Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-08-26

vulgar still cling to exploded theories
Of superstitious belief, but the educated
J classes are far beyond the old-world
notions
81 believe you 1 answered, COM
| posedly. l had no wish to argue with
| him; only sought to read his shallow
soul thrC ugh and through that 1 might
| be convinced Of his utter worthless
| ness. According to modern civiliza-
ton there is really no special need to
| be virtuous unless it suits us. The
only thing necessary for pleasant liv-
| ing is to avoid public scandal
Just sou agreed Ferrari; land that
can always be easily managed. Take
a woman's reputation-nothing is. so
| easily lost, we all know, before she
is actually married; but marry her
well, and she is free. She can have
a dozen lovers if she likes, and if she
is a 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 are
clumsy, they are oversensitive and be-
tray themselves too easily; then the
injured husband Carefully concealing
his own little peccadilloes) finds every
thing out, and there is a devil of
row-a moral row. which is the worst
kind Of row. But a really clever
woman can always steer clear of SLAM
der if she likes
Contemplate ruffianl I thought.
glancing at his handsome face and
figure with scarcely yelled contempt.
With all his advantages of education
and his we'll bred air he was yet ruffian
to the core as low in nature. if not
lower, than the half-savage tramp for
whom no social law has ever existed
Or ever will exist. But I merely OBJ
served:
ct is easy to see that you have a
thorough knowledge of the world and
its ways. l admire your perception.
From your remarks I judge that you
have no sympathy with marital
wrongs?"
''Not the least" he replied, dryly;
''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?" I inquired, with appar-
ent curiosity
well, 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 future
consent to share the lady's affections
amicably."
"Veramente," I exclaimed. with a
forced laugh, inwardly cursing his
detestable f1ippancy; that is the fash
ionable mode of taking vengeance?"
absolutely the one respectable way
OF doing it," he replied; cit 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 the warm sun
light playing upon his features, he
seemed the very type of youthful and
splendid manhood; an Apollo in exter-
ior-in mind a Silenus. My soul
sickened at the sight of him. I felt
that the sooner this strong, treacherous
Cd h. h0+4
would be one traitor less in the world
at any rate. The thought of my
dread but just purpose passed over me
like the breath of a bitter wind-a
tremor shook my nerves. My face
must have betrayed some sign of my
You are fatigued, conte? You are
i'll? Pray take my arm!"
He extended it as he spoke. I put
it gently but firmly aside.
ct is nothing" l said, co1dly; "a
mere faintness which often overcomes
me, the remains of recent Illness
Here | glanced at my watch; the
afternoon was waning rapidly.
''lf you will excuse me-" continued.
I will now take leave of you. Re-
garding the pictures you have permit
ted me to select, my servant shall call
for them this evening to save you the
trouble of sending them
1T is no trouble began Ferrari.
Pardon me-" l interrupted him;
you must allow me to arrange the
matter in my own way. 1 am some
what selfWllIed, as you know
He bowed and smiled-the smile of
a courtier and sycophant-a smile [
hated. He eagerly proposed to ac-
company me back to my hotel but |
declined this offer somewhat peremp-
torily, though at the same time thank
ing him for his courtesy. The truth
was l had had almost too much of his
society; the strain on my nerves began
to tell; l craved to be alone. 1 felt
that if l were much longer with him
| should be tempted to spring at him
and throttle the life out of him. AS it
was, I babe him adieu with friendly
though constrained politeness; he was
profuse in his Acknowledgements of the
favor [ had done him by purchasing
his pictures. l waived all thanks
aside, assuring him that my satisfac-
ton in the matter far exceeded his,
and that l was proud to be the posses
sor of such valuable proofs of his
genius. He swallowed my fattery as
eagerly as a fish swallows bait, and
we parted on excellent terms. He
l.;