Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-11-07

Precisely; I congratulate you!" ]
said studiously Indifferent and slight
~ bored tone, though my heart pulsed
6ercely with the torrent of wrath pent
up within it. I understood his mean.
ing we'll. In six months he purposed
marrying my wife. Six morths was
the shortest possible interval that
coald be observed, according to social
etiquette, between the death of one
husband and the wedding of another,
and even that was so short as to be
barely decent. Six months-yet in
that space of time much might happen.
things undreamt of and undesired-
slow tortures carefully measured
out, and punishment sudden and
heavy! Wrapped in these sombre mus
ings walked beside him in profound
silence. The moon shone brilliantly
groups Of girls danced on the shore
with their lovers. to the sound of q
flute and mandolin-far off across the
bay the sound of sweet and plaintive
singing 1oated from some boat in the
distance, to our earS-the evening
breathed of beauty, peace and love.
But my fingers quivered with re-
strained longing to be at the throat of
the graceful liar who sauntered so
easily and confidently beside me. All,
heaven, if he only knew! If he could
have realized the truth, would his face
have worn quite so careless q smile,
would his manner have been quite
so free and dauntless? Stealthily I
glanced at him-he was humming a
tune softly under his breath, but feel
ing instinctively, suppose that my
eyes were upon him. he interrupted
the melody and turf ed to me with the
question.
you have Travelled far and seen
much, Conte?"
Il have.''
"And in what country have you
found the most bea utifui women ~
Pardon me, young SIR" answered
coldly, 'the business of life has separ-
ated me almost entirely from feminine
society. 1 have devoted myself exclu-
eively to the amassing of wealth. I'M
Outstanding thoroughly that gold is the
key, to all things, even to woman's
loye.-if I desired that latter commo-
dity. which 1 do not,-I fear that I
scarcely know a fair face from a plain
one-I never was attracted by women,
and now at my age, with my settled
habits am not likely to alter my op-
Unions concerning them-and frankly
confess those opinions are the reverse
of favorable
Ferrari laughed. you remind me of
Fabio!' he said. s'He used to talk in
that strain before he was married
though he was young and had none of
the experiences which may have made
YOU cynical, Conte! But he altered his
ideas very rapidly-and no wonderw
rs his wife so very lovely then?" l
asked.
Very! Delicately, daintily, beauti-
full. But no doubt you will see her for
you:self;-as friend of her late hus-
bands father. you will call upon her,
will you not?"
Why should To- 1 said gruffly. II
have no wish to meet her! Besides, an
inconsolable widow seldom cares to re-
ceiye visitors-I shall not intrude upon
her Sorrows!''
Never was there better move than
this show of utter Indifference I af-
fec'ed. The less l appeared to care
about seeing the Countess Romani,
the more anxious Ferrari was to in
1l"duce me-Gntroduce me! !.
to my wife! .)-and he set to
work preparing his own doom with as
siluous ardor.
"oh. but you must see her.'he ex-
claimed eagerly. "She will receive
you. ! am sure, as special guest.
Your age. and your former acquaint-
ance with her late husbands family.
will win from her the utmost cour-
tssy, believe me. Besides she is not
really inconsolable! ;" He paus-
cd suddenly. We have arrived at the
entrance to my hotel. looked at him
steadily.
"Not really inconsolable?" 1 repeated
In tone of inquiry. Ferrara broke
into a forced laugh.
"Why nO!' he said. "What would
you? She is young and light hearted
perfectly lovely and in the fitness of
youth and health. One cannot expect
her to weep long, especially for a man
she did not care for"
l assembled the hotel steps. "Pray.
come in!' said with an inviting move
ment of my hand, "You must take a
glass Of wine before you leave. And
so she did not care for him.
you say!
Encouraged by my friendly invita-
ton and manner, Ferrari became more
at his ease than ever, and hooking his
arm through mine as we crossed
through the broad passage of the hotel
together, he replied in confidential
tone
My dear Conte, how can woman
love man who is forced upon her by
her father for the sake Of the money
he gives her? AS told you before nv
AAG,M ->.>5 ~
I .;: Il 81 ~