Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-11-14


vice if you consented to take them to
the countess Romania for me-tell her
to accept them as heralds of my forth
coming visit. am sure you will know
how to persuade her to take what
would unquestionably have been hers.
had her husband lived. They are real
ly her property-she must not refuse
TO receive what is her own"
Ferrari hesitated and looked at me
earnestly.
your coming for certainty, l hope?"
l smiled. you seem very anxious
about it. May l ask why?'
Il think" he replied at once, t'that it
would embarrass the countess very
much if you gave her no opportunity to
thank you for so munificent and splen-
did gift-and unless she knew she
could do so. am certain she would
not accept it,
make yourself quite easy" I an
swered. "She shall thank me to her
hearts content. l give you my word
that within few days will call upon
the lady; in fact, you said you would
introduce me; accept your offer"
He seemed delighted. and Selling
my hand shook it cordially.
Then in that case will gladly take
the jewels to her. he exclaimed. "And
may say, count. that had you search
ed the whole world over. you could
not have found one whose beauty was
more fitted to show off to advantage.
l assure you ler loneliness is of
most exquisite character"
"No doubt" l said drily. II take
your word for it. l am no judge of a
fair face or form. And now, my good
friend, do not think me churlish If
request you to leave me in solitude
for the present. Between and 4
o'clock shall b. at your studio"
He rose at once to take his leave.
placed the oaken box of jewels in the
leathern case which had been made to
contain it, strapped and locked it, and
handed it to him, together with its
key. He was profuse in his compli-
ments and thanks; almost obseQuious,
in truth; and discovered another de-
feet in his character-a defect which,
as his friend in former days, I had
guessed nothing Of. saw that very
little encouragement would make him
toady-a fawning servitor on the
wealthy, and in our old time of friend
ship had believed him to be above
all such meanness, but rather Of
manly, independent nature that scorn-
ed hypocrisy. Thus are we deluded,
even by our nearest and dearest-and
1t is well or ill for us, wonder, when
we are at last undeceived? Is not the
destruction of illusion worse that H.
fusion itself? thought so, as my
Quondam friend clasped my hand in
farewell that morning. What would
not have given to believe in him as
once did? held open the door of my
room as he passed out, carrying the
box of jewels for my wife, and as
babe him a brief adieu, the well-worn
story of Tristram and King Mark
came to my mind. He, Guido, like
Tristram, would in short space clasp
the gemmed necklace round the throat
of one as fair and false as the tabled
Iseulte, and I-should figure as the
wronged king? How does the English
laureate put it in his idyll on the sub
ject?
Marks way. said Mark, and Glove
him through the BRAIN"
Too sudden and sweet death by
far for such traitor! The Cornish
king should have known how to tor
ture his betrayer. l knew-and med
itated deeply on every point of my
design as sat alone for an hour after
Ferrari had left me. l had many
things to do; had resolved on making
myself parsonage of Importance in
Naples, and I wrote several letters
and sent out visiting cards to certain
we'll established families of distinction
as necessary preliminaries to the re-
suit 1 had in view. That day, too,
engaged a valet-a silent and discreet
Tuscan named VincenZo Flamma. He
was an admirably trained servant-he
never asked questions-was to dignl-
fed to gossip, and, rendered me instant
and implicite obedience; in fact, he
was gentleman in his way, with far
better manners than many who lay
claim to that title. He entered upon
his duties at once, and never did I
know him to neglect the most triling
thing that could add to my satisfac-
ton or comfort. In making arrange
ments with him and in attending to
various little matters of business the
hours slipped rapidly away, and in the
afternoon, at time appointed, made
my way to Ferrari's studio. knew
it of old; had no need to consult the
card he had left with me on which
the address was written. 1t was
queer, quantity built place. situated at
the top of an ascending road; it's win
dows command an extensive view of
the bay and the surrounding scenery.
Many and many a happy hour had
l passed there before my marriage,
reading some favorite book or watch
ing Ferrari as ne painted his crude
landscapes and figures, most of which
had good-naturedly purchased as
soon as completed. The little porch,
over-grown with jessamine, looked
strangely and sorrowfully familiar to
my eyes, and my heart experienced a
sickening pa1lg of regret for the past,
as pulled the bell and heard the lit
tie tinkling sound to which l was 80
we'll accustomed Ferrari himself
opened the door to me with eager IA,
pidity. He looked excited and radi
ant.
"Come in, come In" he cried. with
ELUSIVE cordially. "You will find
everything In confusion, but pray ex-
cuse it. 1t is some time since had
any visitors. Mind the steps, conte,
.he place il rather dark just here;
| every one Stumbles Mt this Darticular