New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-28
CHAPTER XlX.


late, indeed, he had become less restless than he
had formerly BEEN and he attributed the change
10 the weakness which was the consequence OF his
wound There were probably other causes at work
at that time of which lie was handy conscious
himself, but which ultimately produced change
IN him and in his way of looking at the world
He stood at his open windows early in the morn
ing ard gazed out at the fresh, bright country
The delicate hand Of spring had already touched
the world with color, and the breath of the com
Ing warmth had walked the life in all those things
which die yearly and yearly raised again
Ghsleri felt the morning sun upon his thin pale
face. and he realized that he also had been very
near to death during the dark months. and ne re-
mcmbered how he had wished that he mlsht De
not near only to dying, but dead altogether, never
to take up again the Play that had grown so
wearSome and empty in his eyes
But now change had come. For the first timc
In years. he knew that if the choice were suddenly
altered IN at the present moment he would
choose =, live out all the days allotted to him.
and would wish that they might be many rather
than few There was indeed, a dark spot on the
mage last turrcd OF which he could never ehace
the memory nor. in his own estimation, outline
the shame In his day-dreams Maddalcna d'l
Arni's coldly perfect face was often peiore HIN
with an expression upon il which he feared 70 Sec
knowing too well why II was there-apd ont OF a
deeper depth of memory dead Blanca Corleones
ewes looked at him with rcproach and sometimes
with scorn There was much pain IN store Tor
him vet Of the kind at which the world never
yucss,d. nor ever could But he would not try 10
escape from it. He would not again so ac' OF
tbinl; as to call himself coward in his own heart
tribunal.
lie looked out at the distant hills, and down at
md
tho ancient fortress. and fell to thinking rather
idly about the people who had lived and fought
ond ouarrelled and slain each other within ana
arourd thosc massive wells. and then h" thought
a n once of Adele Savelli and Of his suspicious re-
carding her He was in particularly chail'apio
frame of mind on that morning, and he suddenly
felt that what he almost believed on the previous
night was utterly beyond the bounds OF prop
ability. II seemed to him that he had no manner
Of right TO accuse any one OF the crime nc "'u
impnted 10 her, on the most shadowy grouhuS, anu
absolutely without proof, unless the coi'''''e"''
of her uneasy behavior, with certain vague IT,
marks of his own, could b. taken as evidence
Ne SAT down to think il all over. drinking his
oawoo nv tbc onon window. and enjoying the sun
shine and the sweet morning air Inc "ho''
world looked so good and innocent and 1fesh d. a.,
no oazed ont upon it that the possibilities OF evil
seemcd to shrnl, away into nothing
Rut ne he systematically reviewed tn" events OF
the rsst months his suspicion returne1 almost WIN
the force of conviction. Tie COIN dences were
Zoo numerous TO be attributed to chance alone
Adele's distress Of mind was too evident 10 W
denied Altogether there was no "scapins "ou'
the conclusion that, willingly or unwiinn9'N' nv
na1 bccn consciously instrumental in bringing
,h",. Ardcn,s illness and death. Her questions
about the wisest course TO pursue LII e"''' VI
b,ackmajl pointed to the probability, II not 'he
Certainty. that some third person was acqualh''o
with what had happened, and this person was III
all likelihood the maid Lucia so far his reason
ing took him quickly and plausibly enough ou'
no further How the scarlet fever had oeeh co'"
municated from Lucia to Herbert Arden was NOR
tban Gbisleri could guess, but if Adele was really
IN the serving womans rover 1t must nave o"o"
done in such way as to make what hao nap
uened quite clear to the latter After 'ii"Nin@
over all the possibilities. and vaniy attempting ~
so,va the hard problem, Ghisleri found hlmseli
"a much at sea ever. and was drlVeh 10 az
knowledge that he must trust to chance lor oo
..;,,;nn orv further evidence in the matter.
Woanwbile Adele had determined to follow his
.dv,ca Her anxiety was becoming unDearaoie
.ud che felt that she could not endure such sus
nonsn much longer To accuse Lucia directiy o.
having onened the letter and committed the ttei
would be rash and dangerous. Ihere was oar'
oss;b;litv that some one else might have done th'
deed. She must in any case be cautious >,
"Jucia." she said that morning, while rms
woman was doing her hair " do you remeh''c
that some DAYS ago l gave you letter 10 Dc reg
,stered. and that you brought back the receipt 10
1t from the postofice
w. Fxcel,encv. remember very WE'LL Lucl'
nod heen OK, Getting for long time that her ms're-
would question her and she was quite prepared
c. Nd rood nerves. and the certainty that IN
aroot lady was altogether in her power made he
cool and collected
a very extraordinary thing happened 70 Una
letter" said Adele, looking up at her own lace Il
the glass to give herself courage III was ra'he
;mnortant. had written to Padre Doha'eh'ui'
asking spiritual guidance, and particularly u'
sired An answer But he wrote 10 me py ie,ui
At most. saving that when he opened the ehVciop
he found only four sheets of blank paper "lthou
word written on them. You see soi,eoo"
must have thought there was money In Wv '.'o'
.They are such thieves at the postohice' eA
.,o;,rod Incia But this is terrible affair, En-
cellency. What is to be done? Inc pos,,n"'''
must he sent to the ealleys immediately
In Iucia's conception Of the law such sun
mary course seemed quite practicable.
II am afraid that would be very unjust all
could IA no good at ALL, said Adele al
ou;tn sure that the postmaster would not hav
dared 20 open letter already registered and 10
which he had given receipt. AS for any Oh
in the house having done it. cannot believe
either. gave It into your hands myself and so
brought me back the stamped bit of paper-it
there in INV iewel-case. / only wish you to FIN
out for me, very quietly and without exciting SUI
melon. who took that letter to the post. If
could get it back 1 would give the person VIII
brought it to me handsome reward You under
stand. Lucia, how disagreeable it is to feel tina
a letter concerning ones most sacred feelings
lost and has perhaps been read by more than on
person" $4,000,
II cannot imagine anything more dreadful
p,. no easy. Excellcncy. / will do all can, AM
none of the servants shall suspect that am que'
tioning them"
AT .hou IN worry much obliged to YOU, Lucia,