Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-12-09

herently, NATURALIZATION it,
is exactly like--like Fabio's!"
And before 1 had time to say a word
she went on into a violent fit of hys-
terlcs -sobs, little cries, and laughter
all intermingled in that wild and
reasonless distraction that generally
unnerves the strongest man who is
not accustomed to it. | rang the bell
TO summon assistance; lay-sister an
swered it, and seeing Nina's condition.
rushed for a glass OF water and sum
moned Madame la Vicaire. This lat
ter, entering with her quiet step and
ihiiexible demeanor; took in the
situation at a glance, dismissed the
iay-slster, and possessing herself of the
tumbler of water, sprlnkled the fore.
heid OF the interesting patient, and
forced some drops between her clinched
teeth. Then turning to me she in.
CURED, with some stateliness OF man
ner, what had caused the attack?
Il really cannot tell you, madame +"
l said, with an air OF affected concern
countess OF the unexpected death of a
friend, but she bore the news with
exemplary resignation, The circum-
stance that appears to have so greatly
distressed her is that she finds, or
says she finds, a resemblance between
my hand and the hand of her deceased
husband. This seems to me absurd
but there is no accounting for ladies'
caprices."
And | shrugged my shoulders as
though l We're annoyed and impatient.
over the pa.e, serious face Of the
nun there fl tied smile in which
there was certainly the ghost of
sarcasm
All sensitiyeness and tenderness OF
heart, you see!' she said, in her chill
passionless tones, which, icy as they
We're, somehow conveyed to my ear
another meaning than that implied by
the words she uttered. I'VE cannot
perhaps understand the extreme deli.
cacy of her tcelIi IS, and we fail to do
justice to them"
Here Nina opened her eyes, and
looked at us with piteous plaintive-
ness, while her bosom heaved with
those long, deep signs which are the
finishing chords OF the Sonata Hys-
terra.
You are better, trust?" continued
the nun, without any sympathy in her
monotonous accent and addressing
her with some reserve. You have
greatly alarmed the Count Olivia"
Il am sorry" began Nina, feebly.
| FASTENED to her side.
Pray do not speak of it," urged
forcing something like lovers ardor
into my voice. Il regret beyond mea-
sure that 1t is my misfortune to have
hands like those OF your late hus-
band! | assure you | am quite miser-
able about 1t. Can you forgive me?"
She was recovering quickly, and
she was evidently conscious that she
had behaved somewhat foolishly. She
smiled, a weak pale smile; but she
looked very scared, worn. and i'll. She
rose from her chair slowly and
languidly.
Il think | will go to my room" she
sid, not regarding Mere Marguerite,
who had Withdrawn to a little dis
lance, and who stood rigidly erect,
immovable, with her silver crucflx
glittering coldly on her still breast
Goodbye, Cesale! Please forget my
stupidity. and write to me from Avel-
limo
took her outstretche1 hand, and
bowling over it, touched it gently with
my lips. She turned toward the
door, when suddenly a mischievous
idea seemed 10 enter her mind She
looked at Madame la Vicaira and then
came back to me.
'Addio, amor mio!" she said, with
a sort of rapturous emphasis, and
throwing her arms round my neck.
she kissed me almost passionately
Then she glanced maliciously at the
nun, who had lowered her eyes TIL
they appeared fast shut, and breaking
into a low peal OF indolently amused
laughter, waved her hand to me, and
left the room.
| was somewhat confused. The sud
denness and warmth OF her caress had
been, | knew. q mere monkeyisa trick,
designed to vex the religious scruples
oil Mere Marguerite. | knew not what
to say TO the stately woman WAC re-
mained confronting me with down
cast eyes and lips that moved dumbly
as though in prayer. AS the door
closed after my wife's retreating fig
ure, the nun looked up; there was
nkaL b ure.e Rg,itr- tgoeh
slight flush on her pallid cheeks, and,
to my establishment, tears glittered
on her dark lashes.
Madame" | began, earnestly, Il
assure you--"
To be Continued.
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