The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-27

done. In fact, they pictured him not only as
a.moral hero, brave and generous but as
very paladdin, whose arm was invincible
IF he were of the patrician class" said
Henri, with kindling eye, ''he would take
rank at the very head of our aristocracv.
He is one of the noblest men ever metz
The Princess thanked him with look-a
look which, though he could not know its
full significance, yet gave him Joy unutter-
able. she had just promised them that
they shoul visit the artists studio, at some
future time when she was to be present, and
she would introduce them, when the Duke
was announced.
Antonio came in alone, with the shadow
of deep care ON his expressive face, and
even when his fair ward had arisen and
greeted him with her fondest smile, something
OF the cloud remained. He had exchanged
friendly situations with Henri and Paulo,
and was about to turn to another part of
the room when Isabel spoke.
Dear Guardian Something is giving
you trouble Snail l take my Lutte and sing
to youp
mo, no, my blessed child. 1t is nothing.
| have been thinking. Let us hope | may
think more brightly by-and-by. Don't let
me interrupt your conversation"
And with this he turned and went over to
where Count Denaro sat alone in the recess
Of one of the great windows.
The Princess watched him closely and
thoughtfully, wondering what could have
occurred to make him 50 sad and gloom
some-watched him until she had seen him
speak with the Count and then she resumed
her seat.
'What can have happenedr said Henri,
feelingly. 81 never saw him look quite so
upset"
HE has evidently heard something I'M
pleasant" suggested Paulo. "At all events,
| judged SO, not only from his looks, but
from the manner in which he spoke. You
know how quick and deep are his Sympa-
thies"
terder as a woman's; and if he had heard
of the death or great misfortune of dear
friend, he would suffer as for his own sell"
The words had scarcely fallen from tine
nounced: "The Marquis of Steffanon
The name fell upon lSabel's ears with a
shock. Why it should be so she could not
tell; but SO it was. 1t sent a shudder
through her frame and pain to her heart
Was it something he had done that had
caused the gloom of the DukeY AS the
thought occurred to her she turned her eyes
in his direction, and found his gaze fixed
upon herself with an intentneSs that startled
her.
"Ah, DukeV exclaimed Steffano APP
preaching his brother. at appears our in
formant was right-he is beyond recovery"
"What is thatp' asked Count Denaro,
eagerly.
"An accident to a friend of our good
Duke. We do not know yet how it hap
pened. We are only informed that he can
not recover
For mercy's sake, who is itp' cried
young lady who sat near to where they
were standing.
She spoke eagerly, but with more of curl
osity than sympathy.
probably a stranger to you, dear lady"
answered Steffano, with curious smile on
his swart visage. at was painter, called
Zanoni.n
Isabel's heart had almost ceased Its throb-
bling at the first word of an accident, and
now as that name fell upon her ear, the
truth of it all appearing to have the Dukes
avouchment, things swan before her, the
light faded away, and with deep soul
sent groan of bitterest agony she sank back
and would have fallen to the floor had not
Henri and Paulo caught her and upheld
her.
my Lord Dukel Countess Rizzil Help!
help! The Princess has fainted"
The Duke himself was the first to reach
her. He took her in his strong arms as he
would have taken an infant, and started
to bear her from the room, but two of the
elder Sadies interferred, and begged that
she might be given up TO them. 1t was
only swoon, and they knew just what to
do.
After a moments hesitation Antonio gave
her up, but said he should quickly follow.
Obi he groaned, turning to his brother
who at that moment came up, lit was cruel,
cruell Only her great sympathy made her
faint"
'FWait, wait" returned Steffano. with a
look of malignant triumph. "As soon as
her senses return you shall ask her Don't
wait for her to reflect and reason on it, but
strike while the truth is on the surface.
Will you do thatp
"Yesl And you shall find how deeply you
have wronged her"
''If do find that. all have to say ia, no
one living will be more thankful than shall
l..
Immediately afterward the Duke fol-
lowed the woman who had borne his ward
away.
"Well, young gentlemen" said the Mar
quis, meeting the gaze of Henri Vavallia
and Paulo Alavado fixed upon him with an
ex preston of unmistakable horror. "What
have you to say about it! You appear to
be deeply interested"
They had stood close by, and had over
heard every word which had been spoken
by the Duke and his brother and they had
caught the tones, also. They had marked
the deep pain and regret of Antonio, and
the malcvolence and triumph of Steffano
and it had struck them both at the same in
slant that the whole thing had been cruel
trick put upon the Princess to expose her
affection for Zanoni. They remembered
the scene on the rivers bank, and that
helped them to an understanding of the
present business.
perhaps you were admirers of the
painterp' added the Marquis, contemptu-
ously, when he found that they did not an
swer him.
81, for one, admired him very much,''
said Henri, with stern, proud look into the
eye of the man he addressed.
$50 did l." added Paulo. "And deem
him worthy OF the admiration and respect
of all true men,"
do you mean to insinuate that am not
a true nIanF' demanded the Marquis, an
grily.
Marquis, replied the youth, with calm,
manly look on his handsome face, "remem-
Der that we are beneath your brothers roof
his guests. You cannot pick q quarrel
with u.s."
And with this the pair of them turned
away, and shortly afterward left the pal
ace Steffano glared after them, really too
mad-too full of wrath--to speak. Some
thing told him that they saw through the
deception that had been practiced and he
only wondered IL they suspected more
Meantime the Princess had b en- con
veyed to another apartment, and laid upon
a large sofa, where proper restorative treat
u1ant SOON brought her hack IN conacioue