Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-10-03
ian by birth, although he might easily

nave OGCu ldkcu 1Ol -
81 cannot tell how l first knew that
loved him; it seemed then as II had
known him and loved him all my life.
But he soon knew the state of my
heart. for he had experience, though
had none; and, blinded though I was
by girls first passion. soon under
stood that he was not good man.
HE made furious, passionate love to
me; but he never spoke OF marriage
till he saw he could only win me by q
wedding ring. He found the priest and
I found the ring, for, though he was
evidently a gentleman born, and a fine
scholar. he was, just then. as poor as
myself. But l was not critical.
II remained in my situation, though
I told my mistress that was married,
and showed her my marriage lines.
She scolded me roIndly: but had be-
come useful to her, so she did not dis
charge me.
II was happy. deliriously happy. for
few short months, and then Antonio
disappeared. Day after day T hoped
and prayed for his return. but he did
not come. Then I mourned him as
dead, for I would not believe that he
hail deserted me.
II grew sick: my health failed SO
that L could not attend to my duties,
anc my mistress discharged me. Some
months of misery followed, until. aft az
weeks OF suffering in a public hospital,
i was enabled once more to obtain
situation as lady's maid. Ny new mis-
tress, an italian lady of rank, the Mar
cheese del Castellani. was singularly
unprepossessing lady of great wealth,
but of a kind and gentle nature.
My mistress loved the child, too:
she never tired of gazing on him and
holding him in her arms. She would
have given half of all her wealth and
estates to have had Tonic for her very
own. Her husband-the Marquis del
Castellani-T had never seen. They
were not separated, as I learned from
the talk of the other servants, only be-
cause the marchesa was infatuated
about him.
cone day when came down to
breakfast there was runor among
the servants that the marquis had re-
turned, and as soon as I saw the mar
chesa I knew that it was true. She
looked radiant. Her pale, sallow face
was, TRANSPORTED by an expression SO
joyous that she was almost handsome.
II was seated in a room opening off
the grand salon, darnirg a fine lace
curtain which pet dog had torn, when
my mistress called tc me:
"'Leonce, come here and bring To-
nio!'-for my babe was playing at my
feet on the floor while sewed, and my
attention was divided between my
work and the cherub who was cooling
and smiling up at me.
'Basta-basta, Teresa! Bid her not
bring the brat here; you know I hate
children!' said voice in Italian.
Il only misunderstood the foreign
words-but the voice! My blood seemed
to curdle and grow thick in my veins.
1 caught up Tonic, clutching him tight
ly, and then I made one step out in the
salon and looked at the man who had
spoken. Yes; it was my child's father
Antonio, the Marquis of Castellani
II did not faint, madam; 1 did not
cry out; I merely stood before him and
stared mutely in his face. No sign Of
recognition there-not even a look that
told he had ever seen me before that
instant.
Il turned and left the room, my little
Tonic clasped to my heart that seemed
to have become stone. My mistress
only thought I felt wounded at the re-
ception given to my child, and when we
were next alone, laughingly apologizei
for her husbands Jack of appreciation.
She had no suspicion of the truth, and
it would have been cruel and useless in
me to have enlightened her.
Il cast about in my mind for some
excuse to leave the house. I believed
that I hated the man who bad wronged
me, and I felt that I must see him no
more. But soon found that the pow
err, the fascination he possessed over me
was greater than ever.
Il fled with my child to America. :
Away from this terrible man, my
horror Of him increased to positive de-
testation. I no longer loved him, and
felt that if I never saw him again I
was safe, and could defy his power. I
have lived in comfort i'll New York for
nearly four years. I easily secured a
situation as lady's maid, and my little
Tonic Was cared for by kind country
woman Of my own.
"A few months ago ny mistress de-
ci6ed to go to France, and she was anx
ius to have me go with her; but all
Paris would not have tempted me to
return there, and so we parted.
s'Then fortune favored me, madam,
for I entered your service, and here I
would have been so he rpy, so content
ed, but for the sorrows that have over
taken madam, and then-ah, Mon Dieu!
1 met him again. My evil fate directed
me to this house., We met face to face,
and / knew that I was in his power
again!"
But why leave me, Leonce? You
have told me your whole story, my poor
girl. There is nothing for me to dis
cover. You have my pity, my sympathy.
You shall also ha re my help. I will
protect you against this monster to the
utmost of my ability. You shall even
have your child; bring him here; he
shall be loved and cared for as he can
not be now; he will be the pet of the
house. My mother will love MIN; she
has perfect passion for children"
Leonce wrung her hands in anguish.
DO not tempt me, madam!" she
cried. ooh, for heavens sake, do not
tempt me! You don't know What 1t
costs me to refuse, but I dare not &C.
ccpt! You cannot understand Antonios
power over me. File has even planned