Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-02-15

Continued.

Yes; you would soon be declining
with thanks" he laughed. mo, no;
no promises, Lora, or you would be
breaking your word"
The smile fingered on her face. She
felt so free today, as light as a bird
escaped from its cage; like a flower
when 1t feels the first sunshine, after
a long period of rain; as only young
heart can feel when fiattered by delici-
Gus hope, after a time of heavy sor-
row.
When the general had gone to his
room, after tea, she stepped out upon
the tiny balcony, which hung, like a
swallows nest, over the little court.
And involuntarily the sweet dreams
came back. as she listened to the
FLASHING of the fountain below. Far,
far away from Rome, in her distant
home. her thoughts were busy; she
could see it so plainly, the house with
the clear gable window. And he would
pardon her, he would be sure to,
when she told him what had sep
arated them before. She was certain
of It, perfectly certain. He could
not forget her any more than she could
forget him, for their love was too
true, too real. All happy future, what
will you bring?
Commas soft voice called her back
10 the present She was excusing
herself, she had quite forgotten, sne
said, that a letter had come for the
signora; here it was, and she also
wished to know If the slgnora would
wish to go to bed at once. She
Comma. wished to know, for she
wanted TO go TO the theater-she had
had a ticket given her by the Signor
Ingelese on the first noor-and "if
the signora does not wish for anything
more this evening"
ooh. to be sure; you can 60" re-
piled Lora pleasantly, going toward
the lamp with the letter.
The girl quickly cleared the table,
giving stolen glances at the lovely
face of he fair woman who held the
letter thoughtfully in her hand, and
though II must be from the distant
sposo. II was pity that they were
going away so soon, the old eccellenza,
they were such quiet dodgers, giving
so little trouble-not half so trouble
some as the Inglesi, downstairs. She
left the room with a pleasant felice-
nctte
Lora shut the door behind her.
then came back to the tapie, nestled
down in the sofa, and opened ner let
ter
All at once she turned deathly pale
and sat bolt upright. She sat motion
less for awhile, her eyes fixed on
vacancy, her hands pressed tightly to-
eether on her lap.
The letter lay on the table, II con
TENED only few hurried lines.
Lcia's face twitched convulsively
A smile still fingered about her
mouth, but in terrible contrast were
the livid lips, and the eyes, which
seemed absolutely sunkeu for the
moment. She got up at length. slowly
and heavily. like an old woman, crept
to her room, and shut the door behind
her The lamp in the deserted room
flickered in the cool night wind. which
streamed in from the balcony. II
blew out the tabie-cover and swept
down the letter, which had brought
the news of Katie's engagement. II
fluttered across to the door. behind
which Lora had disappeared. as II II
would penetrate even here with its
message.
II was still as death; only once
there sounded something like cry
of pain from the next room.
Good heavens, child, how you
look" cried the general the next day
as he entered the salotto, at the usual
hour.
She looked beyond him as she gave
him her hand. and asked how he had
slept
That would-if you should get the
fever. For Heavens sake-Gemma
shall go for the doctor"
Thank you, uncle, but | am quite
we'll"
Nay, nay" muttered the oA gentle
man suspiciously: don't try TO make
yourself out stronger than you are,
and. beg of you. don't so home sick.
Before that shall be quite well,
uncle
Yes, my dear; but We can so very
soon, now" The old general smiled
slyly. and took letter out of his
pocket. Look! That | found, last
night. on the table of my bed. 1t is
the act of divorce. You are free
Lorchen."
She nodded slightly.
Il am glad. uncle" she said YEARLY
Il thank you very much. you have
taken so much trouble for me-"
What should she do with her free
dom?
The general turned red. He wa
vexed at this Indifference. Iester
cay she could hardly wait for TIN
document to come which should re
lease her from the bonds of her hate
marriage.
-. IA