Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-08-19

Of Pristram and King Mark came to
my mind. He, Guido, like Tristram,
would in short space clasp the gem
med necklace round the throat OF one
as fair and false as the tabled Iseulte.
and I-should l figure as the wronged
king? How does the English laureate
put it in his idyl on the subject?
Marks way said Mark, and Glove
him through the BRAIN
Too sudden and sweet a death by far
flor such a traitor! The Cornish king
should have known how to torture his
betrayer. L knew-and [ meditated
deeply on every point of my design, as
[ sat alone for an hour after Ferrari
had left me. | had many things to do
IL had resolved on making myself a
parsonage of Importance in Naples, and
| wrote several letters and sent out
visiting-cards to certain Well-establish-
ed families Of distinction as necessary
preliminaries to the result 7 had in
view. That day, too, 1 engaged a valet
a silent and discreet Tuscan named
| VincenzO Flamma. He was an admir-
abb, trained servant-he never asked
questions too dignified to gossip.
and rendered me instant and implicit
Obedience-in fact, he was a gentle
man in his way, with far better man
ners than many who lay claim to that
| title. He entered upon his duties at
Cnce, and never did | know him to
| neglect the most tritiing thing that
could add to my satisfaction Or COM
him, and in attending to various lit
tie matters of business, the hours Slip
ped rapidly away, and in the after
noon, at the time appointed, l made
my way to Ferrar1s studio. L knew 1t
Of old had no need to consult the
card he had left with me on which the
address was written. 1t was a queer.
quantity built little place, situated at
the top Of an ascending road-its
windows commanded an extensive
view Of the bay and the surrounding
scenery. Many and many a happy
hour had | passed there before my
marriage, reading some favorite book,
or watching Ferrari as he painted his
crude landscapes and figures, most
of which | good-naturedly purchased
as soon as completed. The little
porch over-grown with star-jasmine
looked strangely and sorrowfully ia
mlliar to my eyes, and my heart ex-
perienced sickening pang of regret !
for the past, as l pulled the ben and |
heard the little tinkling sound to |
which was SO well acquainted Fer
rar1 himself opened the door to me
with eager rapidity-he looked ex-
cited and radiant.
Come in, come I'M" he cried, with |
effusive cordially. You will find |
everything in confusion, but pray ex-
cuse it. 1t is some time since 1 had |
any visitors. Mind the steps, contei-
the place is rather dark just here
every one stumbles at this particular |
corner"
So talking, and Laughing as he talk
ed, he escorted me uI the short mar
row flight Of stairs to the light airy |
room where he usually worked Glanc-
ing round it, saw at once the evil
dences of neglect and disorder-he |
had certainly not been there for many |
days, though he had made an attempt |
to arrange it tastefully for my recep-
ton. On the table stood large vase
OF flowers grouped with artistic ele- !
gdnce-I felt instinctively that my
wife had put them there. I noticed |
that Ferrari mad begun nothing new
al the finished and unfinished studies
L saw l recognized directly, I seated |
myself in an easy-chair and looked at |
my betrayer with a calmly critical eye.
He was what the English would call |
got up for effect" Though in black
he had dOnned a velvet coat instead of |
the cloth one he had worn in the
morning-he had a single white japon-
lea in his button-ho1e-his face was
PALE and his eyes unusually brilliant.
He looked his best-I admitted it, and |
could readily understand how an idle, |
pleasure-seeking feminine animal |
might be easily attracted by the purely |
physical beauty of his form and fea-
lures. L spoke a part of my thoughts |
aloud
''You are not only an artist by pro-
fessicn, SignOr Ferrari-you are one
also in appearance"
He flushed slightly and smiled.
You are very amiable to say SOL /
he replied, his pleased vanity display
ing itself at once in the expression of |
his face. But L am we'll aware that |
you tiatter me. By the way, before | |
forget it, must tell you that | fulfilled |
your commission
To the Countess Romani?"
Exactly. l cannot describe to you |
her establishment and delight at the !
splendor and brilliancy of those jew
els you sent her. 1t was really pretty
to watch her innocent satisfaction
L laughed.
marguerite and the Jewel song In
Faust l suppose, with new scenery
and effects?' [ asked, with a slight
sneer. He bit his lip and looked an
rCyed. But he answered, quietly:
Il see you must have your joke,
CCrte: but remember that if you place
the countess in the position Of Mar
guerite, you, as the giver of the jewels,
naturally play the part of Mephis-
tophelGS."
And you will be Faust, Of counsel"
| said payly ''Why We might mount