Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-07

steamers path, was fioated ashore up
the creeks into the long grasses and
reeds beneath the Devils bridge at Tor
Gallo The yellow water iris was then
Towering. and two little reed warblers
were nesting amongst the flags, as the
opals were drifted up under some hem
lock leaves and there rested.
~ think they are eggs. but they are
all strung together said the warbler
to his mate.
''They look more like the spawn of n
fish," said the little winged lady, with
scorn.
A water rat came up and smelt at
them. then went away disdainfully-
they were not good to eat. For birds
and beasts do not care, for Jewels; it is
only humanity, which thinks itself So
perior to them. which sees any value in
stones, and calls such toys precious.
There is nowhere in the world any
grass richer than that of Torcello, and
forget-me-nots. huneysucllles. and wild
roses grow down to the waters edge
and around the hoary stones of the de-
serted isle.
"What God-forgotten place!"'said
young man as he sprang from boat
on to the bank by the bridge.
"Torcello was the mother of Venice;
the daughter has slain herr" replied an
older man as he laid down his oars in
the boat. and prepared to follow his
companion.
His foot trod amongst the hemlock
leaves and was entangled by them; he
stopped. and his eyes, which were very
keen, caught sight of the string of opals.
"a woman's necklace" he said, as he
drew it from under the salt scaweed
and the dewy dock leaves. 1t was dis
colored, and had sand and mud on it,
and bore little traces of it's former
beauty, but he recognized that it was 4
jewel of worth; he perceived, even
dulled as they were, that the stones
were opals.
what have you there?" cried the
younger man from above on the bank.
1.-THE skull of an archimandritc?"
The other threw the necklace iupon
the grass.
"You would have,been filter finder
of woman's collar than l."
"Opals! The stones of sorrow!" said
the younger man, gravely, as he raised
it and brushed off the sand. at has
been beautiful" he added. ''It will be
SO again. 1t is not really hurt, only a
little DEUTSCHLAND furnished
LEND me your glass;" said the
younger man. The glass was of strong
magnifying power. When it WAS hand
ed to him Inc looked through it at some
little marks on the back of the clasp of
the opal collar. "Laranigra, 1775, ;" he
read aloud. 'Laranigra, is q Venetian
name.
'There is Ca Laranigra on the
Grand canal. 1t is next to the Laredan.
the second story this morning. Carlo
Laranigra dled young. he has widow
who is only twenty now. She was a
daughter of the duke of Monfalcone,
family of the Trentino, but pure Ital-
ians in blood. Their place is in the
mountains above Garizia. 1t must be
she who owns this necklace, an heir-
loom, probably"
Take it to hery said the finder of it,
with Indifference. II cede you my
rights"
The younger laughed.
"Ah! who knows what they may be-
Gomez"
Whatever they may become they
are yours. 1 do not appreciate that
kind of reward"
"Really?" said the younger man. ST
so pity you!"
NAY; pity you," said the elder.
The young man still stood with the
opals in his hands; with a whisp of
grass he had cleared the sand in
measure off them; the pearly softness
and the roseate flame of the stone be-
gan to show here and there; two alone
of their number We're missing.
Come" said his comSanion, with i'm
patience. "Put that broken rubbish in
your pocket and let us go and see the
cathedral and S. Fosca, for it will soon
grow dark
They went, without visiting the
basilica back to Venice in the twilight
which deepened into night as they
drew near the city: the moon was high
dlt Vic DIR Stlll' LHty NiiCIi III lilc
spacious rooms set aside in the hotel
for Andreis. When the dinner was over
he rose.
"Will you Gomez" he asked.
.'Wherc?" asked Damer.
ITO the Ca Laranigra," said Andreis,
with boyish laugh.
Not l." replied Damer.
"a rivederci, then" said Andreis.
But he fingered moment.
sit will not be fair to you," he said,
"for me to take the credit of having
found this necklace"
"Whatever honor there may be In
the salvage 1 cede it, tell you, will
ingly."
"Of course l shall tell her that it was
you"
"There is no need to do so; I am not
a squire of danes. She will prefer a
Sicilian prince to a plain man of sci
ence. However, you must find the lady
first. The true owner lies under some
moss-grown slab in some chapel crypt,
no doubt