Connecticut western news., 1895-07-18
THE SPIDERS WEB

Rosy complexioned and in her fresh spring toilet, she was truly beautiful Under her long silky lashes her azure eyes had soft caressing light that illu- mined her face with kindliness. The form, though somewhat slender, was we'll modelled, and the lines of the neck set off all the atSractiyeness of a head encirc1ed by profusion of blond locka
 This was the beautiful and graceful Paolctta, Giorgio's young wife In a carriage the newly welded pair were proceeding rapidly along the sun filled riveribank, thinking of some way ofiem- ploying the day.
 Tie carriage paused to allow them to admire the flowers upon 8 spur of the incline, where the vines, like wild nests, stretched from distance to distance, half concealed by the trees.
 "Do you wish to go up there" asked Paoletta
 She pointed with her delicate hand, from which she had drawn her glove, to the heights of Bellevue.
 "Forwhat?" Giorgio asked.
 "We might see house that would suit us-you know we ought to be look ing for one" said Paoletta~ "We can inquire at the inn"
 Giorgio hesitated-
 "What of our journey to St. Cloud?" he asked.
 ''Let it be postponed for awhile.
 He did not answer immediately. Fi- nally he said half reluctantly: "As you will Itreally makes no difference where we live so long as we are together.
 She looked at him brightly, and they descended from the carriage and took their way toward tho bank of the Seine. The inn was deserted.
 "Let us mount into that little bal cony," she said. "There IS a fine view from there.
 "As you please"
 Soon the sun shone less brightly, for Q space shone pallid, then vanished. Great clouds heaped themselves up about them, rapid and compact. A strong wind blew, and large drops of water be- gan to fall.
 Where should they take refuge?
 'Therel'' said Paoletta-
 With her hand she indicated cottage, upon the threshold of which an old woman stood.
 Giorgio suddenly blushed crimson, but accompanied his wife in silence.
 "It is for rent; it can be looked over," said the woman, who hoped to find tenants in this handsome young couple.
 Giorgio did not respond, but while Paoletta examined the apartments he regarded with interest this slight, box like construction, so simply made.
 As soon as his wife called him he en- tered the house. A vision of the past rose in his mind He saw the garden, the arbor, the honeysuckle and ivy, now nothing more than mass of green foli- age, under which was hidden a little bench covered with moss and gone to decay. A marble dove, blackened by moisture, had been for long years the sole spectator of this devastation.
 Ut is ten years since the house was left tenantless,' prattled the old wom- an. "The proprietor, who was eccen- tric, did not wish to let it. But now he is dead, and have been directed to have card put up. The necessary repairs will be made.
 Paoletta laughed aloud with happy, childhke pleasure. "Are you willing to rent this house, Giorgio?" she asked.
 "The air might be too bracing fo1 you, my dear"
 "But not more so than everywhere ir the country" put in the old woman. Besides, the rent is so ittle-40( francs a year.
 ''It is very reasonable, said Paoletta. 1T shall be delighted to live here. Come let us visit the rooms. am charmed with the whole place. He followed her, examined some apartments decorated with gray paper and red flowers, looked into the dining hall with windows looking upon the | Seine, and as he glanced about all tho | past returned to his memory. No longer was it Paoletta who was before him but Chiara, the girl he had first loved and whom he had often seen seated il this little hermitage, to which he hat | by chance returned. He had lost her while the cup of lov' was still full But he forgot her ill tim' and married the pretty Paoletta, whom he loved Yet frequently when with he, shadow passed before him-the shadow of young and lovely woman. A week later found them settled il ! the cottage The outdoor life was great benefit to Paoletta, who had beer 1 something of an invalid. It was ar ranged that they should pass the winte in the country.
 Every day Giorgio went to bushes in the city, leaving Paoletta alono. Tn young wife, busy with her new cares was happy and contented. She adore music and played great deal ill ht hours of solitude.
 By and by she noticed that a lare spider came out of his lurking place listen to her. Joined by a long and slel der thread to the back of mirror, got himself well in evidence upon de-
 orated cornice, with his keen eyes, h
 long legs and remained immovable, {
 if hypnotized by tho soft harmonies
 Chopin.
 Paoletta gradually ceased to fear hin
 But when to this great spider were ad'