Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-06-09

| L nave 10 ITleUuS. hy own cODuuCI
has alienated them all. l inherited
great fortune at my fathers death, eight
years ago-and ! was engaged to love-
ly girl. Bot in an evil moment be-
came gambler, and killed a man in
duel. fed, and in other Italian cities
dlssipated all my wealth. The recent
change in the concerning duelling in the
Tuscan State has induced me to retrace
my steps to Florence, where / have an
uncle who. perhaps, will not refuse me
a morsel of bread. But as for friends"
he added bitterly, "who would be the
friend of the gambler Ernesto Moralvi ?"
"Ernesto Moralvip ~ cried the surgeon.
THAT is my name" said the invalid.
"And you speak of wanting a crustf"
continued the surgeon. "Signor Moral
vi, it is my pleasant duty to inform you
that you are placed above want by
! circumstance"
Indeed. sir? Speak-dO not keep me
in suspensew
"The death of your uncle without
will has left you heir to his princely
fortune. l was his medical attendant;
and have writted to Rome and Naples
in word, to every city in Italy-to
seek for you."
"Providence has not deserted me,
Them calculated ,Ernesuo; and he faint
ed through excess of joy.
-
All Florence was excited by the news
| that the heir to the immense wealth of
the old banker, Sigpor Moralyi, who had
died about a year previously, had at
length been found. But Ernesto was an
altered man. He Stunned all pleasure
the mere sight of a card made him shud-
der; and he passed his time in his labra-
ry, or in long, solitary rambles some
| times on horseback. but more frequent
| ly on foot-On the banks Of the Arno.
The only star that c0nld diffuse rays of
happiness upon him now shed luster on
the dwelling of another-Ubedient to
the imperious decree of an arbitrary
father. Julia Ferroni had become the
Countess of. Ribiera. While Ernesto-
from whom her heart had never once
been alienated, in spite of his vice and
his ~absence-was tossing OH a bed of
delirium, the hands of Julia and Ribiera
were III Lited in the holy bands of we'd
lock.
Some months passed away from the
date of Ernesto's change of fortune, and
DCllOQ uC cluu ulldl lidO iiiCl
met frequently. We are bound, as
impartial historians, to state that at first
they met accidentally-then purpQsely. |
Count Ribiera was neglectful husband. |
His time was passed in places of public
amusement or private debauchery. and
Julia's conduct must certainly be exten-
uated, if not altogether excused by this |
circumstance.
How often she and 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 d.
rect the readers attention to one partic-
ular evening. when Julia, in a charming
aegti9e, was reclining upon the sofa in
her boudoir, where over her fondly
leant Ernest0 Loralvi.
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!" cried the affrighted
woman. Conceal yourself, Ernesto-foI
my sake"
She glanced wildly around her; aud
her eyes rested upon large, handsome
and massively-carved chest in the re-
cess formed by one of the windows.
Rushing toward it, she opened it; and
pressing a secret spring, second lid,
which divided the chest horizontally in
to two compartments, also few open.
"There-there for my sake!" said the
countess. HE never remains long at
this hour-he comes to fetch money
from yonder bureau; for his nights di-
versions"
As the door of the room opened to ad-
nit the count, the sound was echoed by
the falling of the second lid.
The countess was standing with appa-
rent calmness by the chest, the top lid
of-which was still open.
What are you doing, Julia ?" demand
ed the count, as he entered the room.
"Replacing these silver dishes and
vases, which were used at yesterdays
banquet" answered the countess, with
OIt the least apparent emotion; and she
proceeded in a leisurely manner to con-
yey several massive pieces. of plate into
the chest. -
"This is somewhat a mental employ
ment for you, J ulia," said her husband.
81 prefer counting the plate myself,
ere it be put away ;-"and she placed
the last article in the chest.
."You will be surprised, perhaps, Ju-
liza, continued the count, in a kinder
tone than usual, "when / tell you that
am going to pass the evening with you
here"
Yes, my lord" cried the countess.
"Yes. certainly; and have given An
tonic orders to tell your women to serve
up supper here" q.
The count threw himself upon the So
ia, and Julia sat down upon a chair, her
brain reeling.. She felt rs if her senses
were leaving her.
"The truth is" said the count, after
pause. 'I wish to consult you upon a
purchase that am anxious to make, of ,
a beautiful seat in the vale of Arno; and
as l am somewhat short of ready money
at this moment. L thought that if your
father-but holy 'Virginl Julia, are you
in2" -"
The countess gave no reply-but fell
back senseless in her seat. The horrible
ideas which filed her mind were too ]
much for her to support; and nature l
was powerless beneath that load of ago
niZing terror. /.
The count hastened' to raise her, but
she was a corpsel al >a
Some years ago-tWenCty years after
the occurrence just lmentioned-the
Count Ribiera returned to the Ferroni
which had been inhabited
since the death Of the countess, save by {
a faithful steward and his wife; who I
had remained to take care Of the house,
in which much valuable property had {
been left. rss.a 90 SvqH
The count returned from foreign trav-
el with a young wife, whom he, though =
now advanced in years, had espoused in !
Paris. - ~ D1 r II Il :
a grand entertainment and bail were
given to celebrate the return os the lord
Of the mansion, and to Introduce the q
youthful countess to the elite of Flpren- a
-iDa cooiatv Er. tI,a uunnar yp.,c ~ary.,i =