The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-09-29


name. Nay, nay, do not look offended
II you wish your secret to be safe, tell
me to be silent; but do not think to dupe
me. DO not mistake your friend; | ask
no confidence. wish to know nothing
that YOU would not freely tell me, quite
unnaSkcd; but, my friend, (my child, |
had almost said,) can you seriously ina
gIne that | am to be deceived like the
crowd! | who have known and studied
you SO long! wlro have watched over
you since your earl Y childhood? There is
secret, is there not!"
There may be, and there may not be-"
replied FleSco, rather haughtiy.
THAT is" said Pansa, "you own the fact,
hut do not choose to take me into your
oounvs."
81 did not say so," replied Ficsco; 'but
-" and he hesitatcd.
NAY, my friend" exclaimed Pansa
you need not hesitate as if you thought
1t right to weigh well the advantages of
making me a confidant or not. | tell YOU
plainly that | should decidedly refuse that
confidence, if it were rendered. Iwish for
AN answer TO one question, and ] have
done. | expect your fiery spirit will take
1t as AN insult; but for that / care not
Are YOU seeking any selfish end? Answer
me this question"
81 had struck down almost any man at
such Il aqucStiou," said the Count of Lavap.
ma; but to you answer at once: have
no selfish end in view, but one as grand
and glorious as an ancient Romans"
Il will not doubt your word, my son:
but beware, lest i'll this secret plot Of your,
III which You evidently make so many
duws beware, lest YOU are making your
self the greatest. You know always had
Il rough, blunt way of speaking; and,
therefore, you may bear with me while
tell YOU that like not our affected friend
ship with Giannetino DOria, a man YOU
haze. saw you arm and arm with him
few days since. | saw you coming with
him from the Doria Palace this very
morning. saw you take his children,
his mothcrIcss children, in your arms, as
1t you loved them. There may be policy
in this, and many other ways of yours
that | have lately noted; but there is a
lack Of honesty that cannot tolerate"
"Stop, stop, | cntrcat you," exclaimed
ficSco, III voice scarcely louder than
whisper, his cheek becoming Of ashy pale
ne, ness, and his eyes garing in their deep
snow-white hairs. shall 90 mad If you
continue speaking such stabhling words"
"Thcre's no occasion for all this violence,
boy. No, 10, not boy" said Pansa, check
ing himself, and looking with affection on
his pupil. 81 meant not to insult or hurt
you. Not boy; except in one sense, ex-
ccpt when | address you as my son; for as
my son ever must regard YOU"
a servant entered here, announcing to
his master that the Signors Vcrrina and
Caliogno were waiting below.
81 will see them presently" said Fiesco.
"And as '" said Pansa, "wish to see
one nor the other, (for, to tell the truth, |
have no opinion of thcm,) | shall take my
leave. This door will lead me. will it not,
Ficsco, to the apartments of your wife,
the loveliest and the sweetest gentlewoman
that have ever known"
"Leonora always sees you with delight"
said Fiesco, throwning opcr the door for
Pansa; land you will find her in her fa-
,orite room, or on the terrace, looking to-
wards the sea-"
Those chldrenw said Fiesco to himself
when left alone; "he touched me there. |
felt villain when kissedthose children!
A woman passed md said, That mans a
father" and Giannetino, whom / hate,
smiled with such fond, patcrnal love, that
all my hatred turned, for moment, back
upon myself. felt myself no father, but
a low, treacherous william. If ever the
great enemy Of man er tered my heart, il
was when kissed those children"
For many minutes he walked up and
down the library, deep in thought, and he
managed in those minutes to find argu-
nents and excuses enough to satisfy him
self. 81 am justified" he said, "thorough-
ly, certainly justified. in using any means
for such an end! CaIiogno, Verrina, my
good friends, you are most welcomep
"Your fete will be magnificent tonight,
lady," said Pec!o Panso, rs, many DAYS
afterwards, he entered the apartment
where the Countess Lavagna was sitting
my fete" replied the lady, looking up
with stare Of astonishment: II never
had less idea Of fete. or felt less inclined
for one, than on this evening. have
been reading, IN this my favorite saloon,
with no sound but the light splaslline Of
that little fountain in my ears. Open the
lattices, Blanca; since the sun has left us,
the light breeze may enter at its own
sweet will. Shall we remain here, by the
margain Of the fountain, or shall we go
into this open corridor, and sit down a.
mong the jasmines and orange treesl NY
fete will be magnificent indeed" she said,
and smiled. "See how the large and full
orbed moon is rising! Out Of the very
waves, she seems to come like rich gold
en- urn of light and now she pours her
lustre back into the sea, and heayes a
quiyering and lengthening line Of light, as
she glides upwards, Frightening as she