Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-01-13

She shrugged her shoulders and
pouted like a child.
Why are you SO fond OF talking
about my late husband. Cesare?" she
asked, peevishly; Il am 80 tired OF his
name Besides. one does not always
care to be reminded OF dead people
and he died 80 horribly too! have
often told you that l did not love him
at all. l liked him little, and was
quite ill when the dreadful monk, who
looked like i ghost himself, came
and told Lie he was dead. Fancy hear
ing such piece OF news suddenly
while | was actually at luncheon with
Gus ignor Ferrari. We were both
shocked, of course, but did not break
my heart over it, Now | really do
love you"
| drew nearer to her on the couch
where she sat, and put one arm
around her.
You really do?" | asked, in a half
incredulous tone; you are quite
sure?'
She laughed and nestled her head ON
my shoulder.
Il am quite sure! How many times
have you asked me that absurd ques-
ton? What can / say, what can | do
Ito make you believe me?"
Nothing answered, and answered
truly for certainly nothing she could
say or do would make me believe her
for moment. But how do you love
me-for myself or for my wealth.
She raised her head with a proud
graceful gesture.
For yours self, CT course! Do you
think mere wealth could ever win my
affection? No, Cesare. | love you for
your own sake-your own merits have
made you dear to me"
| smiled bitterly. She did not see
hair.
For that sweet answer, carissima
mia, you shall have your reward. You
called me a fairy prince just now
perhaps l merit that title more than
you know You remember the jewels
| sent you before We ever metz"
Remember them!" she exclaimed.
"They are my choicest ornaments.
Such a parure is fiji for an empress.
and an empress Of beauty wears
them" | said, lightly. But they are
mere trifies compared to other gems
which | intend to offer for your ex-
pectancy.
"Oh, let me see them." she cried
III they are lovelier than those / al
ready have, they must be indeed
magnificent, And are they all for
me?"
'All for you!" l replied. drawing
her closer, and playing with the small
white hand ON which the engagement
ring | had placed there sparkle1 so
bravely "All for my bride, A little
heard OF bright treasures; red rubies,
ay-as red as blood-diamond as bril-
liant as the gllttering OF crossed dag
gers sapphires as blue as the light
ning-pearls as pure as the little
hands OF dead child-opals as dazzl-
ingly changeful as woman's love'
Why do you START" for she had moved
restlessly in my embrace. DO | use
bad SMILES? All, cara mia, | am no
poet! can speak of things as they
seem to my poor judgment. Yes,
these precious things are for you,
bellissima; you have nothing to do
but to take them, and may they bring
you much joy!"
A momentary pallor had stolen over
her face while | was speaking speak
ing in my customary hard, harsh
voice, which | strove to render even
harder and harsher than usual-but
she soon recovered from whatever
passing emotion she may have felt,
and gave herself up to the joys OF
vanity and greed, the paramount pas
sion of her nature.
Il shall have the finest jewels in all
Naples" she laughed, dellghtedly.
"How the women viii envy me! But
where are these treasures? May see
them now--immediately?"
mo, not quite iIuiueuidtSly, io~
piled, with a gentle derision that
escaped her observation. Tomorrow
night-our marriage night-you shall
have them. And | must also fulfill
/ a promise | made TO you. You wish
\ TO see me for once without these,
and | touched my dark glasses is
I Il not sou
| She raised her eyes, conveying into
/ their lustrous depths an expression of
melting tenderness.
Yes she murmured: Il want to
see you as you are.
Il fear you will be disappointed,
/ said, with some irony, for my eyes
are not pleasant to look at
Never mind" she returned, gayly.
! Il shall be satisfied If | see them just
once, and we need not have much light
In the room, as the light gives you
pain would not be the cause OF
suffering to you-no, not for all the