
longer first in my affection. l almost
regretted it-yeS. on my very wedding
morn ] looked back to the old days
old now though so rccent-and sighed
to think they were ended. glanced
at Nina. my wife. 1t was enough.
Her beauty dazZlcd and ovcrcame me.
The melting languor of he large impid
eyes stole into my veinS-l forgot all
but her. was in that high dclirium
of passion in which love, and love
only. seems the Keynote of creation.
! touched the topmost peak of the
height of joy-the days We're fcastS of
fairyland. the nights dreams of rap
turc. No. | never tired. My wife's
beauty never pallcd upon me: she
grew fairer With each day of posses
sion. l never saw her otherwise than
attractive. and within a few months
she had probcd all the depths of my
nature. She discovered how certain
sweet looks of hers could draw me to
her side. Il willing and devoted slave;
she measured my weakness with
own power; she knew-what did
not know? l torture myself
these foolish memories. All men past
the age of twenty have learned some
what of the tricks of womcn-the
pretty. playful nothings that weaken
the will and sap the force of the
strongest hero. She loved me? Oh,
yes. suppose so! Looking back on
those days | can frankly say ] believe
she loved meas nine hundred wives
out of n thousand love their husbands,
namely-for what they can get. And
grudgcd her nothing. If l chose to
I idcaliZe her and raise her to the stat
ure of an angel when she was on the
low level of mere wOmanhood, that
was my folly. not her fault.
| We kept open house. Our villa was
place of rendezvous for the leading
members of the best society in and
around Naples. My wife was univcr-
J sally admired; her lovely face and
graceful manners were themes of con-
vcrsation throughout the whole neigh
borhood Guido Ferlslr. my friend.
was one of those who were loudest in
her praise and the chivalrous homage
lie displayed towards her doubly en-
deared him to me. trusted him as n
brother: he came and went as pleased
him; he brought Nina gifts of flowers
and funcful trities adapted to her
and delicate Kindness deemed my
happiness perfcct-with love. wealth
and friendship, what more could Il
man desire!
Ycl another drop of honey was add
cd 10 my cup of sweetness. ON the
first morning of May. 1882. our child
WAS born-a girl babe. fair as one ot
The white anemoneS which at that
season ZION tlllcklN III tle WOODS SUI
rounding our home. They brought TIL,
little one 10 me in the shaded vcran
dah where | sat at breakfast Will
Guido-a tiny, almost shapclcsS bun
die. wrapped in soft cashmere and ole
lace. ] took the fragile thing in my
arms with Il tender reverence: il
opened its eyes: they We're large ant
dark like Nina'S. and the light of re
cent heaven seemed still To lingcr il
their pure depths. kissed the little
face: Guido did the same: and thos,
clear. quiet eyes regarded us botl
With 81 strange. hnlf-inQuiripg solem
nifty. y bird perched on bough %
jessaminc broke into Il low, swee
song, the soft wind blew and seat
tered the petals of Il white rose at on
feet. gave the infant back to til,
nurse, who waited to receive it, ant
said with a smile: Tell my wife w
have welcomed her May blossom"
Guido laid his hand Oh my shouldc
as the servant retired; his face wa
unusually pale.
Thou art good fellow, Fabio. Ii