The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-27
THE PAINTER OF PARMA
OR,
The Magic Of a Masterpiece.
An italian Story Of Love, MyS-
terry and Adventure.
BY sYLvANUS COBB, JR
Copyright 1885 by Mary j. Co6b.l
CHAPTER VIII.

duanna She had been, previous to this
last visit at the painters studio, inclined to
feel hurt at the slight put upon her, as she
felt it to be; but change had been wrought.
She was now in sympathy with her dear
young mistress; and, moreover, her feelings
toward the painter himself had become
NTH him, and he had listened to her, not
only with respect, but gratefully. And
that. perhaps, might not be all. Never be-
fore rad she sat in Signor Zanoni's pres
orce. never before had she looked squarely
and searchingly into his eloquent magnetic
+ace She had found something in it that
hod attracted her-Something that had led
her TO trust and like him; and she felt in
Ser heart that she would be his champion.
With this feeling she earnestly desired to
keep herself out of the way of the Mar
ouis Steffauo She knew that he would
Gnestion her closely, and she knew, too-
tbough she did not to herself acknowledge
that she was not fitted to cope with him.
She was but an humble dependent, while
he was a noble of Parma and own brother
If the powerful Duke She was resolved
that on tie next morning she would take
shelter. at as early an hour as possible, in
the society CT the Princess, and not leave
her until Iney Hal Ahauo OhoAl NAolU w tAe
studio
That he would ask her before the NOR
row she did not even dream. She knew
his habits; and the spending of the evening
hours at home was not one of them. Had
sic called to mind the fact that the Duke
had planned to hold one of his light, friendly
receptions on that very evening she might
have been more on her guard
As it was, however, the Marquis found
A. h., xayba ba oil
began to think of her nights rest he sta
toned himself at point, in an upper cor
rdor, which she must pass, and there, upon
the stroke of the half-hour after nine, he
met her She saw him and sought to avoid
him: but he was too quick for her.
No. no. dear old friend You must not
think to give me the slip in that fashion, |
have taken too much trouble to find you to
suffer YOU to run away from me now. Ny
dear, good old Madelon, of what are you
afraidi If you will listen to me for Just
one little minute / will convince you that it
is for your own interest that l wish to speak,
Think you would wish to retain the good
opinion Of the Duke"
''You know 1 would"
"Then prove it by being frank and truth
full. Prove it by proving yourself true
friend to the Princess Isabel"
so! MarquiSl How can you say such a
thing? AS though / needed to prove my
friendship for that dear childI'
"Madelonl Answer me thisl" He spoke
in an ABRUPT, threatening tone, looking her
in the eye as though he would look into her
very soul. "Now, would you like to see
the Princess Isabel di Varona elope-run
away-with the low-born, poverty -stricken,
lazarone of a painterp
''Steffano FarneSe; he isn't a laZarone, and
you knowitW
Never mind that. Now would you like
to see itf
'You limited at such thing once before,
and answered you"
swell. You can answer me again And
] tell you, Madelon. am serious. Think
the matter over. Picture it to yourself.
Thus it would be: One day-and on day
not far distant, if you do not take care-the
Duke will ask you, Where is the Princessr
and you can only answer, She is gomez
aye-gone off with Signor Zaonnil Have
you thought Now does it appear to you?
Would you Like for such thing to come to
passr'
Il shall not answer you 1t is too ridic-
ulous. You are only trying to frighten'
me-
Then answer me this" This time the
Marquis spoke in a lower tone, but with a
deeper and more diabolical threat, with a
grip one her wrist, and that same searching
look into her shrinking, frightened eyes
w nat were the painter and the Princess
dong this afternoon? You know very well
he was not painting Don't stop to frame
hel l want the TRUTH l want you to
Tell me just what you know-no more, no
less
The poor old creature was beyond her
depth. She could tell falsehood on a small
scale, but she knew not how to carry Off a
cam, placid deception. Moreover. she was
tully persuaded that the Marquis knew
much more than he really did. She was in
an agony of terror and alarm, and the
longer she hesitated the more utterly de-
moralized she became.
are you going to answer met"
Marquis You have no right to ask me
dD0uC the private affairs of my mistress. l
Will tell the Duke how you treat me-"
10 So my dear old madam, and will
tsll nm that the painter was making love
your mistress under your very eyes"
Then you'd tell him an awful lie; for he
wasn't doing any such thing"
Il swear he was!"
And swear he wasn't; there now!"
=, how do you know thatl Rememberl
1ou say you can swear. How can you do
ingrf law ' -'
do know what they were doing, and
nUUoody could have been more innocent of
all harm"
Ohol Now l understand. The painter
was telling to the lady the truly touching
el .,p pathetic story OF his vagabond lifep
". there's where you are just wrong,
marquis Steffanol' retorted the duenna, tri-
uhphantly. 1T was the Princess herself
wa was telling the storyl Ho, hol You are
NV .t 50 wise as you thought you were"
mercy ON us Was the dear Princess SO
''Is IN telling the story of her own life"
No!' fairly shrieked the irritated old
b%oglual, feeling that her time of triumph
, rau come. 1T was your story, the story of
your lie, that she was tellingl Now what
W you think Anal You don't like it, eh r
NE Tue effect of these few simple words
uPon the Marquis mad been wonderful. He
S CIoueu TO collapse-to suddenly wilt, and
uLoop, and quake. His limbs shook his
t"nole frame shook, and the terror in his
i i;s.g was startling. But it was only for
nVtle Time. He soon became strong again,
S ,e the terrified expression'had left his dark
usage but in its place had come look of
bboddseeance-of dire and deadly hatred-that
''ued III to somebody.
NJ ~ nad been upon his tongue to howl back
~, npUn one woman in hot anger and gross
t,olahlty, but he had restrained himself,
t W. winch he was thankful He did more
s nan that Being determined if possible to
s Saii Inc whole truth, he held his peace un-
nla ao was able to speak calmly, and even
,;iiorglve me. Madelon," he said, with
, snIile, If l startled you. But when you
VIII me that tha Pripoacs bad baa,, taliipo,