Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-09-30

that graceful, gliding step that some
bow always reminded ME of the ap-
rroach of a panther, do you really
mean to tell me that his ~audacity has
reached such a height that-really II
Is too absurd, that he hopes to marry
me?" And sinking into a chair near
mine she looked at me in calm inquiry.
Lost in amazement at the Implicitly OF
the woman, / answered, briefly:
Il believe SO, He intimated as much
to me-"
She smiled s%cornfully.
Il am too much honored, And did
you. conte, think for a moment that
such an arrangement would meet with
my APPROVAL"
was silent. My brain was confused
II found Il difficult to meet with and
confront such treachery as this. What
Had she no conscience? Were all the
passionate embraces, the lingering
kisses, the vows of fidelity, and words
of caressing endearment as naught?
Were they all blotted from her mem
cry as the writing on a slate is wiped
out by a sponge, Almost | pitied
Gaido! His fate, in her hands, was
evidently to he the same as mine had
been: yet after all, why should | be
SUI prised? why should | PITY Had
not calculated it all? and was it not
Part of my vengeance?
Tell me-" pursued my wife's dulcet
voice, breaking in upon my reflections
did you really imagine Signor Fer
.rari's suit might meet with favor at
NY h1nds?"
! must ~speak-the comedy had to be
played out. SO | answered, bluntly:
Madame, / certainly did think o
II seemed a natural conclusion to draw
from the course of events. He is young,
%undeniably handsome, and on his I'M
cle's death will be fairly wealthy
what more could you desire? Besides,
he was your husbands friend
''Aud for that reason / would never
marry him" she interrul ted me with
a decided gesture. Even if | liked
him sufficiently, which do not (oh,
miserable traitress), II would not run
the risk Of what the world would say
OF such a marriage"
"How madame? Pardon me if | fail
to comprehend you"
do you not see, conte?" she went ON
begged to be believed. IF were to
marry one that was known to have
Eeen my husbands most intimate
friend, society is so wicked-people
would be sure to say that there had
been something between us before my
husbands DEATH know they would.
and | could not endure such SANDER"
Murder will cut they say, Here
was guilt partially declaring itself. A
perfectly innocent m could not
f]oIesee so readily the condemnation Of
society. Not having the knowledge of
evil she would be unable to calculate
the consequences. The o~verprudish
woman betrays herself; the fine lady
who virtually shudders at the sight of
a nude statue or picture, announces at
oace to all whom it may concern that
there is something far coarser in the
suggestions Of her own mind than the
work of art she conuemns. Absolute
purity has no fear of social SANDER; It
knows its own value, and that it must
conquer in the end. My ~wife-alas!
that ! should call her so-was ~innately
Vicious and false; yet how particular
she was in her efforts to secure the
blind worlds good opinion! Poor old
world, how exquisitely it is fooled, and
how Scod-uaturedly it accepts its fool.
ing! But | had to answer the fair
liar, whose net of graceful receptions
was now spread to entrap me; there
fore | said with an effort at courtesy:
mo one would dare to SANDER you,
contessa, in my presence She bowed
and smiled prettily. But" | went on.
'if it is true hat you have no liking for
Signor Ferrari-"
ut is true," she exclaimed with sud-
den emphasis. He is rough and i'll
hammered; | have seen him the worse
for wine; sometimes he is insufferablel
| am afraid of hint"
| granced at her quietly. Her face
had paled, and her hands, which we're
busted with some silken embroidery,
trembled a little.
In that case [ continued. slowly.
though am sorry for Ferrari, poor
fellow he will be immensely disap-
pointed! | confess / am glad in other
respects, because"
Because what?' she demanded,
eagerly.
Why" | answered. feigning a little
embarrassment. because there win be
more chance for other men who may
seek to possess the hand Of the accom-
lished and beautiful Contessa Ro-
mani
She shook her fair head slightly. A
transient expression OF disappointment
passed over her features.
To be continued.
W-TTu ING1rTNvrT rprrr