Year: 1868

| Ittle Tor mellow much L did not then
know-but relying upon the assurance of
the duke that she was betrothed to his son
honor kept me silent. Her agitation
nearly broke my resolve--but succeeded
in commanding myself-and at last babe
her farewell


went to Rome the next day, and tried
to cure my hopeless passion by an interest
in artist life.


Two weeks from my arrival there read
an extract from a Florence paper, stating
that tho Duke de Salla had died suddenly
at his villa, and his beautiful ward would
retro to convent until the period of her
mourning expired, when she would es-
pouse the new Duke dc Salla. I cannot
tell you, Alice, how L felt on reading that
paper, almost resolved to leave immedi-
ately for home. One week more passed,
and L heard nothing further. During the
close of sultry afternoon I sought soli-
tary thinking spot, in the vast garden that
surrounded the Villa Colonna. I had
been reading, and must have fallen asleep,
for l was suddenly aroused by the sound of
voices in thicket of cypress close beside
me-one loud and commanding-the 9TH
er soft and pleading, and SO low that I
could not understand the words. The
tones of the male voice seemed familiar,
as it angrily spoke: I tell you there is
no alternative you shall wed me, or you
shall enter convent for life. A young
lady of your position must see the necessi-
ty of what l urge. 1t is vain to suppose
that the young American who was prcsu-
ming enough to seek your friendship will
dare offer you his hand.


think I must have felt an intuitive
impression of who .the persons were, for
in one moment | had made my way thro'
the labyrinth of ofcypress, and was confront
ing no other than the Duke dc Salla and
my darling. Nina was half leaning against
rustic seat, her cheeks wet with tears,
and her white hands clasped in an attitude
of supplication.


The instant she saw me she gave glad
cry, and, regardless of all else, sprang to
my arms, where she lay sobbing as if her
heart would break.


Little more remains to be told, Alice.
L had the courage then, before the duke,
to tell her of my love. 1 learned that she
had never been betrothed to him but by
the will of her guardian, who had sole
power over her. She was either to marry
his son, and thereby inherit an equal share
IN the immense estate of the Duke dc Sal
la, or be penniess. Then, having no al
Tentative but that of entering convent
The duke snoeringly told me that unless
she married him she would be beggar.
What cared /. 1 felt rich in the discovc-
ry of Nina's love for me, and 1 told him
so. Taking her on my arm, I assured
him that was the happicst day in my mem
ory, as | would marry Nina that hour.
never saw rage and revenge SO expressed
in countenance before, as was in his as
we left him. Nina informed ME that the
convent she was to enter was Situated
few miles from Rome. They arrived that
day, and as last resort, the Duke induc-
ed her to take walk with him for the last
time. She did so and I knew the rest.
We were married that evening by the aid
Of an Italian priest; and the matter crea-
ted quite furor by its romantic termina-
tion among tho visitors but Nina and I
were too happy to care much for the talk
or romance.


1.-The next week we left for homo and
| Jou ~AiiCC, 81 IIdG 1S uHe WnOlc STORY OF
how / found my darling"


And Frank finished by pressing a kiss
on the rosebud mouth. I could do no less
than follow his example, which I did,
feeling the tears gathering in my eyes,
and breathing an inward blessing upon the
pretty child wife, who gave up such a
brilliant union according to the worlds
verdict through pure womanly devotion
for my brother.


Days passed, and the feeling of sisterly
love increased between Nina and myself.
Yet as look back at that time, through
the midst of long departed years, I can
see that my feelings were more such as
mother might have for child than love
of one sister for another. During the
short time tho sunshine of her presence
shone upon us, no child was ever more
tenderly loved than my brothers wife.
She went through the old rooms, singing
like bird and making our home brighter
than ever. All the servants in the house
worshippcd her, and in consequence SUBJ
mitted to numerous airs on the part of the
French maid, Marie, who was not slow in
displaying her superiority over them.


The summer faded into autumn tints,
when Frank proposed to give grand
party in honor of Nina's eighteenth birth
day, and to display that little lady's charms
to his numerous friends. OF course Nina
was delighted. So orders were given and
invitations sentfor s' September 49," Oh
how well I remember that fatal 18TH"
Frank declared that Nina had not been
married in the usual bridal fnery, she
should appear in full brides costume on
that night. So complete outfit was or
dered in New York-dress, veil, etc.
with one exception: instead of the usual
wreath of orange blossoms, Frank desired
a circlet of pearls.


| / remember Nina's impatience for the
arrival of that day. At last it dawned.
Guests came from. all parts of the coun-
try, and the old homestead was filed with
happy faces. e-1


| went to my room to- dress, for Nina