Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-08-19

ladies, however fascinating they NAV
be. | have business in Naples-it
claims my first and best attention.
When it is transacted | may possibly
try a few ~frivolities for a change-at
present | am unfit for the society of
the fair sex-an old battered traveller
as you see, brusque, and unaccustoned
to polite lying. But | promise you /
will practice suave manners and a
court bow fer the countess when l can
snare time to call upon her. In the
meanwhile | trust tc you to make
her a suitable and graceful apology
for my uon-Gppearance."
Ferrari's puzzled and vexed express
sion gave way to a smile-tinally he
laughed aloud. Upon my world" he
exclaimed, gayly, you are really a re-
llarkable man, conte! You are ex-
tremely cynical! ! am almost inclined
to believe that you positively hate wo-
mem"
"Oh, by no means! Nothing SO
strong as hatred | said, coolly. as |
peeled and divided a fine peach as a
finish to my mornings meal. Hatred
is a strong passion-tc hate well one
must have first loved. No, mol do
not find women worth hating-I am
simply Indifferent to them. They
seem to me merely one Of the burdens
imposed on mans existence graceful.
neatly packed, light burdens in appear
ance, but in truth, terrible heavy
and soul-crushing."
yet many accept such burdens gay
ly!" interrupted Ferrari, with a smile.
! glanced at him kearly.
Men seldom attain the mastery
over their passions" | replied; they
are in haste to seize every apparent
pleasure that comes in their way. Let
by a hot animal impulse which they
call love, they snatch at a woman's
beauty as a greedy schcol-boy snatches
ripe fruit-and wheE possessed, what
Is it WORTH Here is the emblem
ard held ~ the stone of the peach
| had Just eaten The fruit is de-
youIee- what remains? A stone With a
kAlel."
Fe1rari shrugged his shoulders.
Il cannot agree with you, court"
re eaid; bat | will not argue with
yOu, From your point of view you may
be r,ght-hut when one is young, and
lie stretches before ycu like sunlight
falling on flowers! You too must have
felt this-in spite Of what you say
there must have been a time ia your
lie when you also loved!"
oh, | have had my fancies, OF
course!" l answered, with an indif-
fernt laugh. "The woman fancied
turned out to be Q saint was not
worthy of her-at least, so ! was told.
At any rate, | was SC Convinced of her
virtue and my own un%worthiness-
that left her"
He looked surprised. AN odd rea-
son, surely, for resigning her, was it
not?"
Very odd-very unusual-but a suf-
icient n for me. Pray let us talk
of something more interesting-your
picturesr for Instance, When may
see them"
hVh S'b ll'tots he ANS tIeu,
readily though | fear they are scarce
ly worth a visit. | have not worked
much lately. | really doubt whether |
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. / have a few minutes to spare
between three and four o'clock. il
that time Will suit you"
1T will suit me admirably" he said,
with a look of qualification; but /
fear you Will be disappointed. / as
sure you / am no artist"
/ smiled. | knew that vel | enough.
But | 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?'
II believe So" | answered, and 60
ing to an escritoire in the corner of
the room, | unlocked it and took out
a massive carved oaken jewel-chest of
square shape, which | had had made
in Palermo. 1t contained a necklace
OF large rubies and diamonds, with
bracelets to match, and pins for the
hair-also a sapphire ring-a cross OF
line rose-brillidnts, 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 UNI
der my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Ferrari
uttered an exclamation of astonlsh-
ment and admiration as he lifted the
glittering toys u one by one and
Noted the size and brilliancy of the
precious stones.
They are trihes," | said, carelessly
but they may please a woman's
taste-and they amount to a certain
fixed value. You would do mt n great
sci vice II you consented to take them
TO the Contessa Romani for me-tell
her to accept them as heralds OF my