Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-11-11


table had become a glittering whirl
pool of excitement and feyeTiSh folly
which at a mere touch, or word Oh
of season, might rise to a raging
storm of frOthy dissensiOn The Duk
di Marina and myself alone Of al
the company were composed as usual
he had resisted the champagne, and a!
for me, l had let all the splendid wine.
60 past me, and had not taken more
than two glasses of a mild Chianti
| 1 glanced keenly round the riotous
board noted the flushed faces an(
rapid gesticulations of my guests, ant
listened to the Babel OF conflicting
tongues. | drew a long breath as
looked l calculated that in two OF
three minutes at the very least I might
throw down the trump card l had
held so patiently in my hand all the
evening.
I took close observation Of Ferrari
He had edged his chair a little away
| from mine and was talking conf
IDENTIFY to his neighbor, Captain de
; Hamal-his utterance was low and
thick, but yet l distinctly heard him
enumerating in somewhat coarse Ian
guage the exterior charms of a woman
what woman l did not stop to con-
sideT-the burning idea struck me that
he was describing the physical per-
| fectiOns of my wife to this De Hamal,
| a mere spadaccinO, for whom there
|
earth. My blood rapidly heated itself
to boiling point-to this day I remem-
Der how it throbbed in my temples,
leaving my hands and feet icy cold
I rose in my seat, and tapped on the
table to call for silence and attention
but for some time the noise of argu-
ment and the clatter of tongues were
So great that l could not make my
self heard. The duke endeavored to Sec
ono my efforts, but in vain. At last
Ferrari's notice was attracted-he
turned round, and selling a dessert
knife beat with it on the table and on
lis own plate so noisily and persist
emily that the loud laughter ana con-
versation ceased suddenly. The mo-
ment had GOMEZ raised my head,
fixed my spectacles more firmly over
my eyes, and spoke in distinct and
steady tones, first of all stealing a
covert glance toward Ferrari. He had
sunk back again lazily in his chair and
was lighting a cigarette
My friends l said, meeting with a
smile the inquiring looks that were
directed toward me, Il have presumed
to interrupt your mlrth for a moment,
not to restrain it, but rather to give
tia fresh impetus. I asked you all here
tonight, as you know, to honor me by
your presence and to give a welcome
to our mutual friend, Signor Guido
Ferrari." Here I was interrupted by
loud clapping of hands and ejacula-
tons of approval, while Ferrari him.
self murmured affably between two
puffs of his cigarette, ''Tropp onore,
AMIGO, tropp' onore!" l resumed,
This young and accomplished gentle
man, who is | believe, a favorite with
you all, has been compelled through
from our circle for the past few weeks,
and I think he must himself be aware
low much we have missed his pleas
Cnt company. It will, however, be
agreeable to you, as it has been for
me, to know that he has returned to
Naples richer man than when he left
it-that fortune has done him justice,
and that with the possession Of album
CANT wealth he is at last called upon
to enjoy the reward due to his merits"
Here there was more clapping of
hands and EXPLANATIONS of pleasure,
while those who were seated near
Ferrari raised their glasses and drank
to his health with congratulations, all
Of which cOurtesies he acknowledged
by nonchalant, self-satisfied bow
I glanced at him again-how tranquil
he Notwithstanding among the Grim
son cushions of his chair, a Drimming
glass Of champagne beside him, the
cigarette between his lips, and his
handsome face slightly upturned,
though his eyes rested half drowsily
on the uncurtained window through
which the Bay of Naples was seen
glittering in the moonlight.
I continued: ut was, gentlemen
| that you might welcome and congratu-
late Signor Ferrari as you have done,
that l assembled you here tonight
or rather, let me say it was partly the
| object of our present festivity-but
there is yet another reason which |
shall now have the pleasure of ex-
! planning to you-a reason which, as it
concerns myself and my immediate
happiness, will, l feel confident, secure
your sympathy and 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. l have been known to you as
a man Of few words, and, fear. of
abrupt and brusque manners"-cries
OF No, no." mingled with various
complimentary assurances reached my
ears from all sides of the table. !
bowed with a 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
4 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
establishment.
NO" | went on. meditativaIy "olf