Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-11-07

of a connoisseur.
"Exquisite!' he murmured. slipping
it lazily. "You are lodged en- prince
here, Conte.! 1 envy your
"You need not" I answered. "You
have youth and health, and
as You have limited to me,-love; all
these things are better than wealth,
so people say. At any rate youth and
health are good thjngs,-love have
no belief in. AS for me am mere
luxurious animal. loving comfort and
and ease beyond anything. I have
had many trials-I now take my rest
in my own fashion"
"a very excellent and sensible fash
icn?" smiled Ferrari, leaning his head
back on the satin cushions of the easy
chair into which he had thrown HIM
self.
''Do you know, Ccnte now look at
you well, think you must have been
very handsome when you were young!
You have superb fgurew
bowed stiflly. You fatter me Sig
nor! 1 believe never was specially hid
eous, but looks in man always rank
second to strength, and of strength I
have plenty yet remaining"
II do not doubt it, he returned, still
regarding me attentively with an ex-
preston in which there was the faint
est shadow of uneasiness.
at is an odd coincidence, you will
say, but l find most extraordinary
resemblance in the height and car
riage of the figure to that of my late
friend Romani."
/ poured some wine out for myself
with a steady hand and drank it.,
Really" 1 answered. II am glad
if 1 remind you of him, if the remind
er is agreeable. But all tall men are
much alike so far as figure goes, pro-
viding they are we'll made"
Ferrari's brow was contracted in o
musing frown and he answered not.
He still looked at me, and I returned
his look without embarrassment. FL
nally he reused himself, smiled and
finished drinking his glass of Monte
pulcianO. Then he rose to go.
"You will permit me to mention your
name to the Countess Romani, 1
hope?" he said cordially. 81 am GER
tain she will receive you, should you
desire it,
l feigned sort of vexation, and
made an abrupt movement of impa-
thence.
"The fact u.s." l said at last, 81 very
much dislike talking to women. They
are always illogical, and their frivolity
wearies me. But you have been so
friendly that / will give you a mes
sage for the countess. if you have no
objection to deliver it. l should be
sorry to trouble you unnecessarily,
and you perhaps will not have an op-
portunity of seeing her for many
days."
He colored slightly and moved I'M
easily. Then with kind of effort he
replied:
ION the contrary, I am going to see
her this very evening. assure you it
will be pleasure to me to convey to
her any greeting you may desire to
send
ooh, it is no greeting" continued
calmly, noting the various signs of
embarrassment in his manner with a
careful eye. 1T is a mere message,
which, however. may enable you to
understand why l was anxious to see
the young man who is dead. In my
early manhood the elder Count Ro-
mani did me an inestimable service.
never forgot his kindness; my men,
DRY is extraordinarily tenacious Of
both benefits and injuries; and I have
always desired to repay it in some
suitable manner. have with me a
few jewels of almost priceless value;
I have myself collected them, and
reserved them as present to the son
of my old friend, simply as trifing
souvenir. or expression Of gratitude
for past favors received from his fam
lily. His sudden death has deprived
me Of the pleasure Of fulfilling this
Intention; but as the jewels are quite
useless to me, am perfectly willing
to hand them over to the Countess
Romani, should she care to have them
They would have been hers had her
husband lived; they should be hers
now. If you, signor, will report these
facts to her, and learn her wishes with
respect to the matter shall be much
indebted to you"
II shall be delighted to obey you"
replied Ferrar courteously, rising at
the same time to take leave. 81 am
proud to be the bearer of SO pleasing
an errand. Beautiful women love jew
els, and who shall blame them! Bright
eyes and diamonds go we'll together.
A rlverderci, Signor Conte. trust we
shall meet often"
Il have no doubt we SHALL" I an
swered quietly.
He shook hands cordially; respond
ed to his farewell salutati0ns with the
brief GOODNESS which was now my
hAbitual manner, and we parted. From
the window of my saloon / could see
him sauntcrlng easily down the hotel
| steps and thence along the street.
How l cursed him as he stepped
jauntlly on; how hated his debOnair