Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-02-17

thing that could give the smallest
clew to my actions; / left nothing
save furniture and small valuables
a present respectable enough in their
way to the landlord Of the hotel.
1 glanced again at myself in the
mirror. Yes; | was once more Fabio
Romani, in spite Of my white hair;
no one that had ever known me in
timately could doubt my identity. l
had changed my evening dress for a
rough, everyday suit, and now over
this | threw my long Almaviva
cloak, which draped me from head to
foot. | kept it's folds we'll up about
my mouth and chin, and pulled on a
soft slouched hat, with the brim far
down over my eyes. There was no.
thing unusual in such a costume; it
was common enough to many Neapol-
ians who hawke learned to dread the
chill night winds that blow down from
The lofty Apennines in early spring.
Thus attired, too, | knew my features
would be almost invisible to her,
more especially as the place of our
rendezvous was long dim entresol
lighted only by a single oil-lamp, q
passage that led into the garden, one
that was only used for private pur-
poses, having nothing to do with the
ordinary modes of exit and entrance
to and from the hotel.
Into this hall ] now hurried with an
eager step; it was deserted; she was
not there. Impatiently | waited
the minutes seemed hours Sounds
of music foated toward me from the
distant ball-room-the dreamy, swing
ing measure of Viennese waltz. /
could almost hear the flying feet Of
the dancers | was safe from all OBJ
servation where | stood-the servants
were busy preparing the grand mar
riage supper, and all the inhabitants
OF the hotel were absorbed in watch
ing the progress of the brilliant and
exceptional festivities Of the night.
Would she never come? Suppose,
after all. she should escape me! I
trembled at the idea, then put ii from
me with a smile at my own folly
No, her punishment was Just. and in
her case the Fates were inhexible
So | thought and felt. l paced up and
down feverishly; | could count the
thick, heavy throbs of my heart. How
long the moments seemed! Would she
never come? All! at last! | caught the
sound of a rustling robe and light
step--a breath of delicate fragrance
was waited on the air like the odor of
falling orange BLOSSOMS turned
and saw her approaching. With
swift grace she ran up to me az
eagerly as child, her heavy cloak of
rich Russian sable falling back from
her shoulders and displaying her gilt
tCring dress, the dark fur of the hood
frightening by contrast the fairness
Of her lovely flushed face, so that ID
looked like the face of one Of Cor.
reggio's angels framed in ebony and
velvet She laughed, and her eyes
flashed saucily.
Did | keep you waiting, caro- mio?"
she whispered; and standing on tiptoe
SAt hlSStu llt manu- Win WHICH
held my cloak muffied about me
How tan you look in that Almaviva;
am sorry l am a little late, but
that last waltz was so exquisite
could not resist it: only | wish you
had danced it with me-"
You honor me by the wish | said
keeping one arm about her waist and
drawing her toward the door that
opened into the garden. Tell me, how
did you manage to leave the ball.
room?"
"Oh, easily. l slipped away from
my partner at the end OF the waltz
and told him | should return immedi-
ately. Then | ran upstairs TO my
room, got my cloak-and here | am.
And she laughed again. She was
evidently in the highest spirits.
you are very good TO come with
me at all, mia bella. | murmured as
gently as l could; 1T is kind of you
to thus humor my fancy. Did you see
your maid? does she know where you
are going?"
she? Oh, no. she was not In my
room at all. She is a great coq1ette,
you know, dare say she is amusing
herself with the walters in the kit
chen Poor thing | hope she enjoys
it."
breathed freely: we were so far uu.
discovered No one had as yet
noticed our departure no one had the
least Glow to my intentions. I
opened the door of the passage noise,
lessIy. and we passed out, Wrap
ping my wife's cloak more closely
about her with much apparent ttader-
ness. l led her quickly across the
garden. There was no one in sigh
we were entirely unobseryed. on
reaching the exterior gate of the in
closure lett her for moment
whiIa 7 summoned a carriage com