Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-07-15

Iacked me now? The memory of it tC
this day burns in my brain like in
eAtlnguishable fire, and my hand in
voluntarily clinches itself in al effort
to beat back the furious bitterness OF
that moment! l know not how I re-
lstralned the murderous ferocity thai
IawOke within mellow I forced my
self to remain mOtiOnless and silent in
my hiding-place. But | did | watched
the miserable comedy out to the end!
L looked dumbly on at my own be-
trayal! | saw my honor stabbed to the
death by those whom l most trusted
and yet l gave no sign! They-Guido
Ferrari and my wife-came so close to
my hiding-place that l could note
every gesture and hear every word
they uttered. They paused within
thee steps of me-his arm incircled
her Waist-hers was thrown carelessly
around his neck-her head rested on
his shoulder. Even SO had she walked
with me thousand times! She was
dressed in pure white save for one
spot of deep color near her heart
a red rose, as red as--blood 1t was
pinned there with diamond pin that
ftasL ed in the moonlight. l thought
wildly, that instead Of that rose there
Should be blood indeed-instead Of a
diamond pin there should be the good
steel of straight dagger! But I had
10 Weapon-I stared at her, dry-eyed
and mute. She looked lovely-ex-
quisitely lovely! No trace of grief
marred the fairness of her face-her
eyes were as languidly Iimpid and
tender as ever-her lips were parted
in the child-like smile that was so
sWeet-so innocently trustful. She
spoke-ah, Heaven! the old bewitching
music Of her low voice made my heart
leap and my brain reel.
you foolish Guido!" she said in
dreamily amused accents. What
would have happened, l wonder, if
Fabio had not died so opportunity?
Guido laughed lightly.
He would never have discovered
anything. You were 100 clever for
him piccinina! Besides, his conceit
saved him-he had so good an opinion
of himself that he would not have
deemed it possible for you to care for
any other man.
My wife f1awless diamond-pearl OF
pure womanhood-sighed half rest
lessly.
81 am glad he is dead!" she muir
INJURED; "but, Guido milo, you are i'm
prudent. You cannot visit me now
often-the servants will talk! Then /
must go in mourning for at least six
months-and there are many other
things to consider"
Guido's hand played with the jeweled
necklace she Wore-he bent and kissed
the place where its central pendant
rested.- Again-again, good sir, pray
you! Let no faint scruple interfere
with your rightful enjoyment! Cover
the white flesh with caresses-it is
Ipublic property! a dozen kisses more
or less will not signify! So 1 madly
thought as [ crouched among the
trees-the tigerish wrath within me
making the blood beat in my head like
a hundred strokes.
Nay, then, my love-" he replied to
her, 1T is almost a pity Fabio is dead!
While he lived he played an excellent
part as a screen-he was an unconsci-
GUS, but yeritable duenna of property
for both of us, as no one else could
bel"
The boughs that covered me creaked
and rustled. My wife started, and
looked uneasiIy round her.
"Hush!" she said, nervously. He
was buried only yesterday-and they
say there are ghosts sometimes. This
avenue, tool wish we had not come
here-it was his favorite walk. Be
Sides" she added, with a slight accent
of my child-yOu must think of that -
by Heaven!" exclaimed Guido,
fercely, edo I not think of it? Ay-and
/ curse him for every kiss he stole
from your lips!"
[ listened, half stupefed. Here was
a new phase of the marriage law!
Husbands were thieves then-they
''stole" kisses; only lovers were hon
est in their embraces! Oh, my dear
friend-my more than brother-how
near you were to death at that mo-
ment! Had you but seen my face
peering pallidly through the dusky
leaves could you have known the
force of the fury pent up within me
you would have not valued your life
at one baiocco!
why did you marry him." he
asked, after a little pause, during
which he toyed with the fair curls that
ficated against his breast.
She looked up with a little mutinous
pout, and shrugged her shoulders.
Why? Because | was tired of the
convent, and all the stupid, solemn
ways of the nuns: also because lie was
rich, and 1 was horribly poor. I can
rot bear to be poor! Then he loved
malicious yes-he was mad
for me-and-"
You loved him?' demanded Guido
almost fiercely.
Ma chef" she answered, with an
expressive gesture. Il suppose 1 did
for week or two. AS much as one
ever loves a husband! What does one
marry for at all? For convenience
money! osition-he gave me these
things, as you know"
You will gain nothing by marry,
ing me, then" he said jealousy.
, She laughed, and laid her little white
| hand, glittering with rings, lightly