The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-24
THE MYSTERIOUS CHEST.

Lovely and serene was the summer
evening, in the year 1917, when a man
of apparently thirty years of age, and
whose naturally handsome countenance
was marked with the traces of care and
dissipation, entered the city of Florence.
His garments were made in the most
fashionable style, but they were old
and threadbare and his dusty boots,
soiled condition, and lanquid walk,
bore testimony to the length and fati-
que of his Journey. Nevertheless, there
was an air of aristocracy about him
which neither rags nor suffering could
efface and his large black eyes were
lighted with the fire of proud soul
and fine intellect.
He entered the beautiful Tuscan city
between nine and ten o. clock at night,
and presently stopped at fountain to
Stake his burning thirst. That act on
his part argued but indifferently for the
state of his finances, as a brilliantly
lighted cafe, where more comfortable
refreshment might have been obtained,
was close at hand. The traveller be-
held it; and as he dropped the iron
ladle, or spoon, which benevolence had
caused to be fixed to the edge of the
fountain for the use of wayfares as mis-
cradle as himself, he sighed and muir
INJURED, 'There-there was it that l
first learnt the fatal habit which has
made me what am Then, as if inn
PEELED by an attachment to the very
habit which he execrated in bis soul,
he approached the windows of the cafe,
and watched the game of cards at
which the inmates were engaged.
Presently the door of the cafe was
flung open and two elegantly-dressed
gentlemen came out.
s'You have been quite fortunate to-
night, Ribiera," said one-a young
man of about two-and-twenty. as he
took his companions arm.
''Pretty well, Vasori,' replied the
other, who was at least ten years older,
but who possessed handsome counte-
nance, and tail, well-knit figure.
'You know that with my princely for
tune the gain or the loss of few hum
bred pieces is as nothing. But now let
us repair to the Ferroni palace"
1.-The Ferroni palacen' CALCULATED
the wretched traveller, who had over
heard this discourse.
''For tonight" continued Ribiera,
''the beautiful Julia is to give me de-
cisive answer whether she will receive
my suit or not.
Tonight % repeated the traveller /;
and he mechanically followed the two
| individuals whose discourse had APP
parentIy interested him so profoundly.
The Count de Ribiera-for such was
| that persons rank-and Signor VasOri
| pursued their way, without perceiving
that they were followed. through sever
/ al of the principal streets, until they
| reached a magnificent house, brilliant
with light streaming from every wind
ow. The sound of music echoed from
within and the air around was per-
/ fumed with the odors CT the sweet
| flowers which festooned the open case
ments.
The traveller watched the two gentle
men until they entered the mansion.
He then walked slowly to the opposite
| side of the street, from which point he
Attentively watched the windows of the
mansion of the Marquis of Ferroni.
Presently 8 group of ladies approached
an open easement, and his eyes fell up
| on one older but more beautiful than
| the rest, but whose cheeks were very
pale, and whose air seemed to denote
| feelings by no means congenial with
| the gayety of the scene at which she
was present. She was about twenty
five years of age; her blue eyes were
expressive of mildness, and her counte-
nance wore a shade of melancholy.
'''Tis she p murmured the traveller;
and he darted away precipitately from
the spot, saying to himself, sat all
| events, / have seen her once more
/ And she is pale-and melancholv-and
pensive! Can it be that she designs to
bestow thought on meP'
The unhappy man wept as he asked
| II. III IN1a-
cause he knew how unworthy he was
of any interest on that part of that
beautiful being. He was hungry-but
he forgot the cravings of want as he re.
f1ected upon what he had seen and
heard that evening-for he had heard
that she-the daughter of the Marquis
of Ferroni-was to give decided an
swer to the Count Ribiera that evening
And what would that reply be?
The miserable wretch FASTENED away
from the vicinity Of the Ferronl man
sion, and at length sank exhausted up
on the step of a door.
When he awoke again he was In &
strange placc-a cell, with white walls
and arched ceiling and barred windows
met his eyes. Scarcely had he time tC
collect his scattered ideas, when {
; gentleman in black entered the room
anu appeared glad to ind him IN al
improved condition of health.
In answer to the question pat to hin
by the invalid, this gentleman said
ssYou were brought hitler four month
ago from the hospital, to which plac
you had been conveyed in a state of in
sensibility, having been picked up il
the street at late hour. The condi
ton into which illness and other cause
known only to yourself plunged you q
the hospital led toyour removal hither.
s.And where am /. theng' demande'
the invalid, casting terrified glanc
around him.
s.In lunatic asylum was the rd
ply. at is better that you should knoN
the truth than perplex your mind wit
the vain conjectures of ignorance an
uncertainty. Compose yourself, and
few days you will be quite restore
to health, both mentally and physically
You can then leave the establishment
"a lunatic asylum Y exclaimed tn
invalid, with a shudder s'and fou
months have passed away.
ssFour months,' repeated the SUI
geon s.but have you no friends whor
YOU would wish to be informed of you
present situationp''
Il have no friends. My own conduc
has alienated them all. / inherited
| great fortune at my father death eigh
years ago-and l was engaged to
lovely girl. But in an evil moment
/ j ~