The Elbert County tribune., 1908-02-06
ready 10. business

:, pocket ready Iol business.~
A moment later the usual coneratu.
lations and kisses have been given,
the party are about to turn to the din
ing-room, where the wedding supper
Is spread, there to drink the brides
health before she fits away.
But their ste are stayed by the
sound of prancing steeds announcing
the coming of the belated yet only
invited guest. "Oh. at last! But you
are late,v cries Prunella, ecstatically,
as she runs into the hall. Just time,
Count Cipriano, to toast the bride"
yes, an unfortunate accident to
my horses" enters to them In soft,
southern voice from the hallway,
where Prunella is interviewing the
cavalier she has been waiting for so
eagerly.
AS this takes place, Edwin whis-
pers: 'I'll keep my eye on the beg
gar"
"And I'll talk to the gentleman as
soon as l can get chance. and If he
doesn't give me clean bill OF
health"
The rest of HARNESS speech Is Inter
rupted by the entry of the object Of
their suspicious. Count Cipiano
greets the company with extreme po-
liteness.
Upon the ceremony Marina had
looked with very pale face, but now
two hectic spots flame in either cheek
as she returns the salute of Danella,
who murmurs: "'Tis years since /
saw you-the little girl poor Musso
loved. You have grown into a beauti-
full woman-you who were my dead
brothers ward"
But soon after, as the champagne
sparkles. the count toasts the bride
very gallantly. remarking on her
youthful English beauty. "Signore
Barnes should be very happy man."
he whispers to her, and goes on chat
ting so unaffectedly and pleasantly
that Enid, who had looked upon his
entrance as If he were Mephisto him
self, begins to think this pleasant
voiced but vivacious-mannered gentle
man is not SO dangerous as she sus-
pected.
Dressed in the deep mourning OF
southern France, the high Corsican
hat he still carries in his hand lends
picturesqueness to Cipriano's costume.
Notwithstanding his somber garb,
soon the gentleman is laughing with
Lady Chartris; Maud driving her
mother distracted by crying: I'm
only IL, but I'm as tall as the bride,
amt /, mamma, dear?" and standing
up back to back with Enid, making a
great juvenile display of baby waist
and pink silken stockings.
It's her high-heeled slippers" cries
her mother. angrily. THE deceitful
child is standing on tip-toe!"
ma fol. la petite is anxious to be
married herself" smiles Cipriano
Amt II" cries Maud, merrily. "Ask
mamma for me, count"
"Oh, mercy, the champagne has
gone to the minx's head" gasps Lady
Chartris, savagely. But Corresio has
again devoted his attention to Marina.
AS well he may her dark. liquid eyes
carrying in their depths the passion
of the south, yet always seeming to
ask this man a pathetic question
one his orbs refuse to answer, though
several times there is so amorous
CLEAN in them that the young English
husband would like to take their own
er by the throat.
At the first oppor tunity, while the
ladies are gathered about Enid talk
ing to her of her yachting cruise,
Barnes says to Danella: "A few words
in private with you. please, count"
Certainly. l was about to request
that myself" remarks Cipriano.
Perhaps the garden would be more
secluded" and the American. ready
for action, keeping his eye upon his
visitor. politely opens the door and
bows him out into the grounds.
His visitor walks we'll into the shade
of the orange ad citron trees. passing
to where a rift in the foliage permits
view of the boat landing, which in
the coming night is now hardly dis
cernible Here he pauses carelessly,
his brilliant orbs occasionally directed
toward the water. A moment later he
observes quietly: your wedding
made me sad Signore."
tTo BE CoNTINUED)