Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-02-28

L was too angry to be honorab
enough to make myself known
first, and after that it was too lat
for he vas saying, hurriedly: "Ye
say you cannot. Carlotta: why?"
Because" she replied, steadily.
shall marry anyone bur"
Anyone but" he repeated: sc
on, Carlotta, is it someone here
F~lorence?"
yes" she answered, Dravely: at
Guido Ferrara."
"Guido." he cried, in astonishmen
I did not dream of him! Why. he
a mere boy! Oh. my darling!" b
burst out, suddenly, 81 cannot civ
you up to him! Come with me to Ems
land as my wife, Carlotta, and I wi
love you and care for you more tina.
he ever can. We will travel to Naples
TO Greece, where you will! To beautt
full lands where we shall live an,
love each other only. In Londol
what you will shall be yours to com
mands. Oh, my love, do not tell m
no! l cannot bear it!''
[ could e her through the palms
and L wonder my eyes did not burr
themselves into her consciousness
n a with her face buried in he,
hands; he bent over her and drew
them gently away"
look at me-" he said.
Il cannot; 1 am afraid" sue an
Siyered him, in a low to-e.
Look at me-" he repeated. Then
she raised her face and her eyes met
him; and then-I could have cried out
aloud with the pain, for their lips had
met.
She drew back with something like
a sob and covered her face again with
her hands.
MY little love!" he said, tenderly,
Il love you-love you, my darling
[ will not give you up. You will
with me?"
She shook her head silently.
"You will come with me?' he repeat
taking her hands away again and
holding them closely. There was no
answer.
Look up, my darling" he breathed.
Say you will come!'
For just a moment she struggled.
then she looked up.
Il will-ask Guido" she said.
In a few minutes all was owe 1
had come before them suddenly, and
told her in a voice whose calm
ness surprised me, that she was free.
and | had complimented him on the
,ewel of fidelity he had won. Then |
eft the house.
For a week l did not see Carlotta.
Ter fatner palpably avoided me and
morning l learned that Signore
had a position as instructor
n an art school in Naples; that the
signOre had left the Villa Franco; and
hat the artists daughter, Carlotta,
lad gone to London, the bride of the
1nglishman.
| sang my engagement through in
Florence. l plunged into the whirl of
social gayety in which l had become
of the favOrites suddenly. 1 en-
gagged three seasons ahead, and left
Florence. That was my outward exist
.nce. Do not ask me what my inward
ife was.
Two years passed. I sang my second
season in Naples, my third in Rome.
The coming one 1 was to be in Lon
ion-great, busy London, which 1 had
lever seen.
My life everyone told me was an
deal me l was wealthy enough to
10 exactly as l pleased in so far as
wealth will yer give that power. I
lad acquired a reputation beyond my
Widest hopes or dreams; and 1 was
and fattered and sought for
" many beautiful women in the cities
where 1 sang. From each one l turned
way YEARLY. What right had she to
oppose she could please me? She was
Carlotta Verniti.
SO l found one day that l had gained
n some way the reputation of being
woman hater.
A certain count-Ludolph. 1 think
vas his name-whOm l had pleased at
he theater in Rome, came for me to
trivial in London.
"Well," he said to me, as we sat to-
over our wine, Woman hater
S you are, make up your mind. Guido,
o be vanquished utterly"
II a Woman-hater" 1 said, II assure
OH NV doom cn,1rt Won q no n1iCta 1yon {,
do you attempt to deny it," he said,
it is well-knOwn. But there is a
here more beautiful than any
have seen. More enchanting, more
Utterly bewitching-ah!" he broke off,
of what use? No one can describe
"Who is she?" I said a little amused,
)ut little interested. He shook his
lead.
"You shall see," he said. "You will
meet her this evening. Be prepared!'
Then, in answer to my look Of in
JURY, II forgot to tell you" he added.
that we have cards for a ball tonight
given by the Marquise re la Froisart,
wife of the French ambassador"
SO in a little while we We're stand
ng in the ballroom of the Marquise;
had, of course, been presented to her
md had danced with her, and was
beginning to feel a little weary when
The count sought me out.
Gomez he said. "She has but just
arrived"
l followed him down the length Of
the crowded room till we Joined a little
group of four or five around a slight
figure in white with a cluster of Grim
roses in her hand. She was out