San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-05-28

resolved on duOpJlllR GudJ VI sCuooi
friend, boy to whom l had been pro-
foundly attached in my earliest youth,
and who had been drowned before my
eyes while bathing in the Venitian Lido.
So answered Andrea'S question at once
and without effort.
ASK for the Count CeSare Olivia" |
said. 81 shall return to Naples shortly,
and should you seek me, you will find
| me there"
The Siclian DOTTED his cap and saluted
me profoundly.
II guessed WE'LL" he remarked smil-
ingly, "that the Signor Conte's hands
were not those of coral fisher. Oh, yes.
| know a gentleman when l
see him-though we Sicilians say we arc
all gentlemen. 1t is good boast, but,
alas! not always true! A rivederci, Sig
nor. Command me when you will am
your servant
Pressing his hand, l sprang lightly
| from the brig on to the quay.
"a riverderci" l called to him.
again, and yet again, a thousand
| thanks!"
''Oh! tropp'Onore, slgnore-tropp'o-
lore!" and thus left him, standing still
>areheaded on the deck of his little YES
| sci, with a kindly light on his brown
face like the reflection of fadeless sun
| |eam. Good hearted, merry rogue!
| His ideas of right and wrong were oddly
| nixed-yet his lies were better than
| many truths told US by our candid
| sriends-and you may be certain the
| great Recording Angel knows the differ
ence between a lie that saves and the
truth that kills, and metes out heavens
reward or punishment accordingly.
My first care when l found myself in
| the streets of Palmero was to purchase
| clothes of the best material and make
| adapted to gentleman's wear. l eX-
| planned to the tailor whose shop l en-
cred for the purpose that had joined
party of coral fishers for mere amuse-
nent. and had for the time adopted their
costumes. He believed my story, the
| more readily ordered him to make sew
,ral more suits for me Immediately, CIV
ng him the name of Count Cesare
Diva, and the address of the best hotel
| n the city. He served me with obse-
luious humility, and allowed me the
| Use of his private back room, where l
| discarded my fisher garb for the dress of
! gentleman ready-made suit that
| iappens to fit me passably we'll. Thus
| rrayed as became my station, l engaged
Ooms at the chief hotel of Palermo for
ONE weeks-weeks that were for me
ull of cBrevl preparation for the task
| f vengeful retribution that lay before
re. One of my principal objects was to
lace the money had with me In safe
lands / sought out the leading banker
n Palermo, and introducing myself
lnder my adopted name, l stated that
had newly returned to Sicily after
ONE years absence. He received me
yell, and although he appeared aston
shed at the large amount OF wealth L
lad brought, he was eager and willing
nough to make satisfactory arrange
aeats with me for its safe keeping, in
luding the bag of jewels, some of which,
rom their unusual size and lustre, ex-
tied his genuine admiration. Seeing
his, pressed on his acceptance fine
merald and two large brilliaDts. all I'M
ct, and requested him to have ring
lade of them for his own wear. Sur
rised at my generosity, he at first re-
used, -bmt his natural wish to possess
UGH rare gems finally prevailed, and he
ook them, oyerpowering me with
hankS,-while l was perfectly satisfied
o see that had secured his services so
thoroughly by my jeweled bride, that he
ither forgot, or else saw no ne
essity to ask me for personal ref
rences, which in my position would
ave been exceedingly difficult, if not
impossible, to obtain. When this bust
TESS transaction was entirely completed
devoted myself to my next consfdera-
ion, which was to disguise myself so
Utterly that no one should possibly be
bile to recognize the smallest resem-
lance in me to the late Fabio RomaDi,
ither by look, voice or trick OF manner.
had always worn moustache; 1t had
urned white in company with my hair.
now allowed my beard to grow; it
.ame out white also. But in contrast
With these temporary signs of age, my
ace began to fill up and look young
gain; my eyes, always slrge and dark,
esumed their old flashing, half-defant
ook, look which, it seemed to me,
would make some familiar suggestion 60
hose who had once known me as l was
,efore died. Yes. they spoke of things
hat must be forgotten and unuttered;
Of mine?
l"nOugnt ana soon ueclded. NoInlng
was easier than to feign weak sight
sight that was dazzled by the heat and
brilliancy of the southern sunshine; l
would wear smOke-coloured glasses. l
bought them as soon as the idea occurred
to me, and alone in my room before the
mirror tried their effect. l was satisfied;
they perfectly completed the disguise of
my face. With them and my white hair
and beard, looked like well-preserved
man of fifty. FIVE or so, whose only phys
ical ailment was slight affection of the
eyes.