Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-16

dead, as indeed she had every reason
to do, but strange to say, Giacomo die
mot The old man had a fanatical no.
ton that his young lord could moi
have died so suddenly, and he grew sc
obstinate on the point that my wife de-
c,ared he must be going crazy. AS
s1nta. on the other hand, would talE
volublv of nv death and tell me with
assured earnestness:
1T was to be expected, eccellenza--
he was too gCcd for US, ard the saints
took him. Of course our Lady WaEt9G
binl-she always picks out the best
among us. The poor Giacomo will nj
listen to me. he grows weak and child
ish. and he loved the mater too we'll
better and here her voice would
deepen into reproachful solemnity
yves. better actually than st. Joseph
himself And Of course one is pun
ished for such thing. | always knew
my master would die you1 g-he was
too gentle as a baby, and too kind
| hearted as a man to stay here long
And she would shake her gray head
and feel for the beads of her rosary,
and mutter an Ave for the repose of my
soul. Much as I wished it, | could
never get her to talk about her mis-
| tress-it was the one subject on which
she was invariably silert. On one oc-
casion when I spoke with apparent en-
thusiasm of the beauty and accom-
plishments of the young countess, she
! glanced at me with sudden and earnest
scrutiny-sighed-bu said nothing.
was glad to see how thoroughly de-
oted she was to Stella, and the child
| returned her affection with interest
| though as the November days came on
apace, my little one looked far from
strong. She paled and grew thin, her
/ eyes looked preternaturally large and
solemn, and she was very easily
Wearied. I called Assunta's attention
to these signs Of ill-health; she replied
that she had spoken to the countess.
but that madame" had taken no no
tice of the child's weakly condition.
AfterWard I mentioned the matter nv
self to Nina, who merely smiled CRATE
fully UP in my face and answered:
Reilly, my dear conte, you are too
5000: There is nothing the matter
with Stella, her health is excellent;
She eats too many bonbons perhaps.
and is growing rather fast, that is all
how kind you are to think of her,
But, assure you, she is quite WE'LL
ala not feel SO sure of this, vet 7
was Obliged to conceal my anxiety as
oVermuch concern about the child
would not have been in keeping with
my assumed character.
1t was little past the middle of No
vember, when a circumstance occurred
that gave impetus to my plans, and
hurried them to full fruition. The
days were growing chilly and sad even
in Naples-yachting excursions were
over, and l was beginning to organize
a few dinners and balls for the ap-
preaching winter season, when enc
afternoon Ferrari entered my room I'M
announced and threw himself into the
nearest chair with an impatient ex-
clamation, and a vexed expression of
cOuntenance.
What is the matter?" | asked care
lessly, as ] caught furtive glance of
his eyes. 'Anything financial? Pray
draw upon ne! I will be a most ac-
commodating banker!'
He smiled uneasily though CRATE
fully.
Thanks, conte-but it is nothing of
that sort-it is-gran Dio! what an
unlucky wretch I ami"
Il hope" and here | put on an ex-
preston of the deepest anxiety, II hope
the pretty cCntessa has not played you
false? she has refused to marry your"
He laughed with a disdainful tri-
un phi in his Laughter.
ooh, as far as that goes there is no
danger! She dares not play me false"
''Dares mott That is rather a strong
expression, my friend!" And I stroked
my beard and looked at him steadily.
He himself seemed to think he had
spoken too openly and hastily-for he
Redeemed as he said with a little en-
barrassment:
"Well, [ did not mean that exactly
OF course she is perfectly free to do as
she likes-but she cannot, I think. re-
fuse me after showing me SO much en-
enlargement"
[ waved my hand with an airy ges-
ture of amicable agreement.
certainly not" | said, unless she
be an arrant coquette and therefore a
worthless woman: and you, who kr
so we'll her intrinsic goodness and prr-
ity, have no reason to fear. But if not
love or money, what is it that troubles
you? 1t must be serious, to Judge
from your face"
He played absently with ring I had
given him turning it round and round
upon his finger many times before re-
plying.
We'll, the fact is he said at last, II
am compelled to go away-to leave Ma
pies for a time"
My heart gave an expectant throb Of
satisfaction. Going away!-leaving
Naples. Turning away from the field
of battle and allowing him to gain the
victory! Fortune surely favored me-
But answered with feigned concern:
Going away! Surely you cannot
mean it. Why?-what for? AMI
where?'
AN uncle of mine is dying in Rome,
he answered, GROSSLY. He has made
me his heir, and l am bound for the
sake of deconov tO ATTEND his LAST mo-