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

| pleasure-seeking feminine animal
might be easily att acted by the purely
physical beauty of his form and Tea
lures. / spoke a part OF my thoughts
aloud.
"You are not only an artist by pro-
fessicn, Signor Ferrari-you are one
also in appearance"
He flushed slightly and smiled.
You are very amiable to say So"
he replied, his pleased vanity display
ing itself at once in the expression OF
his face. But | Am well aware that
you tatter me. BY the way, before |
forget it, | must tell you that fulfilled
your commission"
ITO the Countess Rcmani?"
Exactly. cannot describe to you
her astonishment and delight at the
splendor and brilliancy Of those jew
els you sent her. 1t was really pretty
to watch her innocent satisfaction"
| laughed.
Marguerite n the jewel song IN
Faust, l suppose. with new scenery
anu eicNlo / ash'ut WIN q 0iA5hN
sneer. He bit his lip and looked an
rCyed. But he answered, quietly:
Il see you must have your joke,
cCrte; but remember that ii YOU place
the countess IN the position of Mar
guerite, you, as the giver of the jewels,
naturally play the part Of Mephis-
topheles."
And you will be Faust, Of course!"
| said, gayly. why, We n.ght mount
the opera with a few sureInumeraries
and astonisb Naples by our perfor-
nance! What say you? But let US come
to business. | like the picture you
have on the easel there-may | see it
more Closely"
He drew it nearer; it was a snowy
landscape with the light of the sunset
upon it. 1t was badly done, but
praised it warmly, and purchased II
for five hundred francs. -Four other
sketches of a similar nature were then
: produced. | bought these also. By
the time we got through these matters,
ferrari was in the best of humOrs. He
offered me some excellent wine and
partook of it himself; he talked in
~cessantly, and diverted me extremely,
though my inward amusement was
not caused by the witty brilliancy of
his conversation No, | was only eX-
cited to a sense of savage humor by
the novelty OF the position in which
we two men stood. Therefore | listen
ed to him attentively, applauded his
anecdotes-all of which | had heard
before-admired his jokes, and fooled
his egotistical soul till he had no shred
OF self-rospect renaining. He laid his
nature bare before me-and | knew
what it was at last-a mixture of
seltishness, avarice, se%nsuaiity, and
heartlessness, tempered now and then
by a flash Of good-nature and sympa-
thetic attraction which were the mere
outcOmes of youth and physical health
nc more. This was the man ! had
lCyed-this fellow who told coarse
stories only worthy OF a common pot
house, and who reveled in a wit Of a
high and questionable flavor; this
conceited. empty-headed, muscular
piece of humanity vas the same being
for whom | had cherished so chival-
rous and loyal a tendernessl Our con
~versation was broken in upon at last
by the sound of approaching wheels.
A carriage was heard ascending the
road-it came nearer-it stopped at
the door. l set down the glass of
wine | had Just raised to my lips and
locked at Ferrari steadily.
You expect other visitors?" | in
quired.
He seemed embarrassed, smiled, and
hesitated.
Well am not sure-but-" The
bell rang. With a word of apology
Ferrari hurried away to answer il. |
sprung from my chair knew felt
I who was coming. | steadied my nerves
by a strong effort. | controlled the
! rapid beating of my heart; and fixing
my dark glasses more closely over my
eyes, | drew myself up erect and
waited calmly. ! heard Ferrari as
cending the stairs-a light step ac-
| companied his heavier footfall-he
| spoke to his companion in whispers.
| Another irstant-and he flung the
door of the studio wide open with the
haste and reverence due for the en-
trance of a queen. There was a soft
rustic of silk-a delicate breath of
perfume on the air-and them stood
face to face with-my Wife,
To be Continued.
| MAY INTEREST THE CHURCHES.