The Iola register., 1891-04-24
CHAPTER x.-coNTrNUED.

the streets OF PalmerO was 10 purchase
clothes of the best material and make
adapted to gentleman's wear. ex-
planned to the tailor whose shop / en-
tered for the purpose that had Joined a
party of coral fishers for mere amuse-
ment and had for the time adopted their
costumes He believed my story, the
more readily ordered him to make sew
eral more suits for me Immediately, CIV
ing him the name Of Count CesAre
Olivia, and the address of the best hotel
in the city. He served me with obse-
quious humility, and allowed me the
use of his private back room, where /
discarded my fisher garb for the dress OF
gentleman-a ready-made suit tia;
happens to fit me passably well. Thus
arfayed as became fny Stallion, engaged
rooms at the chief hotel OF Palermo for
some weeks-weeks that were for me
full of cBreful preparation for the task
of vengeful retribution that lay before
me. One of my principal objects was to
place the money had with me in safe
hands. l sought out the leading banker
in Palermo, and introducing myself
under my adopted name, stated that
had newly returned to Sicily after
some years absence. He received me
well, and although he appeared aston
ished at the large amount OF wealth i
had brought, he was eager and willing
enough to make satisfactory arrange
ments with me for its safe keeping, in
Guiding the bag of jewels, some Of which,
from their unusual size and lustre, ex-
cited his genuine admiration. Seeing
this, pressed on his acceptance a fine
emerald and two large brilliants all un-
a 4 hfR,a 70 how Rin
made of them for his own wear. Sur
prised at my generosity, he at first re-
fused,-bmt his natural wish to possess
such rare gems finally prevailed, and he
took them, overpowering me with
thanks,-while was perfectly satisfied
to see that | had secured his services SO
thoroughly by my jeweled bribe, that he
either forgot, or else saw no ne
cessity to ask me for personal ref
erences, which in my position would
have been exceedingly difficult, if not
impossible, to obtain. When this busi-
ness transaction was entirely completed
l devoted myself TO my next cOnsidera-
tion, which was to disguise myself so
utterly that no one should possibly be
able to recognize the smallest resem-
blance in me to the late Fabio ROmani.
either by look, voice or trick of manner.
had always worn a mouStaChe; it had
turned white in company with my hair
/ now allowed my beard to grow; it
came out white also. But in contrast
with these temporary signs of age, my
face began to ill up and look young
again: myeyes, always large and dark,
resumed their old flashing, half-detiant
look. look which, it seemed to me.
would make some familiar suggestion to
those who had once known me as l was
before / died. Yes, they spoke of things
that must be forgotten and unuttered;
what should l do with those tell-tale eyes
of mine?
Thought and soon decided. Nothing
was easier than to feign weak sight
sight that was dazzled by the heat and
brilliancy of the southern sunshine;
would wear Smoke-coloured glasses.
bought them as soon as the idea occurred
to me, and alone in MY room before the
mirror | tried their effect. | was satisfied;
they perfectly completed the disguise of
my face With them and my white hair
and beard, looked like a well-preServed
man of fifty. five or SO, whose only phys
Ical ailment was a slight affection of the
eyes.
The next thing to alter was my voice.
had naturally peculiarly soft voice,
and a rapid, yet clear, enunciation, and
it was my habit, as it is the habit of al
most every Italian, to accompany my
words with the expressive pantomime of
gesture. took myself in training as an
actor studies for a particular part |
cultivated a harsh accent, and spoke with
deliberation and coldness- occasionally
with sort of sarcastic bruSsuerie, care
fully avoiding the least movement of
hands or head during converse. This
was exceedingly difficult of attainment TO
me, and took me An infinite deal of time
and trouble: but 1 had for my model
middle-aged Englishman who was stay
ing in the same hotel as myself, and
whose starched stoliditY never relaxed for
a single instant. He saw human ice
berg-perfectly respectable, with an air
of decent gloom about him which is gen.
orally worn by all the sons Of Britain
while sojourning in foreign cline. l
copied his manners as closely as posi-
ble;-I kept my mouth shut with the
same precise air of not-to-be enlightened
obstinacy,-I walked with the same up
right drill-demeanour,-and l surveyed
the scenery with the same superior
contempt l knew l had succeeded
at last, for overheard waiter speak
ing OF me to his companion as 'the
white bear!'
One other thing / did. wrote a
courteous note to the editor of the pril-
cipal newspaper published in NapleS-a
newspaper that ] knew always found its
way to the Villa Romani-and enclosing
fifty frances, requested him to insert a
paragraph for me in his next issue.
This paragraph was worried somewhat
as follows
''The Signore Conte Cesare Olivia, q
nobleman who has been for many years
absent from his native country, has, we
understand, just returned, possessed of
almost fabulous wealth, and is about to
arrive in Naples, where he purposes
making his hone for the future The
leaderN of soci sty here will no doubt well
come with enthusiasm so distinguished
an addition to the brilliant circles COM
manded by t cir influence"
The editor obeyed my wishes, and in
serted what sent him, word for word as
it was written. He sent me the paper
containing it with a million compli-
ments," but was discreetly silent con-
cerniug the fifty francs. though ! am
certain he pocketed them with unaf-
fected joy. Had l sent him double the
money, he might have been induced TO
announce me as king or emperor in
disguise. Editors of newspapers lay
claim to be honorable nen;-they may be
so in England, but in Italy most
OF theml would do anything for
money. Poor devils! who can blame
them, considering how little they get
by their limited dealings in pen
and ink In fact | am not at all
certain but that few English newspaper
editors might beafound capable of accept
ing bribe, If large enough, and if