The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-09-24
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Indeed. sirl Speak-do not keep
me in suspense p
The death of your uncle without a
will has left you heir to princely for
tune. I was his medical attendant ;
and I have written to Rome and Naples
= in word, to every city in Italy to
seek you''
Providence has not deserted me,
then!' calculated Ernesto 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 summed all pleasure and
the mere sight Of a card made him
shudder and he passed his time buried
in his library, or in long, solitary
ambies-son1etime 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 a bed of delirium, the hands of
Julia and Ribiera were united in the
holy bonds of wedlock.
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
Iectful husband. His time was passed
in places of public amusement or pri-
waite debauehery, and Julia's conduct
must certainly be extenuated, if not al
together 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 direct the readers attention to the
particular evening when Julia. in a
charming neglige, was reclining upon
her sofa in her boudoir, where over her
fondly leaned Ernesto Moralvi.
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-
for my sake y
~ 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 a secret
spring, second lid, which devided the
chest horizontally into two compart-
ments, also flew open.
''There-there for my sakef" said
the countess. He never remains
long at this hour-he comes to fetch
money from yonder bureau, for his
night diversions.
As the door of the 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. JuliaP" de-
manded the count as he entered the
room.
Replacing these silver dishes and
vases which were used at yesterday S
banquet" answered the countess, with
out the least apparent motion !; and she
proceeded in leisurely manner to con-
vey several massive pieces of plate into
the chest.
''You will be surprised, perhaps,
julia" continued the count, in kinder
tone than usual, ''when / tell you am
going to pass the evening with you
here''
Eyes, my lord i'' 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 a chair;
her brain reeling. She felt as if her
senses were leaving her.
1.-The truth is, said the count, with
pause, az wish to consult you upon a
purchase that l am anxious to make, of
beautiful seat in the vale of Arno /;
and as / am somewhat short of ready
money at this moment, l thought that
if your father-but, holy, Virgin! Julia,
are you illo''
The countess gave no reply-but fell
| senseless in her seat. The horrible
| ideas which filed her mind had been
too much for her to support, and nature
was powerless beneath that load OF
agonizing terror.
The count FASTENED to raise her, but
| she was corpse.
Some years ago-twenty years aftel
| the occurrence just lnentioned-th'
| Count Ribiera returned to the Ferron
| mansion, which had been uninhabitet
| since the death of the countess, save b,
faithful steward and his wife, wht
had remained to take care of the house
in which much valuable property hal
been left.
The count returned from foreign
travel with young wife, whom he
though now we'll advanced in years
had espoused while in Paris.
A grand entertainment and ball wer'
given to celebrate the return of the lort
OF the mansion, and to introduce tn
/ youthful countess to the elite of Floren
tine society. Ere the supper was serves
up, the countess, accompanied by sew
eral ladies, repaired TO the boudoir
urged by curiosity, to examine certain
costly specimens of old-fashioned plate
of which the count had spoken, ant
which had remained undisturbed TO
years in a chest in that room. Tn
4 count had moreover mentioned the ex
istence of second lid, with secre
spring, tine lower department of til
box having been contriyed for the bet
ter security of objects OF great value o
Importance.
The countess raised the upper lid
and the old plate, dark and dingy wit
rust, met the eyes of herself and com
panions. A female attendant took tn
articles from the chest, and placed then
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