Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-07-06

full restless face that looked over the
shrubs: there was a new brightness,
a deeper beauty; the old scornful
WEAKNESS had passed away as a cloud
before the sun. She watched the
gaily dressed ladies now with smile.
Who amongst them had won such love
as she had done?
At that very moment a voice near
her murmured a thousand apologies
foT the intrusion Turning round,
she saw before her the hero OF her
dreams. There was no horse, and 1t
vas morni. 9. so that he must have
been watching and waiting to see her.
Il have longed so much to see you,
signorina,' he said bowling almost to
the ground as he spoke Il wish to
apologize. l fear | alarmed you the
other day by my bad horsemanship.
did not know that you were near
She hardly knew in the confusion
Of the moment what he said or what
replies she made to him. He found
the face that had enchanted him so
lovely, so radiant that he was lost as
he looked upon it, The fresh musical
voice completed the charm, and Count
Rinaldo Montalti who had laughed
all his life at love and lovers, found
himself enslaved by the first smiles of
that beautiful face.
He was too wise and wary to alarm
her. When he had offered his apology
he said how beautiful the grounds OF
Serranto were, how much at some fu-
ture time he should like to walk down
that grove OF orange trees he saw in
the distance; and then, bowling still
more profoundly, he took his leave,
She saw no great wrong in 1t, poor
child, At first she did think of telling
Madame Monteleone, her heart was so
full Of triumph, She must tell some
one; but then, If she did so, it would
all be ended Instinct told her that
this stern lady would never allow her
to speak to a stranger in the grounds
of Serranto. She would simply be
and her brief, bright dream of happi-
ness would be over. No, she must not
tell After all, her grandmamma was
old; she probably knew nothing of
love or romance, she would not I'M
derstand her; and besides, 1t was no
harm, because he loved her.
He made no apology the evening
after that, when, seeing Inez in the
distance, he sprang lightly over the
shrubs, and stood by her side. He
simply bade her good evening, and
asked her If she would show him those
beautiful orange trees.
She walked by his side as one in a
blssful dream, Something in his ac-
cent caught her attention, and look
ing up at him, she said. you are not
a Spanlard, slgnor You do not speak
like one"
Then he drew forth a richly en-
broilered card-case, and taking a
card, offered it to her with a courteous
bow.
II mus, ask permission he said
Ito introduce myself | am an
Italian, as my name shows
She read the name, and thought to
herself how beautiful and musical it
was-"The Count Rinaldo Montalti."
do you like SPAIN" she asked.
half-timidly
1T is my Eden" he replied, quickly;
81 have found my Eve" Then he
stopped abruptly, for he saw some
think like an expression Of fear upon
the beautiful young face.
II did hope" he continued, more
gravely and courteously. "to have the
honor Of seeing Madame Monteleone;
but | am told she is still an invalid I
must wait for better fortune"
4 look Of great relief showed the
young man he had spoken wisely.
DO you know Madame Monte
leone?" she cried u am so glad"
II do not know her" he replied;
"but | hope TO see her as soon as she
is able to receive visitors"
Those few words removed the only
shadow that had yelled the brightness
of her joy. He was so skillful. so
wary, he would have deceived far
more worldly-wise girl than Inez. who
only knew life from books and dreams
He did not even go 50 far as the
orange trees, but left her in a few
minutes, saying that il he were 50
fortunate as to see the signorina an
other eyeiiing in the grounds when
he had more leisure, he should pray to
be allowed the happiness OF speaking
to her
TO be Continued.