Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-04-11

| ing NJ MS case. lpuUlnS COWIOIlNoi.
back I'm one chair, his feet putup or an
other. lie was smoking, and glanclni
now and then through the columns o
the Paris Figaro. lie was dressed en-
tircly in black. hvpocritical livery, tho
sombrc hue Of which suited his fine com
plcxon and pcrfcctlyhandsomc features
to admiration. On the little linger OF
the shapcly hand that every now and
then was raised to adjust his cigar,
sparklcd diamond that gave ont a myr
lad scintillations us II flashed In the
evening light-it was of exceptional size
and brilliancy, and even Mt distance |
recognized 1t as my own property.
So.-a love gift, Signor, or an In
memoram OF the dear and valued friend
you have lost? l wondered, watching
him IN dark scron the while, then reco-
lecting myself / sauntered slowly to
wards him, and perceiving disengag-
ed table next to his, drew chair TO
1t and sat down. He looked at me In
differently over the top Of his newspaper,
but there was nothing specially attrac-
tive In the sight Of q white-haired man
wearing smoke-colored spectacles, and
he resumed his perusal of the Figaro
Immediately. raped the end OF my
walking-cano on the table and summon
ed waiter from whom ordered coffee.
/ then lit cigar and Initiating
Ferraris easy posture, smoked also.
Something IN my attitude then appeared
TO strike him, for he laid down his paper
and again looked at me, this time with
i,.Na iurr IF
ness. Ca commence, mon ami" /
thought, but turned my head slightly
aside and feigned to be absorbed in the
view. My coffee was brought,-I paid
for it and tossed the waiter an unusually
large gratuity,-he naturally found 1t
incumbent upon him to polish my table
with extra zeal, and TO secure all the
newspapers, pictorial or otherwise, that
were lying about, for the purpose
OF obsequlously depositing them In
heap at my right hand. l
addressed this amiable garcon
in the harsh and deliberate accents OF my
carefully disguised voice.
''By the way, suppose you know
Naples well?"
"Oh, 81, Signor!"
"Ebbene, can you tell me the way to
the house OF ono Count Fabio Romani, a
wealthy nobleman Of this city?"
.'Ha! good hit this time! Though
apparently not looking at him saw Fer
rari start. as though he had been stung,
and then compose himself in his seat
with an air Of attention. The waiter
meanwhile, in answer to my question,
raised his hands, eyes, and shoulders all
together with shrug expressive Of re-
signed melancholy.
"Ah gran, Dio! e. mortO!'
''Dead?" exclaimed with pretended
start Of shocked surprise. 80 young?
Impossible?"
''Eh! what will you, Signor? 1t was
Ia pesta; there was no remedy. La
pesta cares nothing for youth or age,
and spares neither rich nor poor.
For momeut l leaned my head on my
hand, affecting to be overcome by the
suddenness Of the news. Then looking
up, said regretfully:
'Alas! am too late! ! was friend
OF his fathers. have been away for
many years, and 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 &C
cordance with what he imagined were
my feelings, frightened up Immediately
as he replied eagerly;
''Oh, 81. Signor! The C0untessa Ro-
mania lives up at the Villa. though i
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 l knew so
well, said politely:
"Pardon me, Signor, for my interrupt
ing you! knew the late young Count
well-perhaps better than my
man In Naples. l shall be delighted TO
afford you any information you may seek
him."
Oh, the old mellow music Of his voice.
how 1t struck on my heart and pierced
II like the refrain Of q familiar song
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 10 his
and answered stiffiy.
81 am your servant, Signor You will
oblIge me indeed II you can place me
in communication with the relatives
Of this unfortunate young nobleman.
The elder Count ROmani was dearer TO
me than q 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 1t bore, he gave me a
quick glance OF respect mingled with
pleased surprise.
''The Conte Cesare olival" he ex-
claimed. ~ esteem myself most fortu-
nate to have met you'll Your arrival has
already notified TO us by the avant-cou-
-ier Of tho fashionable intelligence, so
that we are we'll aware" here laughing