The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-29
TIE PAINTER OF PARMA
OR,
The Magic Of a Masterpiece.
Ar italian Story OF Love, Mys-
terry and Adventure.
BY sYLvANUs COBB. JR-
BY sYLvANUS COBB. JR-
ICopwight 1888 by MaryJ Cobb.l
CHAPTER II.-CONTINuEp.

i
The MARQUIS StefTeno Farnese was man
&c q different stamp. He was 80 years of
ooo or tbereabouts-he looked older, taller
80, was the Count, and though not so
bsavy of body, he was evidently more
,,,rseular and much stronger of limb. He
,yasdarker than the other, his hair and
<,,ss black as black could be, his forehead
low and receding, ears small and set closely
hack against the spot where phrenOlogists
,ocate the bumps of destructiveness and
,onbativeness. This face was not pleas
ont one. at least not pleasant to him who
was used to reading character there. Yet
he could laugh and be gay, and be had his
,ood looks, as he may have had his good
Qualities. He was eight or nine years
younger than his brother, the Duke, and he
had nothing of his brothers looks, either in
form or feature; nor was he like his brother
mentally or morally The two must have
been born under entirely different circum-
stances, and such, in fact, had been the case.
His garb was rich and gaudy, and he
seemed proud of the appearance he made
He fancied the women admired him, and
even the plaudits of the children, who
were dazzled by his gilt and glitter, pleased
him.
The other two of the party were younger
men and sons of wealthy MOBILES
Our hero's first impulse upon recognizing
the approaching party was to turn aside
and avoid them, but they had seen him, and
he knew his name had been spoken;
hence, a turning aside might imply either
fear or conscious cause of distrust. He re-
solved to keep on, quietly and silently, if
possible; but, at all events, to keep boldly
on.
As he came nearer, however, he heard
that which destroyed all hope of silence.
He heard Steffano Farnese say i'll a loud,
bantering tone with the Count:
Put the question to him. Ho! l trust
YOU do not fear"
The Counts response Zanoni could not
hear; but a little later the Marquis again
~ faith, if you will not will Let us
know what it means. Remember, the lad V
is my cousin. or something like it. Bless
me, if know exactly how the blood rams. ="
The artist, by powerful effort succeed
ed III putting out of sight ali signs of his
lust Indignation, and moved on as though
he had heard nothing As he came still
nearer he was further perplexed by the dis
covery that Steffano had been drinking.
He was not intoxicated-far from it-but
much wine made him quarTelsome and
british, and he had drank that As they
were upon the point of meetings Zanoni
gave the party as wide a berth as possible /;
hut he was not to pass quietly Steffano
put himself in his way, at the same time
exclaiming, III coarse, authoritative tone:
"Hallol Signor Painter! a word with
you'll"
Our hero stopped and bowed respect
fully He was determined not to lose his
temper.
What is your pleasure, Marquis?" he re-
turned, mildly.
I'm tell you," the Marquis said, as con-
temptuouSly as possible. by some hocus-
pocus, which nobody can understand, and
In fit of idiotic stupidity, my brother, the
Duke, hired you to attempt portrait of the
Princess di Varona. What we wish TO know
is, how much longer you plan to keep her
dancing attendance upon you. Will you
inform us:'
marquis" answered the artist, calmly,
and still respectfully, 1--WE will not, if you
please, discuss the affairs of the Princess in
this public place.
AS Steffano started to speak again the
Count caught him by the sleeve and sought
to draw him back, but he was roughly
shaken off.
''Oho My gay and gallant painter-man!
You think to hide yourself behind the
lady's honor. Leave that to your betters,
If you please, and answer me- The lady's
name need not be mentioned. You know
how much longer you intend to keep the
farce up; and 1T is our wish to share the
knowledge with you. Tell u.s."
Marquis, will you allow me to pass? If
you would know anything of the subject
you have preached, ask the Duke. have no
information to give you"
Won't you answer mef'
Il have answered.
will you answer the question 1 put to
youg"
Il will answer you no further than have
already donen
"You are sneak and cowardly villainl
Let me alonel BY heaven! if you NEEDLE
III turn my point upon yourself'
This last was spoken in hot anger to the
Count, who had again sought, and this time
with energy, to draw his companion away
from the trouble he was making. Denaro
knew the Marquis well enough to know
that further endeavor would be worse than
useless, so he could only leave the quarrel
some, wine-heated man to his own will and
pleasure
did you hearg" Steffano shouted, turn
ing to the painter when he had put his
would-be mentor away II say it again
you are a sneak and cowardly villain and
intend to take itupon myself to put a stop
TO your impudence."
MAJ us -LdHOill SJlu Ielu Ills temper,
though it tried him sore-"when you are
willing to give me way | will pass ON. l
Should prefer to hear no more.n
POUNDS! Haven't you got a spark of
manhood inside that lady-lille skin Of yours.
II you will have no more words, will you
take thatg"
And with a quick movement the Marquis
whipped out his rapier and aimed blow at
the others cheek, and he would have sue
ceeded had not Zanoni put up his arm in
season to ward it of.
l.. In another moment the artist, seeing that
Steffano meant mischief, drew his own
weapon and put himself on guard.
"Gentlemen," he said to the Others, who
stood near, but dared not interfere, II call
you to witness that / have been literally
forced to this" Then to his opponent, who
stood glaring at him as though watching for
an opening for favorable attack: Mar
quis, you call me coward. What shall
men say of you who draw your sword upon
one who, were he TO kill you, even in self
defense, must suffer the penalty of death at
the hands of the public executioner: for
you know that such is the law in Parmal
What shall men say of your
Per Baccol II Ileave thee to the public
executioner make of my head foot ball.
Aha! let us see if thou canst WELD a sword
as nimbly as thou dost maui stickl There's
at theel Take thatl''
We have said that our painters thews and
slnews had been toned and strengthened and
his muscles tempered by long ami continu-