Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-06-20

H"htil ol,eu llle SOlllll Ill winch l. lay at
peace. What was dcath-what were
the horrors Of the vault-wlat was
anything | had suffered to the anguish
that rackctl me now? The memory of
it to this day burns in my brain like
lncXtingnshable fire, and my hand in
voluntarily clcnclles itself in an effort
to beat back the furious bitterness of
that moment. know not how re-
strained the murdcrous fcrocity that
awoke within mellow forced myself
to remain motionlesS and silent in INV
hiding place. But l did. watched the
miserable comedy out to its end. l
looked dumbly on at my own betrayal.
| saw my honor stabbed to the death
by those whom ] trusted, and yet 1
gave no sign They-Guido Fcrrari
and my wife-came so close to my
hiding place that ! could note every ges-
lurc and hear every word they uttered.
They paused within three steps of me
his arm cncircled her waist-hers WAS
thrown carclessly around his neck-hcr
head rested on his shoulder.
Even so had she walked with me n.
thousand times! She was dressed in
pure white save for one spot of decp
color near her heart, a red rose. as red
as blood. 1t was pinned there
with diamond pin that flashed in the
moonlight. / thought wildly. that in
stead of that rose, there should be
blood lndccd.-inStcad of Il diamond pin
there should be the good steel of a
straight dagger! But had no weapon
i stared at her. dry eyed and mute
She locked lovcly-cxquisitely lovely.
No trace of grief married the fairness
or her face-hcr eyes We're as langllilly
lllnplu and tender as cvcr-hrr lips
We're parted in the clildlike smile that
was so Swet-so innoccntly trustful.
Sh" spoke-ah heaven. the old be
witching music of her low voice made
my heart leap and my brain reel.
"lcu foolish Guido" she said in
drramily amused accents" What would
have happened. | wonder, if Fabio had
not died so opport,mely:"
l waited eagerly for the answer.
Guido laughed lightly.
HE would never have discovered any
thing. You We're too clever for him.
piccinina! Besides, his conccit saved
him-hc had so good an opinion of him
self that he would not have deemed it
possible for you to care for any other
man.
My wifc-fawless diamond-pearl Of
pure womanhood!-sigh half rest
lessly.
Il am glad he is dead!" she mur-
INJURED; but Guido, milo, you are i'm
prudent. You cannot visit ME now so
often; the servants will talk. Then l
must so into mourning for at least
six months: and there are many other
Things to consider" Guido'S
hand played with the jeweled necklace
she Wore: he bent and kissed the place
where its central pendant rested.
AEain-aSain. good sir. pray YOU.
Let no faint scruples interfere with
your rightful enjoyment. Cover the
white flesh with caresscs-it is public
property! Il dozen kisses more
or less will not signify. SO l madly
thought as ! crouched among the trees
the tigcrish wrath within me making
the blood beat in my head like a hui.
urcd hammer strokes.
Nay. then my love-" he replied to
her. "it is almost Il pity Fabio is dead,
While he lived he played an excellent
| part as screen; he was an uncon-
sclous but veritable duenna of propri-
city for both of us. as no one else could
be-"
The boughs that covered me creakcd
and rustled. My wife started and
looked uncasily around her.
"HuSh!" she said nervously. s'He
was buried only yesterday; and they
say there are ghosts sometimes. .
| This avenue. too. wish we had not
come here; it was his favorite walk.
Besides" she added. with slight ac-
cent of regret. "aftcr all he was the
father of my child, you must think of
| that.
by hcaven." exclaimed Guido al
mos, fcrcely. do not think of it:
Ay. and curse him for every kiss he
stole from your lipS!"
listened half supplied. Here was
Il new phase of the marriage law
Husbands We're thieves then; they
stole kisses; only lovers were honest
in their embraces! Oh, my dear
friend! my more than brother-how
near you were to death at that mo.
ment! Had you but seen my face
peering pallidly through the dusky
leaves; could you have known the
force OF the fury pent up within me
you would not have valued your life
at one baiocco.
"Why did you marry him?" he asked
after a little pause, during which lie
tOyed with the fair curls that floateG
against his breast.
she looked up with little mutinous
pout. and shrugged her shoulders.
"Why? Because | was tired of thu
convent and all the stupid. solemn
ways OF the nuns; also because he wa.
\ rich and | WAS horribly moor 7 can
not bear to be poor! Then he loved
me-" here her eyes glimmered will
malicious triumph. Yes, he was mac
for me. and"
You loved him?' demanded Guild,
almost fiercely.
MA chel" she answered with an ex
pressive gesture. 81 suppose I did
for n week or two. What does on,
marry for at all? For convenience
money, position; he gave me thes
things, as you know"
you will gain nothing by marryin,
me them" he said jealously.