The Van Buren press., 1878-10-22

Countess are very respectable couple,
who have long been intimate with the
Wares"
"And what are they all doing In
here p
"The same as we are doing" replied
the gondolicr, with SMILE"
THE attraction Of the mystery2"
"That is, without doubt"
"But do you think we will make any
discovery with regard to the identity Of
the spiritF"
~ do not Spirits, my lord, do not
even appear in the midst OF such con.
course as is now assembled hereabouts !;
and II, as some are bold enough to de-
clare, the reputed spirit is young wo
man OF our city, she will not be very
likely to exhibit herself to such pro.
miscuous crowd as has heen attracted
hither." 1----@--------l-.---.--.-.--.--
A large assemb,age of boats had now
arrived in the vicinity Of the Lido,
taking up their positions around the
supposed locale Of the mysterious dis
appearance, in such manner as to
leave an open space in the form of q
circle, and half mile in diameter, ms
the center upon which all eyes were
fixed.
"There has been asmall collection here
for several evenings said the Counts
gondolier, sin expectation Of seeing
the spirit but their curiosity has not been
gratitied. In fact, the spirit has not ap-
peared within fortnight, and not at all
since the attention of the public was di.
reeted to the affair"
As the gondolies ceased speaking, the
Count of Lantano saw that great deal
of attention was being besto wed upon
gondola advancing from the direction of
the city. He was not able, on account of
the interviewing boats, to discover the
exact occasion of the excitement, which
began to 60 the rounds Of the circle, the
more especially as not word was utter
ed aloud
1t was not long, however. ere that por-
ton of the circle Of boats which was on
the side next to the city parted in twain,
leaving an open space between them, by
which the approaching gondola might ad
vance to the center of the circle.
A few minutes later, the cause Of all
the excitement was apparent to the Oh.
servers.
1t is the spirit" said the gondolier
of the Count of Lontauo, in q whisper.
"its appearances agrees with oil the re.
liable information have gathered on the
subject"
The reputed spirit OF the Lido was
alone IN an uncovered gondola. which
she herself sculled slowly through the
water, keeping her eyes fixed on the
direction Of the spot where the tyrants
noblest OF men She wore long and
flowing garment Of snowy whiteness, and
her unbound hair Aoated in wavy ringlels
around neck and shoulders of exqui-
site beauty,
GOOD heavens is it possible ?" cried
the Count OF Lontano, after gazing long
and earnestly upon the mysterious being,
~ could swear, without any scruples,
that am gazing on the face and figure
of Signora Ludovico, my own bctrothed,
whom l have not seen for two months, f"
he added, shaving been absent from the
city"
"Does the lady walk in her sleep, my
lord ?"
The Count started-arose to his feet
with considerable Observation-Disclosures
gazing, rubbing alternately his eyes and
his glass-then sat down with a smile up
on his features.
"Mers's grandfather was drowned by
the government in the Lido" he mutter-
ed, "and that must be the reason of her
visits"
The gondola of the reputed spirit
was now resting motionless in the CEN
ter of the encircling boats, while she
herself remained silent and motionless
therein, her arms folded upon her
bosom, and her eyes turned toward hea.
ven
1t was not long ere strange feature
was given to the scene.
The gondola and the mysterious being
therein. while all eyes we're fixed so in
tently upon it. suddenly disappeared be
meath the surface OF the sea- But few Of
those who witnessed the event could
realize its actuality, ere the closing wa
tiers we're as placid above the suuken gon-
dola and its burden as the brow of q
smiling babe.
There arose from vii those spectators
q wild cry of horror and establishment
with fear and superstition, While
boat after boat shot forward in the direc-
ton of the spot.
Hasten, hasten " cried the Count OF
Lontano to his gondolier. II was proba.
bly, miataken in thinking knew the lady ;
bat it is my duty and privilege to make
some effort to save the mysterious and
unfortunate being"
The gondolier regarded the Count
dxedly, without touching the oars,
while single smile rested upon his fea-
lures.
"That is not woman. my lord ~ said
he, with the quietness peculiar to him
self.
"Not woman ?" cred the Count
would you attempt to make me believe
It was a spirit''
at was not spirit
What! Would you have me distrust
that have seen any woman or gondola
At all 7"
The boatman repeated his eurnest
scrutiny of the Counts features, aud
replied to his question by asking an
other.
"Can your lordship keep an important
secret?"
Certainly responded the Count,