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


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 Naapol-
1ans who hawke learned to dread the
chill night winds that blow down from
the lofty Apepnines in early spring.
Thus attired, too, knew my features
would be almost invisible to her,
more especially as the place of our
rendezvous was a long dim entresol
lighted only by a single oil-lamp, g
passage that led into the garden. one
that was only used for private pur-
poses, having nothing to do with the
oldinary 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 1 waited
the minutes seemed hours. Sounds
Of music f1oated toward me from the
distant ball-room-the dreamy, swing
ing measure of a Viennese waltz. T
could almost hear the flying feet of
the dancers. l was safe from all OBJ
serVation where I stood-the servants
were busy preparing the grand mar
rage 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!
tIembled at the idea, then put it from
me with a smile at my own folly
NO, her punishment was just. and in
her case the Fates were infiexible
So I thought and felt. I paced up and
down feverishly; 1 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 a 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 as
eagerly as a child, her heavy cloak of
rich Russian sable falling back from
her shoulders and displaying her gilt
tering dress, the dark fur of the hood
heightening by contrast the fairness
of her lovely flushed face, so that it
looked like the face of one of Cor
reggio's angels framed in ebony and
velvet. She laughed, and her eyes
flashed saucily.
did 1 keep you waiting, caro- mio?"
she whispered; and standing on tiptoe
she kissed the hand with which
held my cloak muff1ed about me-
How tall you look in that Almaviva;
am sorry l am little late, but
that last waltz was so exquisite I
could not resist it; only I wish you
had danced it with me-
You honor me by the WISH" I 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?''
ooh, easily. | slipped away from
my partner at the end of the waltz
and told him / should return immedi-
ately. Then l 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 I murmured as
gently as [ could; sit 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 coqIette,
you know; l dare say she is amusing
herself with the walters in the kit
chen. Poor thing. | hope she enjoys
it."
l breathed freely; we were so far I'M
discovered. No one had as yet
noticed our departure-no one had the
least cleW to my Intentions
opened the door of the passage noise
lessly, and we passed out. Wrap
ping my wifeS cloak more closely
about her with much apparent tender
ness, l led her quickly across the
garden. There was no one in sigh
we were entirely unobserved. On
reaching the exterior gate of the in
closure | left her for moment
while I summoned a carriage, a CON-
mon fiacre. She expressed some sur
prise on seeing the vehicle.
81 thought we were not going ftr?"
she said
1 treasured her on this point, tell
ing her that | only desired to spare
her all possible fatigue. Satisfied
with this explanation, she suffered me
to assist her into the carriage.
followed her, and calling to the
driver, "A la Villa Guards we rat
tied away over the rough uneven
stones of the back streets of the city.
La Villa Guarda!" exclaimed Nina.
where is that?'
1T is an old house." I replied, "sit-
uated near the place 1 spoke to you
Of, where the jewels are
J "Oh!''
And apparently contented, she
nestled back in the carriage, permit
. ting her head to rest lightly on my
shoulder. l drew her closer to me, my
heart beating with fierce, terrible
, joy.
'Mine-mine at last!" 1 whispered
: in her ear. Mine forever!'
She turned her face upward and
J smiled VIGOROUSLY; her cool fra
, grant lips met my burning, eager
ones in a close passionate kiss. Yes