The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-24


this mans enchanted home.
wow prepare your nerves, milOrd,h the
Italian saws with a mOcking smile, 'fOr
hers is the test" He slides forward large
folding door aud fnd yself gazing upon
a scene which, q think Of now, nils me
with a rapture; largely mingled with ave-
before me lies a hall, the walls Of which are
Of tbs marole had already observed In the
Siegnor's house, with this difference, here
attached 70 the oak alcOves are hundreds Of
tiny wax tapers which shed their pale luster
over the entire room; on a massive table in
the center Of the apartment a dozen or
more lovely statuettes are carelessly grouped
but now l come to the blood-curdling
part Of my adventure.
In each Above stands a petrided human
body. In the first is a woman of noble mein,
beautifully dressed in some delicate silken
fabric; next is a man, evidently her hus-
band. He is in the full uniform Of an Ital-
ian general. And so they stand in order.
the candles shedding their radiance over the
marble faces.
Softly l go up to the room, stopping to
gaze at each in turn, until with an exclama-
ton l came to halt in front Of an elcove
which contains the most exquisite face 1 have
ever LOGGED upon-beautiful in death. Only
those whose good fortune IL was to have seen
her know what she must have been in life
While am standing In a perfect rapture Of
delight. never once removing my eyes from
tbs lovely features, / am startled by hear
ing the Italians voice addressing me:
You think her very charming, MILFORD
do you notF
"Charming!n l exclaimed. ''Why.
seignor, have never in my whole existence
seen anything one half so fair. O, that |
might have seen her In life"
"A rash wish, Milford, and one of which
tcould 1t have been granted YOU you would
soon have repeated making. Why, examine
that face closely. Look at the perfect
mouth. There is falseness in every curve. -
The last words were spoken with such ex-
tr enc bitterness that | turned and looked
searchingly in the Old mans face. To nv
astonishment he was pale with passion, and
his black eyes we're blazing luridly
"Seignor," I asked eagerly, did you
know this ladyP
yves. MILFORD, be answered, "the woman
that you SO much admire was my wife,
Your wife" | exclaimed in amazenaent,
"Yes, with unspeakable regret l &C.
knowledge you to be correct, twas the same
old story; where young girl marries a
man old enough for her father Just because
she Graves riches. then plays him false and
leaves him to pass the remaining years of
his wrecked life alone. That is what de-
stroyed my faith in the life hereafter.
could not comprehend how merciful God
could allow such creatures to infest our
earth.n
Then, suddenly regaining his calm de-
meanor, Milford, those" pointing to the
figures, ''are all members of my family.
For generations these bodies have been
petrifed, nobody knows how it was done ex.
cept myself, and the secret must die with
me, being the last male member OF our
family. Here is a false key to the hall: you
are at liberty to coma and 90 Vvhan yc,,
like
'Seignor, have you any objection Co nv
sketching few of thossp' l asked, hardly
knowing what TO call them.
None IN the world. Come as often as
you feel disposed TO. And now. If you are
ready will escort you to the confines of the
city,"
bade my host adieu and returned to nv
Inn, marvelIng greatly at the wonderful
things had seen. After that rarely a dsv
passed without my visiting the selgnor's
mansion. Sometimes | would see him, and
Then be would converse brilliantly on differ
ent subjects agitating the nation: then be
would talk to me about art and literature
giving me many au idea | otherwise would
never have had aud again he would not
appear at all, aud would spend my time
drawing the beautiful statues that at one
time were instinct with glorious life.
One morning. arriving at the seignor's
aud not seeing him. | walked into the hall.
and arranging my materials l commenced
TO draw the face of my hosts lovely wife.
when 20 my surprise the statue began to re-
cede. Slowly it went until at last it dis
appeared altogether, and in its place stood
the counterpart of the marble figure with
this di8erence-the form before me was
overlooking with exuberant life, In the
ivory cheeks the color came and went ram
i6lV and tina largo daVl- 4
to their widest extent as she surveyed the
intruder for twas thus l know she deemed
mel, soft auburn curls clustered over her
shapely head and fell lovingly above the
broad, white brow, and her slender. grace-
full form was clad in some cltnging white
stuff
Honoring me with prolonged scrutiny
from her lovely eyes. my apparition, ap-
parently satisfied, came forward, and pick
ing up one of my sketches, examined it
critically and uttered cry of Joy.
why this is my favorite statue" she
Dried. ibid you draw it seignorY'
Yes, seignorita, said, and found my
self blushing like schQol-boy.
VI don't know whether to believe you or
not, seignor," she said, gravely. "You
may DO making fun of me, playing off on
my ignorance, as it were, for l have never
been outside of these woods in my life. and
l am now Is years DID," This last very
proudly.
"Reallyl A verltable Methuselah," say.
smiling in spite of myself. "But tell me, /
implore you, who you are"
Don't you known is the answer in a
surprised tone. "Why, l AN Marguerite
Lorenzo. l thought papa had surely told
you about me-"
Never mentioned your name" 1 saw
aloud, but inwardly think sly old fellow
to have this beautiful young girl immured
In this lonely place apd never say a word
about it, really | find it hard to forgive
him.
Isn't it strange that l should have
thought of coming in here this morninggn
my vision says in her soft musical Italian.
Not at all strange" say, quickly. sit
was fate am sure that prompted you to
come"
Fate" she repeated in a puzzled tone.
what is fate, seignorF
II find it hard to explain, seignorita,
what really constitutes fate. only can
assure you that it was charming fate in
deed thai whispered you to come and view
your feYorite statues this morning.
II don't understand you" she said with
wistful expression in her large dark eyeA
II am afraid you are making fun of me-"
Making fun of YOU" 1 exclaim; ''how
you do maiign me, seignorita. But tel! me
how such fragile person as yourself could
move that heavy marble. l cannot recon-
Gle myself to the idea"
Come here and l will show you.n she
said; and going up to the statue she pressed
her hand upon g tiny knob hitherto I'M
noticed by me, aud the figure moved slowly
away and at last disappeared altOuether