Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-11-11

sudll uOW HdNc Tie ultdSuiS VI Ca
planning to you--a reason which, as it
concerns myself and my immediate
happiness. will, | feel confident, secure
your sympathy ana good wishes.
This time every one was silent, in
tently following my words.
What am about to say" went on,
calmly. may very possibly surprise
you. | have been known to you as
man of few words, and, fear, of
abrupt and brusque manners
OF No, moi" mingled with various
complimentary assurances reached my
ears from all sides of the table. |
bowed with gratified air, and when
silence was restored-"At any rate
you would not think me precisely the
sort of man to take a lady's fancy
A look of wonder and curiosity was
now exchanged among my guests.
Ferrari took his cigarette out of his
mouth and stared at me in blank
astonishment.
No" | went on, meditatiyely, "old
Is | am, and half-blind invalid be
sides. it seems incredible that any wo-
man should care TO look at me more
than twice en- PEASANT But | have met
let me say with the Chevalier
Mancini-an angel--who has found me
not displeasing to her, and-in short
i am going to marry!"
There was pause. Ferrari raised
himself slightly from his reclining
position and seemed about to speak,
but apparently changing his mind he
remained silent--his face had some
what paled. The momentary hest
tation among my guests passed quick
IL. All present, except Guido, broke
out into a chorus of congratulations
mingled with good humored testing
ard laughter.
Say farewell to joility, conte!" cried
Chevalier Manciri; "once drawn along
by the rustling music of woman S
gown, no mere such feasts as we have
had tonight
And he shook bis head with tipsy
melancholy.
by all the gods!" exclaimed Quail
dro, your news has surprised me, I
should have thought you were the last
man to give up liberty for the sake of a
We man. One woman, too, Why, man,
freedom could give you twenty"
"Ah!" murmured Saiustri, softly and
stntimentally, but the enc perfect
pearl-the one flawless diamond"
Bah! sGlustri, caro- MIC, you are
half asleep returned Gualdro. IT'S
the wine talks, not you. Thou art con
Quered by the bottle, AMIGO. You, the
darling of all the women in Naples, to
talk of one! Buona notte, bambino,"
| still maintained my standing posi-
ton, leaning my TWO hands on the
table before me-
What our worthy Gualdro saws" I
went on, lis perfectly true. ! have
been noted for my antipathy to the
fair SEX | know it, But when one of
the loveliest among women comes out
OF her way TO tempt me-when She
herself displays the matchless store
OF her countless destinations for nv
when she honors me bv
special favors and makes me plainly
aware that | am not too presumptuous
III Venturing to aspire to her hand in
marriage what can | do but accent
with good grace the fortune thrown
to me by Providence? | should he the
most ungrateful of men were to re-
fuse so precious a gift from Heaven.
ana | confess | feel no inclination to
reject what | consider to be the GER
tainty of happiness. i therefore ask
you all to fill your glasses. and do me
the favor to drink to the health and
happiness of my future bride"
The Duke di Marina, with courte-
high in the air; every man followed
his example Ferrarl rose to his feet
with some unsteadiness, while the
hand that held his full champagne
glass trembled.
Gualdro sprung erect, his glass held
GUS gesture, addressed me: You will
OF course, honor us by disclosing the
name of the fair lady whom we are
v
prepared to toast with all beftting
reverence"
Il was about to ask the same oues-
ton, said Ferrari, in hoarse accents
his lips We're dry and he appeared In
have some difficulty in speaking. Pos
sibly we are not acquainted with her?p
ION the contrary" returned evinp
him steadily with a cool smile. you
all know her name well, Illustrissimi
Slgnori!' and my voice rang out
clearly-'to the health OF my betrothed
wife, the Contessa Romanii"
LIAR" shouted Ferrari-and with
all madmans fury he dashed his
brimming glass Of champagne full in
my race. In second the widest scene
OF confusion ensued. Every man left
LIS place at the table and surrounded
us. stood erect and perfectly calm
wiping with my handkerchief the lit
tie runlets OF wine that dripped from
my clothing-the glass had fallen at
my feet, striking the table as It fell
and splitting itself to atoms