New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-11-16


bitterly, ..who would be the friend Of
the gambler. Ernesto Moralvip"
'.Ernesto Moralvi!' cried the sur.
geon.
THAT is my name." cried the inva-
lid.
Sand you speak Of wanting crustr'
continued the surgeon. '.Signor Mo.
ralvi. it is my pleasant duty to inform
You that you are placed above want BY
! D circumstance"
''Indeed, sir! Speak-do not keep
me in suspense T.
Tho death of your uncle without q
will has left you heir to princely for
tune. was his medical attendant /;
and have written to Rome and Naples
lin . word, to every city in Italy to
seek you -
providence has not deserted me,
then r. CALCULATED ErnoSto; and he
tainted through excess Of Joy.
All Florence was excited by the news
that the heir to the immense wealth of
the old banker, Signor Moralvi, about
year previously, had at length been
found. But Ernesto was an altered
man. He Stunned all pleasure; and
the mere sight Of card made him
shudder and he passed his time buried
in his library, or in long, solitary
rambles-sometimes on horseback, but
more frequently on foot-on the banks
of the Arno. The only star that could
diffuse rays of happiness upon him now
shed lustre on the home Of another
obedient to the decree of an arbitrary
father, Julia Ferroni had become
the Countess of Ribiera. While Err
nesto - from whom her heart had
never once been alienated, in spite of
his vice and his absence-was tossing
on q bed of delirium, the hands Of
Julia and Ribiera were united in the
holy bonds of wedtock.
Some months passed away from the
date of Ernesto's change Of fortune,
and during that period he and Julia
had met-met frequently. We are
bound, as impartial historians, to state
that at first they met accidentally, then
purposely. Count Ribiera was neg
lectful husband. His time was passed
in places of public amusement or pri-
vate debauchery, and Julia's conduct
must certainly be extenuated, if not al
together excused, by this circumstance.
How often she aud Ernesto met we
know not nor will we record the dis
course which passed between them
when they did so meet. Our purpose
is to direct the readers attention to the
particular evening when Julia. in a
charming negligc, was reclining upon
her sofa in her boudoir. where over her
fondly leaned Ernesto Moralyi.
Suddenly the door of an ante-chamber
was opened, and the voice of the count,
issuing some orders to his valet, was
heard.
| my husband p cried the affrighted
woman. Conceal yourself. Erncsto-
for my sake -
She glanced wildly around her and
her eyes rested upon large, handsome,
and massively-carved mahogany chest
in the recess formed by one of the
windows. Rushing toward it, she
opened it; and, pressing secret
spring, a second lii, which devi.led the
chest horizontally into two colnpart-
ments. also flew open.
"There-there for my sake!' said
the countess. ''He never remains
long at this hour-he comes to fetch
money from Eyonder bureau, for his
night diversions.
| AS the door of tho room opened to
admit the count, the sound was echoed
by the falling of the second lid.
The countess was standing with APP
parent calmness by the chest. the top
lid of which was still open.
''What are you doing. Julia7' de-
1 Ia h
room.
Replacing these silver dishes and
vases which were used at yesterday
banquet" answered the countess, with
out the least apparent motion and she
proceeded in q 1eisurely manner to con-
vey several massive pieces of plate into
the chest.
'.You will be surprised. perhaps,
julia" continued the count, in a kinder
tone than usual, ''when tell you am
going to pass the evening with you
6ere.'
Eyes, my lord r. cried the countess.
Eyes, certainly !; and I have given
Antonio orders to tell you women to
serve up supper here"
The count threw himself upon the
sofa and Julia sat down upon chair;
her brain reeling. She felt as if her
senses were leaving her.
'.The truth is, said the count, with
. pause, II wish to consult you upon q
purchase that am anxious to make, of
beautiful seat in the vale of Arno F,
and as / am somewhat short of ready
money At this moment, thought that
II your father-but, holy, Virgin Julia,
are you ill?''
The countess gave no reply fell
senseless in her seat. The horrible
ideas which filled her mind had been
too much for her to support, and nature
Twas powerless beneath that load Of
! agonizing terror.
The count fastened to raise her. but
she was corpse.
Some years ago-twenty years after
the occurrence just mentioned the
Count Ribiera returned to the Ferroni
mansion, which had been uninhabited
since the death of the countess. save BY
faithful steward and his wife, who
had remained to take care of the house,
in which much valuable property had
been left.
The count returned from foreign
travel Win young VIE, whom lie,
though now. we'll advanced in years,
had espoused while in Paris.
A grand entertainment and ball were
given to celebrate the return of the lord
| Of the mansion, and to introduce the
youthful countess to the elite of Floren-
tine society. Ere the supper was served
up, the countess. accompanied by sew
eral ladies, repaired 70 the boudoir,
urged by curiosity. to examine certain
costly specimens of old-fashioned plate,
Of which the count had spoken. and
which had remained undisturbed for
= years In . chest In that room. The
count had moreover mentioned the ex.
istence Of . second lid. with secret
spring, the lower department Of the
box having been oontrfved for the bet.
|, ter security Of objects ofgreat value Of
. importance.
The countess raised the upper lid,