The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-23

Her face looked very white in the
doorway there; and the pulse in her
temples, her husband noticed. was
beating fast. But she came forward
impulsivcly. smiling, surprised, yet
glad to see him.
'Luigi!" She said. "Bacll SO soon"
"Ah, Adelina.
AS she stood before him rather a,vlS-
wardly in the corridor. lie stopped and
kissed her on the forehead.
AS his lips touched her flesh, the
count heard IL low, dull click from the
boudoir.
Gomez he said, moving toward her
room. II have something to- tell YOU"
They entered the boudoir both smi l.
ing, and sat down. There was
pause.
WELL" said the countess. what is
your ne ws?"
He repeated quite casually what he
had said to the steward below. stretch.
ing himself slightly in his armchair as
he spoke.
II have made mp my mind to move
the whole household at once to Cuserta.
There arc rumors of cholera in Naples.
l have given orders to the servants be.
low. And | want you to be ready to
start in an hour"
He spoke quite casually, but his fixed
glance fell on the ebony chest Its lid
was closed. The countess Intercepted
his glance. She twitched in her chair
Presently she said, dcprccatingly
Surely it will he very dull at Cascrta."
THE country is looking lovely" the
count replied, smiling. Then lie added,
"As the train goes III an hour, my heart,
will You not go and prepare yourself for
the journcy?'
Il am rather tired. I should like
Anita to bring my things down here"
BY all means" lie rose and rang
the bell. In Il moment or two. which
the count passed in rolling cigarette,
Anita appeared; received her order to
bring her mistress things down. and to
prepare herself for travelling: and de-
parted. astounded. As she left the bon.
dor, Sorra entered it, The fat stew
ards eyes were tiazcd. He seemed to see
nobody. and lie stumbled in his walk
His agitation was too manifest to pass
unnoticcd.
Dear me-" the count saws. ait is
certain that there is something dia boil
cally nnwlolcsomc in Naples indeed, |
have never seen such pale faces. We
had better hurry away as quickly as
possible" He looked from the steward
| to his wife. Her eye was troubled: but
broad. idiotic smile was fixed on her
lips. Then he turned to the steward
again.
Have You locked UP all the treasures
in the dining room and study. Sorra:"
Isl ccccllcn%a.''
Very well. then YOU had better lock
up everything here in the boudoir
Begin, man. and be quick
The stewards complexion turned
| livid. He seemed for moment unable
to move. lie shntlicd with his feet. ami
looked piteouslv at the countess But
the Countess Medina seemed to sec
nothing. Stretched back i'm an arm
| chair. and white as death. She smiled
idioticaly. The count lighted cigar
| cite.
well. Sorra," he said simply.
"what is all this delay abont?r Then
| the steward shambled forward. his shoes
| creaking tremendously in the silence. to
the open cabinct on one side of the fire.
| place. He fumblcd awhile and locked
that. Then lie locked the cabinet on
the other side OF the fireplace; then he
locked heavy medieval cupboard
standing against the wall opposite tho
windows. Then he made hurried sort
| of obeisancc and shuffled toward the
door. The woman lying in the arm
chair let an involuntary sigh escape
| her
You had better lock tile ebony
| chest. Sorra.' said the count Quite
apart from the skin of the lion which
| disfignrcd me. there are curios in it,"
The countess raised herself out of hen.
| chair, stiff and stark She looked like
woman who had died suddenly with a
grin upon her lips. She said nothing.
| She simply looked nj the closed ebony
| chest.
Stay. Sorra." said the connt-thc
! trembling steward was already on his
knees, trying 10 tit the key into the
lock. stay" the count said: the
! countess, think. wants to take some
thing out Of the chest.
: But She shook her head, and sank
back in her old aiiiiude-a woman
! turned suddenly to stone, in an arm
chair
taken! Her cNcclicncy docs not wish to
| take anything out Oh inc cil'st. -.
| Then lock it, good Sorra, lock- it.
The key screamed as it turned. There
was silence Then, as Sorrn scrambled
TO his knees again. looking a>hon. the
| count held out his hand.
Now give me the KEYS" lac said;
land bring some wine and sandwiches,
that we may have lttle something
before we start
He put the keys into his pocket
| Half an hour aftcrward Sorra came