The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-08-25
Miscellaneous.
A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY.
THE. ADVENTURES, COUNT AND COUNT
ESS FORNELLI.

In the year 1884, a couple protesting to
belong to the Neapolitan nobility, made
their appearance in London at the beginning
of the fashionable season, and, by their APP
parent wealth, certain letters of introduction
which they brought, and their evident IA
miliarity with the manners of aristocratic
society, speedily ingratiated themselves in
the favor of the best families, and were well
come visitors at every place of fashionable
resort. The man who called himself the
Count Fornelli, was tall, dark, grave per-
son, with a studied courtliness Of manner
which could not fail to impress all with
whom he was brought in contact, while the
Countess was one Of those queenly magnifi-
cent brunettes, with flashing black eyes,
raven hair and pouting, voluptuous lips, OF
whom Naples is so justly proud as her
daughters.
Both spoke English we'll, but with slight
accent, which did not detract, however, from
the melodious charm of the lady's converse
ton, or render the gentleman's less enter
tanning. There was nothing in their man
ner, habit, or surroundings which could
awaken even the ever ready suspicion of the
| English people with whom they were in con-
stant contact and intimacy, and, such were
the golden opinions that they won on all
sides that, when early in 1886, the ill-health
of the Countess demanded that they should
pass the summer ut some of the fashionable
watering places on the continent, their de-
parture was Il cause of real regret to very
large circle Of warm personal friends.
For two years thereafter, Count Fornelli
and his wife remained on the continent,
travelling frequently, olttimes stopping fol
weeks together at queer out'oi-the-way
places again blooming out in grand style al
the noted resorts of Switzerland, Germany
and France, everywhere meeting English
friends, and-as it was afterward discovered
everywhere fleeing them out of large sum:
of money. In those days everybody gamblec
everybody at least who moved in aristocra
tic society, and play ran as high as the play
ers' means admitted.
Count Fornolli and his charming wifi
| were uGNcI hHOWHb 81 idi dS hHy pOuy Soui'
remember, to propose to play for money! ,bu
were fond OF social games of cards, for n,
stakes at all or for stakes so small that the,
might as well not have been made. Indeed
the Countess was so afraid of the excitement
of gaming that when play ran high her hea
would begin to ACHE and she would eithe
retire from the room or occupy herself witt
providing refreshments for the players. AN
she used to be very angry with her HUSBAND
for acceding to the wishes of his visitor.
who preferred to bet rouleaus of gold instea
of six-pences, and would tell them, witt
such infinite prettiness of manner, that sh
chopped they would win all his money, s
that he would never do such terrible gamb
ling any more" and would lean over thei
shoulders, if they were young men, and in
toxicate them with the warmth of her per
fumed breath upon their necks, while sh
adroitly telegraphed to her husband wha
cards they held. ...-
In plain truth, Count Fornelli and hi
beautiful Countess were pair of extraorli
nary cunning adventures, totally unprnci
pied and skillful gamblers, whose stay il
England and maintenance Of rigid propriet,
during their stay there were but part of
deeply laid scheme to ingratiate themselve
iinto the confidence of rich English people