Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-30


had sweet violets and primroses
planted thickly all about the place
while on the simple white marble cross
that marked the spot | had the words
engraved
Una Stella svaniIa,"*
"A vanished star.
adding the names of her parents and
the date of her birth and death. Since
all this had been done I had visited my
wife several times. She was always al
home to me, though of course, for de
cency's sake, in consequence of the
chiId's death, she denied herself to
everybody else. She looked lovelieT
than ever; the air of delicate languol
she assumed suited her as perfectly as
it's fragile whiteness suits a hot-house
lily. She knew the power of her own
beauty most thoroughly, and employed
it in arduous effort to fascinate me.
But I had changed my tactics: I paid
very little heed to her, and never
went to see her unless she asked me
very pressingly to do so. All compli-
rents and attentions from me to her
had ceased. She courted me, and [ ac-
Cepted her courtship in unrespOnsive
silence. I played the part of a tact
turn and reserved man, who preferred
reading some ancient and abstruse
treatise on metaphysics to even the
charms of her society-and often,
when she urgently desired my com
pany, I would sit in her drawing-room,
turning over the leaves of book and
feigning to be absorbed in it, while
she, from her velvet fauteuil, would
look at me with pretty pensiveness
made UP half of respect, half Of gentle
admiration capitally acted facial
expression, by the by, and one that
would do credit to Sarah Bernhard.
We had both heard from Guido Fer
rari; his letter to my wife I of course
did not see; she had however, told
me he was much shocked and dis
tressed to hear of Stella's DEATH" The
epist1e he addressed to me had a differ
ent tale to tell. In it he wrote-"You
can understand, my dear conte, that
am not much grieved to hear Of the
death of Fabio's child. Had she lived,
confess her presence would have been
q perpetual reminder to me of
things I prefer to forget. She never
liked me-she might have been a great
source of trouble and inconvenience;
so, on the whole, I am glad she is out
of the way"
Further on in the letter he informed
me:
"Mv uncle is at deaths door, but
though that door stands wide open Tor
him. he canrot make up his mind to go
in. His hesitation will not be allowed
to last. so the doctors tell meat any
rate fervently hope | shall not be Kept
waiting too long, otherwise | shall re-
turn to Naples and sacrifice my heri-
tage for | am restless and Unhappy
away from Nina, though I know she is
safely guarded by your protecting
care"
I read this particular paragraph TO
nv wife. watching her closely as L
SLOWLY enunciated the words contained
in it. She listened, and vivid blush
her cheeks-a blush OF
her prows contracted
in the vexed frown [ knew so Well
Her lips parted in half-sweet, hall
chilly smile as she said, quietly:
II owe you my thanks, conte, Tor
showing me to what extent SlgnOr FER
rari's impertinence may reach. am
at his writing to you IN such
a manner The fact is, my late nus
bands attachment for him was SO eX-
IRENE that he now presumes upon
right that he has over me
he fancies | am really his sister, ana
that he can tyranrize, as brothers
do! I really regret [ have
lepn so 3aticnt with him-I have al
lowed him too much liberty"
True enough! I thought, and smiled
bitterly. I was now in the heat Of the
game-the moves must be played
uuickly-there was no more time for
hesitation Or reflection.
81 think, madame" I said, deliber-
ately, as I folded Guido's letter and re-
placed it in my pocket-book, "Signor
Ferrari ardently aspires to he some
thing more than brother to you at
no very distant date"
Oh, the splendid hypocrisy of
women! No wonder they make such
puppets on the theatrical
is their natural exist
ence, sham their breath of life! This
creature showed no sign Of embarrass-
raised her eyes frankly to
mine in apparent surprise-then she
gave a little low laugh Of disdain.
Indeed" she said. ''Then I fear
Signor Ferrari is doomed to have his
disappointed! My dear
ccnte," and here she rose and swept
softly across the room toward me with
that graceful, gliding step that some
how always reminded me Of the APP
proach of a panther, do you really
mean to tell me that his audacity has
reached such a height that-really it
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 duplicity of
the woman, I answered, briefly:
Il believe so. He intimated as much
to me-"
She smiled scornfully.
q am too much honored! And did
you, conte, think for a moment that
such an arrangement would meet with
my approval?"
I was silent. My brain was confused
i found it difficult to meet with and
confront such treachery as this. What!
Had she no conscience? Were all the