Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-20

he held down ON the ground, he
stretched out his hand half timidly,
half frankly. l shook it warmly and
babe him farewell.
Per Bacco!" he said, with Il sort of
shamefaced eagerness, the very devil
must have caught my tongue in his fin
gers! There is something | ought to
say to you, eccellenza, but for my life
l cannot find the right words. must
thank you better when l see you next
And thus We parted, never to meet
again-he to the strong glad life that
is born OF the wind and sea, and l to
But let me not anticipate Step by
step through the labyrinths of memory
let me go over the old ground watered
with blood ana tears, not missing one
sharp stone of detail on the drear path
way leading to the bitter end.
That same evening l had an inter
view with Vincenzo. He was melan-
choly ana taciturn-a mood which was
the result of an announcement | had
previously made to him-namely, that
| his services would not be required dur
ing my wedding-trip. He had hoped
to accompany me and to occupy the
position of courier, valet, malor-domo.
and generally confidential attendant
a hope which HAD partially soothed
the vexation he had evidently felt at
the notion of my marrying at all.
His plans were now frustrated, and
If ever the good-natured fellow could
be ill-tempered, he was assuredly so
on this occasion He stood before me
with his usual respectful air, but he
avoided my glance, and kept his eyes
studlously fixed on the pattern of the
carpet. l addressed him with an air
of gayety.
'Ebbene, Vincenzo! Joy comes at
last, you see, even to me! Tomorrow
l shall wed the Countess Romani-
the loveliest and perhaps the richest
woman in Naples!"
Il know it, eccelIenza.'
This with the same obstinately fixed
countenance and downward glance.
''You are not very pleased, l think,
at the prospect of my happiness?'' /
asked, banteringly
He glanced UP for AN instant, then
as quickly down again.
IF one could be sure that the illus
trissimo eccellenza was indeed happy.
that would be good thing" he an
swered, obviously.
And are you not sure?"
He paused, then replied firmly:
No; the eccel, enza does not look
happy. No, 10, davvero! He has the
air of being sorrowful and i'll, both to-
gether'
I shrugged my shoulders indiffer-
emily.
you mistake me, Vincenzo. 1 am
Well-verv well-and happy! Gran
Dio! who could be happier? But what
of my health or happiness they are
nothing to me, and should be less to
you Listen; l have something | wish
you to do for me-
He gave me a s;delong and half-ex-
pectant glance. | went on:
Tomorrow evening | want you to
go to Avellino'
He was utterly astonished.
ITO Avellino!" he murmured under
his breath, ito Avellino!"
Yes, to Avellino,'' | repeated, some
what impatiently. 'Is there anything
SO surprising in that? You will take
a letter from me to the Signora
Monti. Look you, Vincenzo, you have
been faithful and obedient so far, ex-
pect implicit fidelity and obedience
still. You will not be nee6ed tomor-
row after The marriage ball has once
begun; you can take the nine O'Clock
train to Avellino, and-understand
me-you will remain there till you re-
ceive further news from me- You will
not have to wait long, and in the
meantime here | smiled, you can
make love to Lila
Vincenzo did not return the smile.
To be Continued.