The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-17

Coilsluereu rev SECONDS, then stepped
down, and took his way toward
walks in that direction and the
path by the river, not so much freQuented
by pleasure-seekers as was the case gener-
ally, in the other direction. He walked
rapidly until he had gained the street by
which he had planned to reach the rivers
bank, and there his pace became more slow.
At the bridge he struck off upon the
wateTside path, well pleased to find it COM
paratively deserted A few pedestrians
were walking here and there, here a couple
in friendly confab, and there lonely man
given to contemplation. Also there were
few soldiers of the city guard, a portion
OF whom, by their sedate and methodical
walk, appeared to be on duty; while others,
more favored, were privileged to lounge
thelr moments away at their own will and
pleasure.
AT the distance of half mile from the
bridge, where he had turned upon the river
path, our painter came TO beautiful grove
or Wild orange trees. They were of the
native orange tribe, but on public land and
uncultivated. Yet they bore fruit, but the
predatory urchins that infested the locality
at night never suffered it to ripen.
Here he walked still more slowly, with
his arms folded on his breast aud his heal
bent in thought. He was thinking of
Steifano Farnese, and wishing he could see
through his plotting, for that he was plot
ting mischief, and mischief against the
peace of Isabel, he could not doubt. And
his thoughts of the Marquis had another di-
rectlon
II am not mistaken" he said, speaking
his thoughts audibly. II have seen that
face in Spain in the years agone. 1t is not
face one would be likely to forget. | know
1t! know It'll O!if could only surely locate
1t. 1t was in Madrid, and he was in COM
pany with an older mana man who, if |
do not mistake the whole affair, was ar
rested by the police, convicted of brigan-
dage and sentenced TO prison, and after
ward set at work on the public thorough
fares, with a ball and chain attached to his
ankle, and escaped.
What can it all meant Can he be bold
impoStor, imposing all these years ON the
too credulous Duke? Upon my soull it ap-
pears so to me-"
Anon, his thoughts turned upon the
Count, who, he verify believed, was con-
ceEned with the Marquis in much of the
underhand work that was going on. The
Princess had opened his eyes to Denaro's
true character, since which he had been
surprised that he had not discovered it for
himself.
He is not so lost to all sense of honor
and decency as is the other; but he is not a
gentleman. He is not a good-hearted man,
nor does he"
So far had our hero spoken his thoughts
of Count Denaro, when he was somewhat
startled by the sound of quick step behind
him, and, a second later, smart tap on his
shoulder. He turned, and stood face to
face with the Count himself, and at a short
distance was the Marquis Steffano! They
had certainly followed him. The meeting,
he knew, was not accidental.
Odd you wish to speak with me, Signor
CountW
Ordinarily the Count was not man adj
dicted to drink Occasionally, as we have
before remarked, he would take wine to ex-
cess, but the occasions were rare. On the
present. however, he had drank freely,
though Zanoni did not observe it. Remem-
Der, the man had been slave to his wrath
for long time. The man whom he had
stopped in a public place, and who now
stood before him, had as he fancied-as he
had brought himself to firmly believe
robbed him of the dearest treasure earth
held in store But for this man he might
have won the love and the hand of the beau
tiful Princess. She might have been all his
own-his wife.
Since his meeting that morning with lsa-
bel he had not only nursed his hot anger,
and breathed continuous imprecations upon
very demon and ghoul; but the plotting
Marquis had been constantly by his side,
whispering into his ear base and revengeful
thoughts.
So that now, with all tie influences that
had been urging him on from hour to hour
to madness and to vengeance, brought to
climax in this meeting, Zanoni found him
self confronted by very maniac, who had
resolved to slay or be slain. But the painter
At,s h IyVnrNw
nothing of the unfortunate workings of the
Counts mind. Had he known-had he
suspected even a moiety Of the truth-he
might have found means of avoiding the
catastrophe that was to come.
Ibid you wish to speak with me, Signor
Counts"
A few seconds elapsed before the Count
could gain his breath. The sight of the
painters lofty front; his statuesque form,
and his marble-like, handsome face, and the
sound of his voice, SO calm and so musical,
seemed to touch the match and the powder
in the magazine.
"Yesi" he shrieked. with lips as white as
death II wish to inform you that you
are base low-born, contemplate scoun-
drel as unfit to live as is the poisonous rep
tile, that turks by night in its noisome,
reeking place of hiding, dangerous alike to
man and beastW
Count DenarOW returned Une arJlSC IN
blank astonishment, and without the least
particle of anger will you tell me what is
the occasion of this strange and unwarrant-
ed accusationa What of harm have | done
to you or yoursW
"Villainl Tricksterl Demon incarnatel
You have utterly ruined the life of one OF
the fairest and noblest of women! and for
that intend to chastise you'll"
Hold Hold! Count, l understand
you now. But l do not recognize your
right to interfere. l shall not attempt to
excuse or exonerate myself to you"
"By the eternal heavensi but you will !"
the Count exclaimed, madly; and at the
same time he drew his rapier and made a
motion of attack. Indeei, he would have
attacked, and that, too, with deadly aim
and intent, had not the object of his blind
wrath stepped quickly out of his way, thus
giving him time to remember that he was
about to strike an unarmed man. He was
not quite ssnseless enough to commit down
right murder.
In that moment our hero made discov-
ery He had caught sight of the Counts
rapier, and had seen that it was weapon
belonging to the Marquis Spanish
blade, heavier and longer than his own. 1t
was a weapon well known to him; and he
know it to be Of perfect temper and keen.
And then he knew that the pair of viii
lains had sought him on purpose to kill
him.
"Wil you drawG" Denaro demanded,
moving again into a position Of attack.
ga ra Won n craven-a COWard-aS well as q