The Iola register., 1891-05-01
haan :. =, rygbF nsnd.

care1uliy disguised VOICE.
/ "By the way, l suppose You kno,
, Naples well?"
I ''0h, 81, Signorl'
, "Ebbene, can you tell me the way +
the house OF one Count Fabio Romani,
wealthy nobleman Of this city2''
''Hal good hit this timei Thougl
apparently not looking at him saw Fer
rari start, as though he had been stung
and then compose himself in his sea
with an air of attention. The waite
meanwhile, in answer to my question
raised his hands, eyes, and shoulders al
together with shrug expressive of re
signed melancholy.
"Ah gran, Dio! O. mortor'
"Dead2' exclaimed with a pretended
start of shocked surprise. $50 youngi
Impossible?''
"Eh! what will you, Signor? 1t was
la pesta; there was no remedy. La
pesta cares nothing for youth or age,
and spares neither rich nor poor.'i
For momeut leaned my head on my
hand, affecting to be overcome by the
suddenness of the news. Then looking
up, said regretfully:
"Alas! 1 am too latel I was a friend
of his fathers. / have been away for
many years, and l had great wish to
meet the young Romani whom | last saw
as a child. Are there any relations Of
his living? was he married?"
The waiter, whose countenance had
assumed fitting righteousness in ac-
cordance with what he imagined were
my feelings, frightened up Immediately
as he replied eagerly;
''Oh, 81, Signor! The Countessa Ro-
mania lives up at the Villa. though
believe she receives no more since her
husbands death. She is young and
beautiful as an angel. There is a
little child, too"
a hasty movement on the part of
Ferrari caused me TO turn my eyes, or
rather my spectacles in his direction. He
leaned forward, and raising his hat
with the old courteous grace | knew so
well, said politely:
Pardon me, Signor, for my interrupt
ing you! knew the late young Count
Romani well-perhaps better than my
man in Naples. | shall be delighted to
afford you any information you may seek
concerning him."
Oh, the old mellow music of his yoicel
how it struck on my heart and pierced
loved in the days of our youth For an
instant could not speak,-wrath and
sorrow choked my utterance. Forum
ately this feeling was but momentary-
slowly raised my hat in response to his
salution, and answered stiffly.
81 am your servant, Signor. You will
oblige me indeed if you can place me
in communication with the relatives
of this unfortunate young nobleman.
The elder Count ROmani was dearer to
me than a brother men have
such attachments occasionally. Permit
me TO introduce myself" and l handed
him my visiting card with slight and
formal bow. He accepted it, and as he
read the name It bore, he gave me a
quick glance of RESPECT mingled with
pleased surprise.
'The Conte Cesare Olival" he ex-
claimed. 81 esteem myself most fortu-
nate to have met you! Your arrival has
already notified to us by the avant-cou-
rler of tho fashionable intelligence, so
that we are well aware" here laughing
lightly, ''Of the distinctive right you
have to hearty welcome in Naples |
am only sorry that any distressing news
your return here after so long an alb
sence. Permit me to express the hope
that IL may at least be the only cloud for
you on our southern sunJhine!'
And he extended his hand with that
ready frankness and bonhomie which
are always part of the Italian temper
ament, and were especially so of his. A
cold shudder ran through my veins. |
God! could take his hand in mine? I
must-if l would act !ny part thor
oughly-for should refuse he would |
think it strange-even rude-l should |
lose the game by ono false move. With |
a forced smile hesitatingly held out my |
hand also; it was gloyed, yet as he
clasped it heartily in his own the warm |
pressure burnt through the glove like |
fire. l could have cried out in agony, |
so eXcruciating was the mental torture |
which | endured at that moment. But |
it passed, the ordeal was over, and / |
knew that from henceforth should be |
able to shoke hands with him as often |
and as indefferently as with any other |
man. II was only this first time that it
CALLED me to tho quick. Ferrari |
noticed nothing of my emotion-he |
was in excellent spirits, and, turning to |
the waiter who had fingered to watch US
make each others acquaintance, he cx-
claimed:
''More coffee, garcon, and couple Of
gloriaS." Then looking towards me,
You do not object to gloria, Conte?
No! That is well. And here is my
card" taking one from his pocket and
laying it on the table. ''Guido Ferrari,
at your service, an artist and a very poor
one. We shall celebrate our meeting by |
drinking each others health"
Il bowed. The waiter vanished to
execute his orders, and Ferrari drew
his chair closer to mine.
To BE CONTINUED.