Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-12-05

him; 4 only sought to read his shall
low soul through and through, that
might be convinced of his utter worth
lessness. According to modern civil
lization there is really no special need
to be 5yirtuous unless it suits us. The
only thing necessary for pleasant liv-
ing is to avoid public scandal
Just sol! agreed Ferrari; land that
can always be easily managed.
Take woman's Notwithstanding
is so easily lost, we all know. before
she is actually married.; but marry her
we'll, and she is free She can have
Il dozen lovers if she likes, and if she
is good manager her husband need
never be the wiser. He has his
amours of course-why should she not
have hers also? Only some women arc
clumsy, they are over-sensitive and
betray themselves too easily: then the
injured husband carefully concealing
his own little peccadilloes) finds ev-
erything out and there is devil Of a
row-a moral row. which is the worst
kind of row. But rtllly clever
woman can always steer clear of SIAN
der If she likes"
Contemplate ruffian! I thought,
glancing ut the handsome face and
figure with scarcely yelled contempt.
With all his advantages of education
and his well-bred air he was yet ruff
fan to the core-as low in nature, if
not lower, than the half savage tramp
for whom no social law has ever exist
ed or will exist. But merely obsery-
ed:
ut is easy to see that you have a
thorough knowledge of the world and
its ways. admire your perception.
From your remarks l judge that you
have no sympathy with martial
wrongsy
Not the least he replied drily,
"they are too common, and too ludi-
crous The 'wronged husband as he
considers himself in such cases, al
ways cuts such an absurd figure"
Always" inquired, with apparent
curiosity.
We'll, generally speaking, he does.
How can he remedy the matter? He
can only challenge his wife's lover.
A duel is fought, in which neither of
the opponents are killed; they wound
each other slightly, embrace, weep,
have coffee together. and for the fu-
ture consent to share the hdy's affec-
tions alMcably."
"Veramenter' I exclaimed, with q
forced laugh, inwardly cursing his de-
tcstable fiippancy; that is the fash
ionable mode Of taking vengeance?'
Absolutely the one respectable way
of doing it, 2 he replied; "it is only the
canaille who draw hearts blood in
earnest =
Only the canaille! looked at him
fiXedly. His smiling eyes met mine
with a frank and fearless candor.
Evidently he was not ashamed of his
opinions. he rather gloried in them.
AS he stood there with his features
he seemed the very type Of youthful
and splendid manhood; an Apollo in
exterior-in mind Silenus Ny soul
sickened at the sight of him. 1 felt
that the soouer this strong treacterous
life was crushed the better; there
would be one less traitor in the world
at any rate. The thought Of my dread
but just purpose passed over Inc like
the breath of a bitter wind-a tremor
shook my nerves. My face must have
betrayed some sign of my inward
emotion, for Ferrari exclaimed.
"You are fatigued, conte? You are
ill? Pray take my ARM
He extended it as he spoke. put it
gently but firmly aside.
''It is nothing" said coldly; "a
mere faintness which often overcomes
me. the remains of a recent Illness -
Here glanced at my watch; the after
noon was waning rapidly.
eff you will excuse me- l contin-
ucd. 81 will now take leave of you.
Regarding the pictures you have per-
United me to select, my servant shall
call for them this evening to save you
the trouble Of sending them"
ut is no trouble" began Ferrari.
Pardon me-" I interrupted him;
''you must allow, me TO-. arrange the
matter in my own way. I am some
what self-willed. as you know"
He bowed and smiled-the smile of
courtier and sycophant-a smile I
hated. He eagerly proposed to ac-
company me back to my hotel, but
declined this somewhat peremptorily,
though at the same time thanking him
for his courtesy. The truth was, I had
had almost too much of his society;
the strain on my nerves began to tell;
craved to be alone. I felt that II l
were much longer with him I should
be tempted to spring at him and throt-
tie the life put Of him. AS it was. /
babe him adieu with friendly though
constrained politeness; he was pro-
fuse in his Acknowledgements of the
favor / had done him by purchasing
his pictures. I waived all thanks
aside, assuring him that my satisfac-
ton in the. matter far exceeded his
and that i was proud to be the pos
/, SCISSOR OF such valuable proofs of his
| genius. He swallowed my fiattery 81
eagerly as a fish swallows bait, and
we parted on excellent terms He
watched me from his door as walk
ed down the hilly road with the slow
and careful step OF an elderly man
once out Of his sight, however, quick
ened my pace, for the tempest of con
fiicting sensations within me made Il
difficult for me to maintain even tn,
appearance OF composure. On enter
Ing my apartment ut the hotel the frs
thing that met my eyes was q larg,
gilt Osier basket, filed with fine fruit
and flowers. placed conspicuOusly OF
the center table.
summoned my valet. "Who sen
this" l demanded.