The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-02
SENA JULIA.

| d UTl&HJ COuOTdS6 10 buc SlOOu VI tuo sur
rounding stores, and when a little later tn
servant extinguished the other lamps, tn
lights in the smoking room still burned
with undimmed radiance.
A little circle of half dozen men wert
gathered around the great fireplace in pos
lures more comfortable than elegant, anC
were listening with breathless interest tC
a man who was leaning awkwardly agains
the side of the chimney.
His hands were thrust in the pockets o.
his ill fitting trousers, and his lank figure
was emphasized and thrown in relief by
the light tints of the wall behind him. He
certainly was not a handsome man, yet
there was an expression of manliness in
the strong face and suggestion of strength
in the broad shoulders and deep chest that
never failed to attract and charm one.
A silence now fell upon the little group
and for some moments nothing was heard
except the cracking of the pine logs upon
the hearth. Then out from the depths oil
an armchair in their midst came the re-
! mark:
81 say, Tom, that last story of yours was
awfully jolly, and that, but, crit had Nc
romance in it, you know"
Annerly looked up and smiled.
'My dear fellow" he languidly inter.
posed, "my own life has never contained
the slightest thread of romance"
"None of that," resounded from all Sides
'But if You really want love story FL
give you one secondhand" he finished, ap
parently unmindful of the interruption:
When 1 was in Geneva some weeks agu
met an old acquaintance and fellow tour
list. Graf Won Alburg. We took our supper
together and grew quite confidential over
our cigars and chianti afterward.
At first | was too much absorbed in the
food of recollections which our meeting
called up to notice his reserve, but l soon
saw that something was weighing upon
his mind. Curious to find out what it was,
and debating with myself as to whether
/ should speak to him about it or not,
the count suddenly looked up. He gazed
at me in some hesitation for little while,
and then said slowly:
"Annerly, / know well that can rely
upon your Judgment, and want your adj
vice. l am going to tell you my story, and
want you to weigh all the facts carefully,
and then tell me what you would do, if you
were In my place, will you?"
After few seconds thought, I an.
swered eyes" There was short pause,
during which the count pulled furiously
away at his cigar, and then he began:
''Not long ago l was tramping in the
Boehmerwald mountains, and toward
evening found myself at Erlachan, which
nestles against the precipitous side of the
tall Schneeberg. The approach to 1t is
long and steep, and l was we'll nigh ex-
hausted with my climbing, for had made
all haste to reach the village before dark
ness set in.
1T was, therefore, with a grateful sense
of relief that l entered the warm inn, and,
throwing aside my knapSeck and belt, sat
down to the supper which was soon ready |
for me.
"My pleasure, however, was of short |
durationf for hardly had 1 gotten warm |
and begun to appease my hunger, when |
peasant entered the room and asked hur-
riedly for the Herr Doctor
He left for AuYergne this very after.
noon,' said the innkeeper, but, dear heav-
emf he exclaimed in surprise, as he saw
the man totter and almost fall, what is
the matteri'
The people at Sena Julia have fallen
sick with the plague but nature, so long
depressed by the mans force of will, here
asserted itself, and he sank heavily into a
chair.
"'Gott, he is dead; yes, deadP ejacu-
lated the terrified landlord
"'Dead! Nonsensel He has tainted.
for saw that it was merely swoon But
where is this Sena Julia?'
"'Sena Julia? Why. it is some six
miles from here, over the mountain, and
might as well be thousand such a night
as this
Nevertheless. there is but one thing
to do, and that immediately
land that tsp
ITO go at once l replied decisively,
casting look Of deep regret at the interior
Of the bright little inn, and signing as
saw the pipes and ale which the landlord
had set out on the table. But you know,
my dear Annerly. that like to do what |
have to without any delay, and so, without ,
more ado. began to don my jacket and ,
IeggingS the landlord meanwhile putting !
some food and other necessaries in my
Anapsack, with many a mournful shake Of :
The head as he pictured my dangerous jour. ,
ney over the top of the Schneeberg.
1 stepped to the door and opened It. 1t Z
was torn from my grasp and slammed :
against the wall. /;
You see it will be useless shouted :
ny terrified companion You will never :
reach that cursed hamlet alive
Picking mp my little pocket lantern, \
he light of which was burning steadily be- :
heath its powerful reflector, stepped oct ;,
nto the darkness. 'Diab.e,' mutteced the {
worthy landlord"
Il shall never forget that awful night" i,
aid Graf, fitting back in his oh air with a >
cry moUrnful look, whether the result Of a
be miserable chia3ti or of so-Cowful reco.-
it was haul to l4c:5e "Brioy Us 4
ONE cog0ac waiter"
You see, be sail 10 ne half apo,ogeti
ally, 1t always has bad effect au me %
peak OF that-that-yee, tina. damlao.e h
light" Il
lie waited moment. and then, as ! d
sld nothing, he resumed his tale:
10 describe ms journey Is easy; to de- q
crl5e ny suffering is impossible. But
here Is an end 10 all things. good or bad. n
runs the Old proverb; an so it proved b
my case, though il was more uaax.
ected than pleasant. For OF sudden I Il
ad n seas srioa OF dizziness and feeling as A
were walking in midair, aud so | was II
Looking quickly X the ground / saw \
Re earth giving away beneath mv fee. | nj
nd realized in fash how desperate was 8,
" situa;l5a. 1 wss in landslide" In
CoSn4c. shouted the coUC. eNc.te5,v
ringing his u doxn upon the ta5Is 3,
tth a force which made the glasses rattle n
al the people AZ the Ee:gS5oc.3. tables
are at hin cuvjoEslg n
The waiter haz-eaad TO fill his order
Il the anDss rance Of TIE av~--as .,,-.