The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-20

utterable amazement.
Holy mother of heaven! How did he
known
''How did he know WHAT" demanded the
Princess, sharply.
That there hadn't been any painting. OF
course, wouldn't have told him-rd have
seen him dead first; but he must have known
all the same"
"Madelon, what are you talking abouts
Had you asked me at the studio how much
Signor Zanoni had painted this afternoon l
should have told you-not bit He could
not paint. At least he would not go at the
work until he had told me about the gross
and heartless insult the Marquis Stetfano
offered him yesterday after we left him."
And thereupon the girl related to her
companion the story as Zanoni had told it
to her. When she had fnished-had told
how the artist had disarmed the Marquis,
and how Count Denaro and two others had
got him away-she went on:
This led Signor Zanoni to remark upon
the lack of personal resemblance between
the two brothers. They were as unlike in
form and feature as they were in character,
he sad; and thereupon l asked him if he
had ever heard the story of those two
brothers, He said he never had. and he
asked me if l would kindly tell it. did
not wish to refuse; in fact, felt that he
ought to know it,
And thus it happened. dear mamma,
that when you came in the painting had
not been touched; and of course you know
It was not touched after you joined us.
Now tell me, Madelon, frankly, can you
see anything in the event at all out of the
wayp
'Only, dear girl, in the construction
Others might put upon it il they knew"
Aye, dear Madelod, there it is! Why
should others know it9 They cannot, if you
hold your peace"
''Ahi but does not Steffano know it al
readyW
NO" replied the Princess, emphatically
HE knows nothing at all about it. Hisre
mark to you was but bold, reckless fling
an lnsinuation that we were abusing the
confidence of the Duke. He would have
spoken to me if he had known anything.
No, no, Madelon. Be sure no living person,
saving the painter himself and you and |,
know the truth. Now answer me-and an
swer me honestly and sincerely-will you
be my friend, and speak not word of this
matter to anybody"
The duenna promised; and before oppor-
tunity was offered for further remark they
had arrived at the palace, and while they
enter and remove their out door garb let
us take look after the Marquis.
There was a social organization in Parma
called the Correggio club. 1t was the most
exclusive and most popular club in the
city; and the man who gained membership
there considered himself extremely fortu-
nate. Originally its membership had been
confined to the nobility and men of high
military renOwn; but after time men
celebrated in art and in civil affairs of gov
eminent had been admitted. The Duke
himself had proposed the name of Juan
Zanoni, and he had been elected without
opposition.
To this club belonged the Marquis Stef-
fano. He had been elected before his char
acter had become generally known. The
Duke had told him more than once in these
later days that were he not already MEM
Der, he the Duke would on no considera-
ton propose him And it is doubtful if he
could have found many among the good
and true who would have ventured the
presentation of his name to the Board of
Censors. Nevertheless, no one had as yet
cared to move for his expulsion.
The quarters of the Correggio club were
in a large and imposing marble structure
ON the Grand Plaza, and thither, after he
had left the Princess and her duenna he
bent his steps, proceeding directly TO the
principal reception room on entering. Here
ne remained for a little time chatting with
a few individuals of his acquaintance who
CHANGED to be there, but without taking a
seat He had inquired in the outset if
Count Denaro had arrived, and had been
answered in the negative. BY and by he
went to glazed door in a far corner of the
room and raped gently on one of the pan
els, and in response voice from within
bade him to enter.
1t was the office of the superintendent of
the rooms of the club, and the man himself
was there, busy, as usual.
'Signor Guilette, l have come to ask
favor"
BE seated, MARQUIS What can do for
your
II wish to look at the record of member
ship Of the club"
''Have you the permission of the Board
of Censors to do soT
81 hardly thought it necessary to go to
that trouble, Signor, since l am performing
the mission at the request Of the Duke-my
brother"
The intendant reflected for little time,
and finally arose, and took the volume-a
large folio, heavily bound in boar's hide
from its place of safe-keeping, saying as he
did so:
"You are aware, Marquis, that our rec
ord of members is very full and explicit,
and there are cases in which matters are
set down that are not for the public eye
items of biography that may possibly be of
value in after years, but which the subject
would net wish should be discussed in open
club. You assure me that the Duke has
authorized you to ask for the bookP
The calm, deliberate lie cost Stetfano not
an effort. 1t came as natural to him and
passed his lips as easily as the breath of life.
This answer in the affirmative was prompt
and assuring And the book was placed be-
fore him.
The Marquis, when he had so disposed of
the ponderOus volume that he could handle
it easily, turned to the page on which APP
peared his own name That was eight
years back. He had been admitted shortly
after arriving at the age Of one-and-
twenty. There he glanced over the closely
written lines, but without recognizing even
a letter, until the intendant had turned to
his work. Then, without the slightest rus
tie, he turned over the leaves until he had
come to the entries of one and two years
agone, and finally his eyes rested upon the
name or Juan Zanoni.
He glanced at the intendant, and found
him absorbed in his work. Then he re-
ferred again to the entry in the book before
him, and the following were Of the items
he found there set down:
Gage, 81 Place of birth-not sure, but
thinks Carthagena, Spalu."
The next item was with regard to his par
entage His father, he believed, had been
an officer of high rank in the Spanish
army, and had been killed in battle some
where in the East. His mother had been
of Italian birth. and had taught him her
language.
Next---the years Of his life, till the age of
Is..,,