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

piteousness at my heart. opened the
packet. 1t was as he had said, a will
drawn up in perfectly legal form.
signed and witnessed, leaving every
thing Internationally to Nina, Coun-
tess Rolnani. Of the Villa Romani,
Naples" l read it through and re-
turned 1t to her.
He must have loved you'll l said.
She laughed.
OF course" she said. airily. But
many people love me-that is nothing
new; Fam accustomed to be loved.
But you see." she went on. reverting
to the will agin. 1T specifies, every
thing he dies possessed Of; that means
all the money left to him by his uncle
in Rome. does it not?"
| bowed. | could not trust myself to
speak.
II thought so,'' she murmured, glee-
fully, more to herself than to me;
and | have a right to all his papers
and letters. There she paused abruptly
and checked herself.
| understood her. She wanted to
get back her own letters to the dead
man, lest her intimacy with him
should leak out in some chance way
for which she was unprepared. Cum
ming devil. | was almost glad she
showed me to what depth of vulgar
vice she had fallen. There was no
question of pity or forbeaNnce in her
case. II all the tortures invented by
savages or stern inquisitors could be
heaped upon her at once, such pun
ishment would be light in comparison
with her crimes-crimes for which,
mark you, the law gives you no
remedy but divorce. Tired of the
wretched comedy, / looked at my
watch.
1T is time for me to take my leave
of YOU l said. in the stiff, courtly
manner | affected. Moments fly fast
in your enchanting company! But il
have still to walk to Castellamare.
there to rejoin my carriage, and have
many things to attend to before my
dtptl tult UllS tNOHlA6. vi ivy IOlui ~
frcm Avellino shall 1 be welcome?"
You know it" she returned, nestl-
ing her head against my shoulder,
while for mere forms sake | was
forced to hold her In a partial embrace.
Il only wish you were not going at
all. Dearest, do not stay long away
| shall be so unhappy till you come
back!
Absence strengthens love, they
say" | observed, with a forced smile.
MAY it do so jim our case. Farewell,
cara mia! Pray for me; | suppose you
do pray great deal here?"
"Oh, yes she replied, naively;
there is nothing else to do"
| held her hands closely in my
grasp. The engagement-ring on her
finger, ard the diamond signet on my
own, flashed in the light like the
crossing of swords.
Pray then" | said storm the
gates OF heaven with sweet-voiced
pleadings for the repose OF poor Fer
rari's soul! Remember he loved you,
though you never loved him. For
your sake he quarreled with me, his
best friend-for your sake he died.
Pray for him-who knows" and i
spoke in thrilling tones Of earnest
ness-"who knows but that his too
hastily departed spirit may not be
near us now-hearing our voices,
watching our looks!"
She shivered slightly, and her hands
in mine grew cold.
Yes, yes" l continued, more calm
ly; you must not forget to pray for
him--he was young and not prepared
to die"
My words had some OF the desired
effect upon her-for once her ready
speech failed-she seemed as though
she sought for some reply and found
none. | still held her hands.
Promise mel" ! continued; 'and
at the same time pray for your dead
husband! He and poor Ferrari were
close friends you know; it will be
pious and kind of you to join their
names in one petition addressed to
Him from whom no secrets are hid
and who reads with unerring eyes the
purity of your intentions. Will you
do it?"
She smiled a forced, faint smile.
Il certainly will" she replied in a
low voice; Il promise you"
| released her hands, was salts
fed If she dared to pray thus | felt
i knew that she would draw down
upon her soul the redoubled wrath of
for | looked beyond the
grave! The mere death OF her body
would be but a slight satisfaction TO
me; it was the utter destruction Of her
wicked soul that sought. She should
never repent, | swore; she should
never have the chance OF casting OFF
her vileness as a serpent casts It's skin,
her vileness as serpent casts its skin
md, reclothing herself in innocence,
presume to ask admittance into that
Eternal Gloryland whittier my
little child had pODp-neVer, never