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

neatly packed, light burdens in appear
Iance, but in truth. terrible heav!
and soul-crushing"
Vet many accept such burdens gay
ly!" interrupted Ferrari, with a smile
L glanced at him kearly.
Men seldom attain the mastery
ever their passions" I replied; ''the!
are in haste to seize every apparen
pleasure that comes in their way. LIE
Ey hot animal impulse which the.
call love, they snatch at a woman
beauty as a greedy schcol-bov snatche
ripe fruit-and WheE possessed, wha
is it worth? Here is the emblem
ard | held up the stone of the peacl
had just eaten-'the fruit is de
Eoured-what remains? A stone with
kernel"
Fe1rari shrugged bis shoulders.
L cannot agree with you, count,
he said; bat l will not argue will
you. From your point of view you may
be right-hut when one is young. anC
life stretches before you like srlnligh.
falling on flowers, You too must hay.
felt this-in spite of what you say
there must have been time in your
life when you also loved"
oh, | have had my fancies. of
counsel" I answered, with an indif-
fernt laugh. The woman 1 fancied
turned out to be g, saint was not
worthy of her-at least, so [ was told.
At any rate, was sc Convinced of her
virtue and my own unworth1ness-
| that left her"
He looked surprised. An odd rea-
son, surely, for resigning her, was it
not?''
Very odd-very unUsual-but a suf-
ticient one for me. Pray let US talk
OF something more interestirg-your
pictures, for instance When may I
see them?"
When you please" he answered.
readily though [ fear they are scarce
~ worth visit. I have not worked
much lately. l really doubt whether I
have any that will merit your notice"
You underrate your powers, signor,''
| said, with formal politeness. ALLOW
me to call at your studio this after
noon. L have few minutes to spare
between three and four O'Clock, If
that time Will suit you"
1T will suit me admirably" he said.
with look of qualification; but l
fear you will be disappointed. as
sure you 1 am no artist
l smiled. l knew that we! enough.
But l made no reply to his remark
| said, Regarding the matter of the
jewels for the Countess Romani-
would you care to see them?"
Il should indeed" he answered.
they are unique specimens, Think"
Il believe so,' | answered, and 60
ing to an escritoire in the corner of
the room, unlocked it and took out
massive carved oaken jewel-chest of
square shape, which l had had made
in Palermo. 1t contained a necklace
Of large rubies and diamonds, with
bracelets to match, and pins for the
hai1-also a sapphire ring-a cross of
fine rose-brilliants, and the pearl pen
dant | had first found in the vault. All
the gems, with the exception of this
pendant had been reset by a skillful
jeweler in Palermo, who had acted I'M
der my superintendent and Ferrari
uttered an exclamation of astonfsn-
ment and admiration as he lifted the
glittering toys out one by one and
noted the size and brilliancy of the
precious stones.
They are trifies,' | said, carelesslv
but they may please a woman's
taste-and they amount to a certain
fixed value. You would do me q great
sci vice if you consented to take them
to the Contessa Romani for me-tell
her to accept them as heralds of my
forthcoming visit. l am sure you will
know how to persuade her to take
what would unquestionably have been
hers had her husband lived They are
really her prcperty-she must not re-
fuse to receive what is her own
Fe1rari hesitated and looked at me
earnestly.
You Will visit her-she may rely On
your coming for certainty, 1 hope?"
L smiled. You seem very anxious
about it. May L ask why?"
Il think" he replied at once, that
it would embarrass the COUNTIES very
much if you gave her no opportunity
to thank you TO-: so magnificent and
splendid a gift-and unless she knew
she could do so, l am certain she
We uld not accept it,
Make yourself quite easy" an
swe1ed. She shall thank me to her
hearts content. I give you my woci
that within few days l will call upon
the ledy-in fact, you said you would
irtI Cduce me- accept your offer!"
He seemed delighted, and Selling my
hard. shook it cordially
Then in that case l will gladly take
the jewels to her." he exclaimed. "A1i
| may say, count, that had you search
ed the whole world over, you could
not have found one whose beauty was
more fitted to show them off to advan-
tage. L assure you her loneliness is of
most exquisite characteri"
No doubt" l said, dryly. Il take
your word for it. | am no judge of a
fair face or form. And now, my good
friend, do not think me churlish if l
request you to leave me in solitude
for the present. Between three and
four o'clock L shall be at your studio. -
He rose at once to take his leave. |
placed the oaken box Of jewels in the