Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-10

| your present no1SnC Oh grandeur TO the
lowest depths of infamy and dis
grace"
Il do not fear you" she retorted;
'but l intend you to fear me as every
man should fear the woman he has
deceived. l am no coward, Count
Rinaldo; you might Stay, or torture
me, but you could never cause me to
fear"
She looked SO bright, so brave, so
undaunted, that he felt she spoke the
truth, and that one part of his scheme
had already failed: for Count Rinaldo
had intended to trade upon his wife's
fears. He knew that she was en-
ormously rich, and he had arranged in
bis own mind that she would purchase
his silence at very high price.
But he saw at once there was no
hope of that; he might trade upon her
love, but never upon her fear.
''Inez," he said, gently, 'it is use
less for us to quarrel; let us be
friends; believe me, it will be better
policy for us both"
"Friends,' she repeated, with a tone
of scorn and contempt in her voice
that half maddened him; ''friends.-
to say nothing of the difference that
exists in our position, l, a descendant
of the Monteleones, could never stand
on friendly or equal terms with liar,
traitor, and coward"
'By Heaven, Inez,' he replied, eff
you were man, and dared to say
such words 1 would Stay you"
Being woman, Count Rinaldo,"
she said, with a hooking laugh, 81
dare repeat them; and I tell you again
that you are liar, a traitor, and a
coward
He made a hasty step towards her,
his face livid with anger, and half
raised his hand.
complete the description of your
character" she said; "let me, to those
charming titles, so descriptive of your
nobility, add yet another"
IF you retain any sense or WISDOM"
he replied, you will be silent, and not
irritate me; we shall not perhaps be
here alone much longer. You had
better listen to reason. If you do not,
the moment my Lord Lynne returns,
/ will ask him to restore to me my
wife"
Even then she gave no sign of fear.
Il have much to say to you, Inez," he
continued, rapidly; "do not let us
waste another moment in idle alterca-
ton. We have important interests at
stake"
You have, perhaps" she replied,
carelessly; Il have none"
You shall not irritate me again."
he said land after all, you are fool
ish. Are there many people, think
you, who would credit the story you
have to tell? Were you not very will
ing TO be imposed upon, Inez? Did you
receive the news of my supposed death
very calmly?"
No she replied. May Heaven par
don you my long agony of suspense
and grief
Was it so?' he said; then Luigi
deceived me- he told me you were
easily consoled.'
Il may add that you were easily de-
ceived," she retorted.
Again anger nearly Overpowered
him, but by a strong effort he con-
trolled himself
Nothing can make wrong right, I
know" he continued. Il am not here to
defend my conduct or excuse it; it
was the desperate resort of desperate
man. | did love you,-nay, spare me
that cOntemptuous look,-I did love
you. Had you been rich, I would have
been faithful. Hear me patiently,
pray you, and then say what you will
when l persuaded you to that Sc
cret marriage, I was already a ruined
man. My impetuos love hurried me
along blindly; you were so beautiful
and | loved you so, that l felt that at
any price you must be mine.
Il had borrowed largely in Seville,
on the prospect of my marriage with a
wealthy heiress Donna Maria Fabez.
After I had seen you, 1 gave up all
pursuit of her But a few weeks after
our marriage my life was hunted from
me. Debt, prison, and ruin stared me
in the face I was lost and bewildered.
| Then Donna Maria smiled upon me
again, and almost asked me to follow
her to Madrid. You were the only
| obstacle between me and fortune. I
determined to give you up. I offer
no excuse for what I did. l repented
| of the hasty marriage, which had
plunged both of us into ruin, and l
resolved upon letting you believe that
| was dead. I thought you were young
and would soon forget me. I thought
I should marry Donna Maria, and
share her fortune. In that hope !
was deceived. She used me as a blind
and then cast me off with scant
courtesy
dark look here crossed the
Italians face, which was not pleasant
to see.
4 am telling you the simple truth
Inez," he resumed. When l found
that all further pursuit was useless,
came back to Serranto. l longed tC
see you again. Luigi told me all about
the finding of the letter, and your
anger I did not know whether l had
made up my mind to disclose my
scheme to you or not l longed to see
you: your face haunted me-
, Spare met she cried. You humili
ate me too much when you presume tc
speak of what you call your love-"
; You did not always think so,' ht
replied; but you must hear the
; truth. / remained near Serranto I'M
til one day 1 found that I was linger