The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-30

for glass OF water, and when ne drank
it, went on his way" ..
ThOrburn glanced from one to the
other, and after a moments pause, said
quietly:
81 have had my walk for nothing, il
seems. I will rest for few moments, il
you please, and taste your wine before
going further" ..sa
As Bianco drew back for him to pass,
her eyes met his with look that thrilled
and startled him. Fear, warning, en-
treaty-what did that eloquent glance
express? He felt that it was full OF sig
nifcance if he had but the clue.
The door opened upon the kitchen, a
quaint, homely place, with coarse fres-
Goes on the walls, gaudy cups and plates
displayed on a cupboard, and waxen
image on the chimney piece. One wide,
unglazed easement, with prison like
bars across, looked out upon the fields;
opposite the entrance was another door,
closed. The room was hot and close,
pervaded by musty smell of dried herbs
and beans and onions. ....r.
The man followed them in at once,
and half sat, half leaned on table un-
der the window, with his back to the
light.
Moving like Juno, and looking in her,
homely dress, like Queen in disguise,
Blanca placed before the visitor flash
of wine and half loaf of coarse bread.
care there any remains of the old con-
vent that used to stand here%' he asked,
as he poured out the wine. 81 see nc
ruins" ."'
"They are in the court at the back, u
the man replied; "only cloister and the
bell-tower." ..,....
Thorburn was raising the glass to his
lips. He sat it down untasted. H
apparently our wine is not to your
likingW Moreili remarked.
"The room is close; L feel stifed."
Obeying gesture of her husband, Bi-
anca opened the door, opposite to which
Thorburn was sitting, and admitted a
brilliant food of sunshine.
Outside, in the light and heat was a
spacious weed-grown court yard, in
numbered with wood-stacks, oil-presses,
and heaps of hay and straw.
At one side was damp, dilapidated
stone cloister; at the end a ruined Lom.
bard tower. .... Et.
The artist put his hands before his
eyes, as if the light dazzled him.
He felt creeping chill among the
roots of his hair, and his hands, burning
hot a moment ago, were suddenly damI
and cold. Plainly as if it were then BE-
fore him, he could see the dark vault
the prostrate figure, the dreadful rec
stain on the stone floor
For a moment horror paralyzed him,
but that weakness passed, and left him
deadly calm. His hand was steady, hi
senses quickened, his nerves braced te
meet danger in any shape. He fur
tivelv felt in the breast pocketof his Goa
to make sure that something, withou
which be never travelled, was still there
then rose and approached the door. .,
care those the ruins2 They are pic
turesqe. / should like to have nearer
view of them" aaWo .
"'Scussa," Morelll returned, eve dc
do not make show of them. Ifyou are
curious in old stones, there are plenty tt
be seen elsewhere" "a ..'a
"But / have heard that these are par
ticularily interesting" Thorburn an
swered deliberately, that there is ,
vault or crypt under the tower" .
Who told you tha'?' u.-.. 49,.
Theexclamation seemed to have ESCAPED
him involuntarily. He bit his lip, anc
added hastily: 1is .vo ri n.Ts ~
''There is no crypt; at least, I know o.
none::" -
perhaps you have not looked for it
Curious discoveries are made in sucl
places sometimes" r't.
He spoke the last words looking thu
other full in the eyes.
MorellIs face changed-turned ashy
pale, haggard, terrible; and his hand stolt
to his waistband. But he checked him
self, and after a moments pause, said
with sudden and sinister change O.
manner to ironical courtesy:
swell, Signor, if you are bent OF
making discoveries, I will not thwar
you. You shall see the tower. Com
with us, mia bella,'" he added, turnin!
to his wife, who was standing motionles
in the shadow at the end Of the room.
She came forward moving mechanic
ally, like sleep-walker, her eyes fxe,
upon her husbands face. t' I