Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
Continued.

'But-but," he stammered, sorely
perplexed-''if | go to Avellino l can
not wait upon the eccellenza. There
is the portmanteau to p3ck-and who
Will see to the luggage when you
leave on Friday morning for Rome ?
And-and-I had thought to see you
to the station" He stopped; his
vexation was too great to allow him
to proceed.
l laughed gently.
How many more trifies can you
think of, my friend, in opposition to
my wishes? AS for the portmanteau
you can pack it this very day if you so
please-then it will be in readiness.
The rest of your duties can for once
be performed by others. 1t is not
only important, but imperative that
you should go to Avellino on my err
rand. | want you to take this with
YOU" and [ tapped a small square
iron box, heavily made and strongly
padlocked, which stood on the table
near me.
He glanced at the box, but still
hesitated, and the gloom on his coun-
tenance deepened. | grew little an
noyed.
What is the matter with your |
said at last, with some sternness.
You have something on your mind
speak Outl"
The fear of my wrath startled him
"a lT,nlynH -,
in his eyes, and spoke, his mellow
Tuscan voice vibrating with his own
eloquent entreaty.
Eccellenzai" he exclaimed, eagerly,
you must forgive me-yes, forgive
your poor servant who seems too bold,
and who yet is true to you-yes, in
deed, SO true!-and who would go
with you to death if there were need!
l am not blind, l can see your suffer-
ings, for you do suffer, 'lustrissimo,
though you hide it we'll Often have
| watched you when you have not
known it. l feel that you have what
we call a wound in the heart, bleed
ing, bleeding always. Such a thing
means death often as much as a
straight shot in battle. Let me watch
over you, eccellenza let me stay with
you! | have learned to love you! All.
MIC signor," and he drew nearer and
caught my hand timidly, you do not
knoW-hOW should you?-the look
that is in your face some times, the
look of one who is stunned by a hard
hI0W h1un cajd n hot
look will kill me if | see it often
And your love for this great lady,
whom you will wed tomorrow, has not
llghtened your soul as love should
Tighten it. No! you are even sadder
than before, ana the look | speak of
comes ever again and again. Yes, 1
have watched you, and lately [ have
seen you writing, writing far into the
night, when you should have slept.
All, signor! you are angry, and | know
! should not have spoken; but tell me
how can | look at Lila and be happy
when | feel that you are alone and
sad?"
] stopped the flood of his eloquence
by mute gesture and withdrew my
hand from his clasp.
Il am not angry | sald with quiet
steadiness, and yet with something of
GOODNESS, though my whole nature,
always highly sensitive, was deeply
stirred by the rapid, unstudied ex-
pressions of affection that melted SO
warmly from his lips in the liquid
music of the mellow Tuscan tongue.
No, am no. angry, but l am sorry
to have been the oDject of so much
solicitude on your part. Your pity is
misplaced, NincenZ0, it is indeed!
Pity an emperor clad IN puppies and
seated on a throne of pure gold, but
do hot Iity me! | tell you that to-
morrow, yes, tomorrow, | shall obtain
all that l have ever sought-my great
est desire will be fulfilled Believe it
No man has ever been so thoroughly
satiated -satisfaction-as | shall
be!'
Then seeing him look still sad and
incredulous, l clapped my hand on his
shoulder and smiled.
Come, come, AMIGO, wear a merrier
face for my bridal day, or you will no
deserve to wed Lila. | thank you
from my neaIt," and l spoke more
grayely, for your well-meant care
and kindness, but [ assure you there
is nothing wrong with me. 1 am vel
perfectly well-and happy. 1t is
understood that you go to Avellinc
tomorrow EVENING"
Vincenzo sighed, but was passive.
1t must be as the eccellenzs
pleases,' he murmured, resignedly.
THAT is WE'LL" l answered, good
humoredly; land as you know ~.
pleasure, take great care tina
nothing interferes with your depart
ure. And-One word more-you mus
cease to watch me- Plainly speaking
l do not choose to be under your sur
Vigilance. Nay-I am not offended
far from it, fidelity and devotion ar
excellent virtues, but in the presen
case l prefer obedience-strict, i'm
plicit obedience. Whatever l may dc
whether ] sleep or wake, walk or 81
still-attend to your duties and pay n
heed to my actions. So will you bes
serve me-you understand"
Isl, signor!" and the poor fellor
sighed again, and Redeemed with hi
own inward confusion. 'You will pan
don me. eccellenza, for my freedom {
speech? 1 feel have done wrong
Il pardon you for what in thi
world is never pardoned-excess {
love-" I answered, gently. KNOWN
Won love ME I ask Won to obey me