Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-02-17
Continued.

10 JOIN Other groups, and to take my
part in the various dances which were
now following quickly on one another
The supper was fixed to take place al
midnight At the first opportunity
had, looked at the time. Quarter
to eleyen!-my heart beat quickly, the
blood rushed to my temples and
surged noisily in my ears. The hour
/ had waited for so long and so eag-
erly had come! At last! at last
Slowly and with a hesitating step
l approached my wife. She was rest
ing after her exertions in the dance,
and reclined l2nguidly in low velvet
chair, chatting gayly with that very
Prince de Mapano whose honeyed
compliments had partly spoiled the
budding sweet nature of the youngest
girl in the room. Apologizing for in
terruptiIg the conversation, l lowered
my voice to a persuasive tenderness
as l addressed her.
Cara sposina mia! permit me to re-
mind you of your promise"
What radiant look she gave me!
Il am ali impotence to fulfill it!
Tell me When-and hOw?"
Almost Immediately. You know
the private passage through which
we entered the hotel this morning on
our return from church,"
PERFECTLY"
Well, meet me there in twenty
minutes. We must avoid being OBJ
served as we pass out. But" and l
touched her delicate dress, you will
wear something warmer than this?"
81 have long sable cloak that will
do" she replied. brightly. I'VE are
not going far?"
mo, not far
we shall return in time for sup
per, of oourse?"
| bent my head.
Naturally"
Her eyes danced mirthfully.
How romantic it seems! A moon
light stroll with you will be charm
ing! Who shall say you are not a
sentimental e-groom? Is there a
bright moon?"
Il believe so.''
"Cosa bellissima!" and she laughed
sweetly. Il look forward to the trip!
In twenty minutes then | shall be
with you at the place you name,
Cesare; in the meanwhile the Mar
cheese Gualdro claims me for this
mazuaeka."
And she turned with her bewitch-
ing grace of manner to the marchese,
who at that moment advanced with
his courteous bow and fascinating
smile, and I watched them as they
glided forward together in the first
figure of the elegant Polish dance, in
which all lovely women look their
loyeliest.
Then, checking the curse that rose
to my lirs, | hurried away. Up to
my own room | rushed with feverish
haste, full of impatience to be rid of
the disguise | had worn so long.
Within a few minutes I stood before
my mirror, transformed into my old
self as nearly as it was possible to be.
l could not alter the snowy whiteness
of my hair, but a few def quick
strokes of the razor soon Invested me
of the beard that had given me so ell
derby an aspect, and nothing remained
but the mustache curling slightly up
at the corners of the lip, as | had
worn it in past days: l threw aside
the dark glasses, and my eyes, densely
brilliant, and fringed with the long
lashes that had always been their dis
tinguishing feature, shone with all
the luster of strong and vigorous
youth. | Strengthened myself UP to
my full height, doubled my fist and
felt it hard as iron; 1 laughed aloud
in the triumphant power of my strong
manhood. / thought of the old rag
dealing Jew-"You could kill anything
easily" Ay, so | could!-even with
out the aid of the straight swift steel
of the Milanese dagger which 1 now
drew from its sheath and regarded
steadfastly, v lille I carefully felt the
edge of the blade from hilt to point
Should take it with me? 1 hesitated
Yes! it might be needed. l slipped it
safely and secretly into my vest
And now the proofs-the proofs
had them already to my hand, and
gathered them quickly together, first
the things that had been buried with
me--the gold chain on which hung
the locket containing the portraits OF
my wife and child, the purse and card
case which Nina herself had given me
the crucifix the monk had laid on my
breast in the coffin. The thought OF
that coffin moved me to a stern smile
that splintered, damp, and molder.
ing wood must speak for itself by and
by. Lastly l took the letters sent me
by the Marquis D'Avencourt-the
beautiful, passionate love epistles she
had written to Guido Ferrari in Rome
Now, was that all? I thoroughly
searched both my rooms, ransackins
every corner. l had destroyed every
thing that could give the smalles
clew to my actions; l left nothing
save furniture and small valuables
a present respectable enough in theil
way to the landlord of the hotel
l glanced again at myself in TIL
mirror. Yes; l was once more Fable
Romani, in spite of my white hair
no one that had ever known me in
timately could doubt my identity.
had changed my evening dress for
rough, everyday suit, and now owe
this I threw my long Almaviv