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

Went there once with Fabio when |
was first married"
And were you happy there?" in
CURED, coldly.
l remembered the time she spoke of
"a time of such unreasoning. foolish
icy!
Happy? oh, yes; everything was so
new to me then. 1t was delightful to
be my own mistress, and | was so
glad to be out of the convent"
Il thought you liked the nunsp'
said
Some of them-yes. The reverned
mother is dear old thing. But Mere
Marguerite, the Vicaire as she is
cailed-the one that received you
oh, l do detest her!"
Indeed! and why?'
The red lips curled mutinously.
Because she is so sly and silent.
Some of the children here adore her:
but they must have something to love,
you know and she laughed merrily.
Must they?"
l asked the question automatically,
merely for the sake of saying some
thing.
"Of course they must" she an
swered, gayly. You foolish Cesare!
The girls often play at being one
another's lovers, only they are care
full not to let the nuns know their
game. 1t is very amusing. Since
have been here they have what is
called a craze for me. They give
me flowers, run after me in the gar
den, and sometimes kiss my dress.
and call me by all manner of loving
names. | let them do it. because it
veXes Madame la Vicaire; but of
course it is very foolish"
was silent | thought what a
curse it was-this necessity of loving.
Even the poison Of it must find its
ways into the hearts of children
young things shut within the walls of
a secluded convent, and guarded by
the conscientious care OF holy women.
And the nuns?" / said, uttering
half my thoughts aloud. How do
they manage without love or ro-
mance?"
A wicked little smile, brilliant and
disdainful, glittered in her eyes
DO they always manage without
love or romance?" she asked, half
indolently. What OF Abelard and
Heloise. or Fra Lippi?"
Reused by something in her tone,
l caught her round the waist, and
held her firmly while l said, with
some sternness:
And you-is it possible that you
have sympathy with, or find amuse
ment in, the contemplation of Illicit
and dishonorable passion-tell me?"
She recollected herself in time; her
white eyelids dropped demurely.
Not II" she answered, with a
grave and virtuous air; how can you
think so? There is nothing to my
mind so horrible as deceit; no good
ever comes Of it."
| loosened her from my embrace
You are right" l said, calmly; 81
am glad your instincts are so correct!
| have always hated lies
80 have II" she declared, earnestly,
with frank and open look; Il have
often wondered why people tell
them. They are so sure to be found
OUT"
bit my lip hard to shut in the
burning accusation that my tongue
longed to utter. Why should / damn
the actress or the play before the cur
tain was ready to fall on both? !
changed the subject OF converse.
How long do you propose remain
ing here in retreat?' | asked There is
nothing now to prevent your return
ing to Naples
She pcndered for some minutes be-
fore replying, then she said:
Il told the superiDrcss | came here
for week. | had better stay till that
time is expired Not longer, be-
cause, as Guido is really dead, my
presence is actually necessary in the
city.
indeed! May | ask why?'
She laughed a little consciously.
Simply to prove his last will and
testament" she replied. Before he
left for Rome, he gave 1t into my
keeping.
A light flashed on my mind.
Its contents make me the owner Of
everything he died possessed Oft" she
said, with an air of quiet yet malici
Gus triumph.
Unhappy Guido, What trust he had
reposed in this vile. self-interested,
heartless woman He had loved her,
even as 1 had loved her-she who was
so unworthy OF any love! / controlled
my rising emotion, and merely said
with gravity
II congratulate you, May l be per-
mitted TO see this document"
Certainly; | can show 1t to you
now. | have it here" and she drew a
letter-case from her |
pocket, ard opening 1t. handed Inc a |
caaIaa anveIOne "Preak the eaal'n she |