The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-13


self frequently for several days in the
week, going either to the city or hiber-
mating at some fashionable watering
place, where he was suro to meet gay
company.
MI. Bramont was not mt all pleased
with the conduct of his future son-in-
law, and his daughter betrayed annoy
ance at his neglect. Baroness Defoe was
ut last no longer able to control her out
ragged feelings.
dissolve the bondp' she exclaimed,
seizing Ada's hand. .sIt is still time.
You will be unhappy, and then it will
be too late.''
Ada shook her head.
ut would be unwomanly," Dried
Ada. San engagement is promise nei-
Their man nor woman should break. AS
yet he has given me no cause for such
an act. If ho should break it, it
would'-
The girl paused. startled by the
thought that only too readily suggested
itself. eff I furnish you with proof
that he is faithless, will you break with
him then?" asked the baroness.
How will you do it,"
Trust me, " whispered tho baroness.
Next morning the marchese departed
on one of his periodical journeys.
While the marchese was absent Mr..
Bramont paid Erwin visit. AS he was
not aware Of the latter's suit for his
daughters hand, this visit was but tho
natural outcome of the kindly feelings
he had always entertained for his son 8
schoolmate and friend. He returned
from tho Gcrz estates highly pleased
with Erwin's ability to manage his
property.
Marchese Luciano remained away lon
ger than was his won't A letter came
from him, advising his fiancee that
important business engagements made
1t impossible to return. Mr.. Bramont' S
face grew more thoughtful as letter up
on letter arrived from Luciano asking for
loans of various large sums of money.
The father refrained from acquainting
his daughter with the purport of these
missives.
Reports from other sources were not
calculated to dissipate Mr.. Bramont's
vexation. 1t became known that tho
marchese spent his time at fashionable
watering places, indulging in frivolities
unbecoming n man who was tho be-
trothed of sweet and innocent young
woman
When ho returned at last, he was as
amiable as ever. He relied upon his
power over Ada, whom he had fasoinat-
ed by his dashing exterior. On the day
of his arrival at the Bramont home tho
Baroness Defoe came over for day IS
visit with her friend.
The marchese asked his betrothed
how sho had spent her time during his
absence, and Ada told him that she had
been very much interested in volume
of italian furry tales which had acct
dentaily fallen into her hands.
How kind of you to devote your at
tention to tho literature of my native
landp smiled the marchese.
Zone of these stories has been es-
pecially interesting"
(Which one, my darling?''
1t is called Loves Test Was True. -
A romantic title! Tell me the story,
SWEET
the marchese.
"Once upon q time there lived q
prince. He was handsome and elegant
of manner, and it was an easy thing fol-
him to captivate tho heart of young
girl. She consented to become his wife
and placed upon his finger ring to seal
the bond between them. But he did not
love her as he should, caring only tc
possess her wealth. Her innocence land
simplicity wearied him even before they
were united i'll marriage. He left hel
for days at u time to engage in the gay
pastimes Of the world In her distres:
the young girl sought the counsel of {;
good fairy when next her lover wa.
gone. Together they thought of plan
by which she would know whether hel
lover was true TO her or not.
"Under every ring constantly worn
on the same finger a stripe of white i.
formed. No matter how brown ant
weather stained the hand may become
this stripe remains white and pure
Men who are faithless to their vows re-
move their rings in the pursuit of un
holy pleasures.
+" This, the fairy said to the young
girl, is an unfailing sign. When mex
your lover returns to you, remove from
his hand the ring you have given him
If the skin beneath is pure and white
he has been true to you. If the stripe il
missing -
AS Ada spoke these words she play
fully drew from tho marchese's hant
tho ring that bound him to her.
Luciano tried to snatch his hand from
her grasp, but Ada was quicker thu,
he. The telltale stripe was missing.
Pale as death, the girl arose, drawing
from her own hand the ring he hat
given her and throwing it at his feet.