The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-02-12


ing. Ny servant accompanied me az
far as the door. and ! sent him back
for greater preeaution. Now as ! was
going up the stairs, ! heard the noise
Of footsteps alarmed, withdrew
they heard me, and came tumbling
down the stairway toward me! Then
| lost my head, came out. and without
even looking behind me, took refuge
in the archway Of this mansion, hop
ing that they did not see me enter.
| was mistaken; they followed me;
came up softly as far as this landing
found door open, and you know
the rest, you who protected me with
out even knowing who | was. Ard
for that, sir, permit me TO thank you,
because, although for myself ! had
nothing TO fear, my dignity as wo-
man, was imperiled by being alone, at
night, and followed in that mannerl
OH my God tremble to think Of it.
You are right, madam, said Rober-
70, as she finished speaking, you are
right. A woman alone, at night, and
so pretty like you o.. But why
are you so beautiful?
And with this sudden exclamation,
Roberto Fenoglio uttered long sigh.
What is the matter? she asked in
her turn.
A-ing -fo-hi! he answered signing
anew.
And what does that sentence mean?
II means, madam, -. But first OF
all will you promise not to be angry?
| promise on condition that you pay
me no compliments.
Oh! it will be nothing but sacred
truth: / shall tell you what feel and
nothing more. Do you know what hap
pens TO sulphur when a ray of sun
shine passing through lens comes
20 strike it,
| believe 1t is kindled, but | could
not swear to it, because ! am not up in
physics.
OH you may swear to it, madam,
you may indeed swear to it! This is
what happened to me, since you enter
ed this place, that is totsay, rather,
since | awakened. You are the sun
beam; the strange circumstance which
has led you here, is the lens; finally, ]
am the sulphur. |, Roberto Fenoglio,
lawyer, and bachelor into the bargain.
And are you maid?
No, sir.
All! you have hsubandl
Neither; had one.
You are a widow, then! A widow! |!
oh sweet name! You are widow and
beautiful But all this is dream =.
To give oneself up to the unknown!
Let fate work! -. The unknown has
come, fate has worked a miraclel
What are you talking about now? ?
Let me speak, madam; | am speak
ing by my guardian angel. Do you
not believe | have guardian angel? ?
1t is he who led you up here: permit
me TO worship in you the DEGREES OF
Divine Providence. And to have de-
clared yourself my wife! Was not
that voice from heaven? Abraham's
vocation was determined by much
lighter causes. In short, madam, |
come straightway to the end ofmy dis
course, which may seem TO you rather
disjointed; but ] know what | am talk
ing about, and that is sufficient. What
would you say to a man not old, nor
altogether displeasing, with an income
Of twenty thousand francs to say moth
ing Of maternal uncle, decrepit,
childless, and with half a million? . =.
would say, answered the lady who
was no stranger to banter, that he is
a fortunate man.
You DO not understand me; ] shall
have to be more explicit. What would
YOU think Of this man, II he offered
you his hand, sfter having humbly
asked fof yours !
/ should say that he is very foolish,
10 conceive such designs and still more
foolish in revealing them 70 me, the
first time he sees me, and under such
as these.
Roberto Fenoglio bowed his head
and Lex his hands hang down alongside
The arms of the chair upon which he
haG sea,el himself when he eommcnc-
-d this dialogue.
wsnen are an aLikel De exclaimed
signing
An alike. you say2 and why
Whyg Roberto FenoElo replied
with bitterness. sou SIN ask nae why,
Because they delight in .e- ent1e
hear 81 ma6. tsm.ne 81 ever a-5
5v.r Ga alI possible vas payirE up-
IN t with tber eat-.lse nails witch
r. vh ser they touch end always
draw blood say o. ,hem ] love sou;
.7u utter ire wcrds with aI tle sn-
st Fr -