Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-10-28

ventional dress-suit is not very becom-
ing, yet there are a few men here and
there who look we'll in it, and who, in
spite of similarity in attire, will never
be mistaken for walters. Others there
are who passable in appearance when
lad in their ordinary garments, reach
he very acme of plebeanism when
they clothe themselves il the unac-
commodating evening-dress. Forum
ately, l happened to be one Of tn
former class-the sober black, the
broad white display of starched shirt
front and neat tie became me, almost
too well, l thought. 1t would have
been better for my purposes if | could
ave feigned an aspect of greater age
and weightier gravity. l had scarcely
/ finished my toilet when the rumbling
Of wheels in the courtyard outside
made the hot blood rush to my face,
| and my heart beat with feverish eX-
element. | left my dressing-room,
| however, with a composed countenance
| and calm step, and entered my private
salon just as it's doors were flung open
| and "Signor F'errari'' was announced.
He entered smiling face was alight
with good humor and glad anticipation
he looked handsomer than usual.
"Eccomi qua!" he cried, Selling my
hands enthusiastically in his own. MY
dear conte, I am delighted to see you!
| What an excellent fellow you are! A
| kind of amiable Arabian Nights
genius, who occupies himself in max
ing mortals happy. And how are you?
| You look remarkably well!'
Il can return the compliment" [
said, gayly. you are more of an
Antinous than ever"
He laughed, we'll pleased, and sat
down, drawing off his gloves and
| loosening his overcoat
| We'll, l suppose plenty of cash puts
a man in good humor, and therefore
in good condition" he replied. But
my dear fellow, you are dressed for
| dinner-quel preux chevalier! l am
| positively unfit to be in your company
| You insisted that | should come to
you directly on my arrival, but | really
must change my apparel Your man
| took my valise; in it are my dress
clothes-I shall not be ten minutes
putting them on"
"Take a glass of wine first" I said,
pouring out some of his favorite Mon
tepuiciano ''There is plenty of time.
Il is barely seven, and we do not dine
till eight" He took the wine from my
10 T cd 10
adding, 1T gives me great pleasure to
receive you, Ferrari! have been i'm
patient for your return-almost as
impatient as" He paused in the act
of drinking, and his eyes flashed de-
lightedly.
LAS she has? Piccinina! How | long
to see her agin! I swear to you, AMIGO,
I should have gone straight to the
Villa Romani had l obeyed my own
impulse-but | had promised you to
come here, and, on the whole, the
evening will do as welP'-and he
laughed with covert meaning in his
| laughter perhaps better!"
My hands clinched, but l said with
I forced gayety:
MA certimente! The evening will be
much better! Is it not Byron who says
that women, like stars, look best at
| night? You will find her the same as
ever, perfectly we'll and perfectly
charming. 1t must be her pure and
candid soul that makes her face so
| fair! 1t may be a relief to your mind
to know that | am the only man she
has allowed to visit her during your
absencei"
Thank God for that" cried Ferrari,
| devoutly, as he tossed off his wine.
And now tell me, my dear conte
what bacchanalians are coming to-
night? Per Dio, after all | am more in
the humor for dinner than love-mak-
ing!"
| burst out laughing harshly "Of
! course! Every sensible man prefers
good eating to good women! Who
are my guests you ask? 1 believe you
know them all. First, there is the
Duca Filippo Marina
BY heaven!" interrupted Guido.
An absolute gentleman, who by his
manner seems to challenge the uni
verse to disprove his dignity! Can he
unbend SO far as to partake of food in
public? My dear conte, you should
! have asked him that question:"
Then I went on, not needing this
! interruption, "Signor FrascEetti and
the Marchese Giulano."
"Giulona drinks deep" laughed
Ferrari "and should he mix his Wines
you will find him ready to stab all the
walters before the dinner is half over"
I'm mixing wines" | returned, coolly,
che will but initiate your example,
caro- mio.''
"Ah, but l can stand it," he said.
He cannot! Few Neapolitans are like
mel"
l watched him narrowly and went
on with the list of my invited guests.
After these, comes the Capitano
Luigi Freccia.''
What! the raging fre-eater?' Elk
claimed Guido He who at every sec
! ond word raps out pagan or Chris
! tan oath, and cannot for his life tell
! any difference between the two!"
And the illustrious gentlemen Girls
! piano Dulci and Antonio Biscardi,
artists like YOURSELF l continued.
| He frowned slightly-then smiled.
L wish them good appetites! Time
was when I envied their skill-now l