The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-12-08

THE MURDERED COUNTESS

ceeded, after breakfast, over the Terni
visiting by the way the curious remain
of an ancient aqueduct, and an arch call
ed the Arch of Hannibal, which he i
said to have passed in triumph after tn,
battle of Thrasymene. Though we hat
but fifteen miles to travel, yet, as we hat
to creep over the Apprentices great par
of it, it was towards the mi Idle of th,
day when we heard our postillions crying
"Via! vial" as we drove up to the door o
the hotel at Ternia. An odd-looking for
eign carriage thatimpeded our way, moved
forward upon this summons, and we tool
its place; and having alighted, were con
Quoted to room on the first floor. evil
there be time enough for us to see the fall.
bto-day?' was our first inquiry, for We
were anxious to reach Rome on the follow
ing evening, and to do this, an early star
was necessary.
Ha ''Certainly," said the host, provided
your excellencies" (excellencies are cheap
there edo not lose time"
However, the air of the mountains had
given us an appetite, and it was agreed
that eat we must before we did anything
else; but it was arranged that, whilst we
took ourrepast, a carriage should set out
Immediately afterwards. In the mean.
while, we took our seats at the window
and looked abroad to see what was to be
. seen
a."What is that building opposite?" in
quired of the waiter.
'"That is the JAIL" he replied.
'sAnd whose carriage is this at the
door?" said 1; for the odd looking foreign
carriage was still there.
"It belongs to the Count and Countess
4" answered he; "they are just going
off to the falls
Effectively, two minutes afterwards, we
saw the footman advance to open the door,
and presently gentleman and lady step
ped out of the house and entered the
vehicle. After handing her in, the Count
turned around and said something to the
host, which gave us an opportunity Of
catching glimpse of his face. 1t was a
young and handsome one, dark, and some
what sallow; his figure, too, was good;
and he was well dressed, in blue coat,
dark trousers andlight waistcoat, Whilst
he was speaking, the lady bent forwards
to observe him, and as she did so, she
caught view of our English phizes at the
window, and looked up at us.
Heavens! what an Italian face that is!''
exclaimed to my companion.
s'What do you mean?" said he.
"Why, mean," I replied, "that there
is ready made romance in it."
"What sort of romance?" inquired
he.
why" I answered, "Vandyck is said
to have predicted, on seeing the portrait
VI AOi " Ou duoIu, tudt HS was ucSGlucU 10
come to bad end; now do not think
that lady is destined to come to good
one."
''She is very handsome observed my
friend.
''Very," I replied; and SO she was
dark complexioned, magnificent full black
eyes, finely formed mouth and nose,
though these were rather on the large
scale, and with that uniformity of color
often so beautiful in Spanish and Italian
women. She was attired in pale silk Of
centre de piche, and wore delicate pink
satin bonnet and an elegant white blond
veil. Whilst we were making these obser-
vations, the gentleman stepped in, the car
riage drove away, and our luncheon being
shortly announced, we ceased to think
more of the Count and Countess L.
AS soon, however, as we had satisfied
the claims of hunger, we remembered the
business that was before us, and calling
for our carriage, we proceeded to the foot
of Mount St. Angelo, where we alighted,
In order to walk up the hill. There stood
the foreign carriage, and I rather hoped
that, as Its owners were still viewing the
falls, we might have an opportunity of in
specting the handsome pair
some children, who were always in
waiting to earn few pence by showing
travellers the way, here joined us, and ad-
vancing leisurely on account of the heat,
we commenced the ascent. There were
gates at different intervals on the road, al
each of which some children were sta.
toned, one or two of whom, after letting
us through, generally, fell into our train
l think we had passed two or three o.
these, when we saw several people hast.
ening down the mountain towardsus, with
speed that implied that they were urged
by some more than common motive. and
as they drew nearer, we distinguished a
clamor, mostly Of children, all talking ss
fast as they could at the topof their voices
and gesticulating with the utmostviolence
"Che sia?" What is the matter?) sale
i to our little guides.
"Non so % I'VE don't know. \ said th ev