Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-10-17

Slkllt<sHeuua
'Not l." answered him heartily.
Con the contrary, would there were
more like yoa Addio! and with this, y
here 1 gave him the passage money
we had agreed upon. accept my
thanks. I shall not forget your kind
ness; if you need friend send for
me-
But" he said, with a naive ming
ling of curiosity and timidity, show
can do that if the signore does not
tell me his name"
had thought of this during the past
night. 1 knew it would be necessary
to take different name, and had re-
solved on adopting that of school
friend, a boy whom l had been pro-
foundly attached in my earliest youth,
and who had been drowned before my
eyes while bathing in the Venetian
Lido. So I answered Andrea's ques-
ton at once and without effort.
''Ask for the Count Cesare OLIVIA"
said. II shall return to Naples short
ly, and should you seek me, you will
find me there"
The Sicilian dotted his cap and sa-
luted me profoundly.
II guessed WELL" he remarked smil-
1ngly. "that the Signor Conte's hands
were not those of coral fisher. oh,
yes. know a gentleman when l see
him, though we Sicilians say we are
all gentlemen. 1t is good boast, but,
alas! not always true. A rivederci,
Signor. Command me when you will,
am your servant"
Pressing kss hand. sprang lightly
from the brig onto the quay.
ga riverderci!' called to him.
"Again, and yet again, thousand
thanks"
ooh! tropp'onore. signore-tropp'o-
nore!" and thus I left him standing
still bareheaded on the deck of his lit
tie vessel, with kindly light on his
brown face like the reflection of q
fadeless sunbeam. Good-hearted, mer-
~ rogue! His ideas of right and
wrong were oddly mixed; yet his lies
were better than many truths told us
by our candid friends, and you may be
certain the great Recording Angel
knows the difference between a lie
that saves and the truth that kills
and metes out heavens reward accord
ingly.
My first care when found myself in
the streets Of Palermo was to pur-
chase clothes of the best material and
make adapted to gentieman's wear.
explained to the tailor whose shop
I entered for the purpose that I had
Joined party Of coral fishers for
mere amusement, and had for the
time adopted their costumes. He be-
lieved my story, the more readily I
ordered him 10 make several more
suits for me Immediately, giving him
the name of Count Cesare Olivia and
the address Of the best hotel in the
city. He served me with obsequious
humility and allowed me the use Of
his private back room where discard
ed my fisher garb for the dress Of
gentleman-a ready-made suit that
happens to fit me passabiy well. Thus
arrayed as became my station, en-
gagged rooms at the chief hotel Of
Palermo for some weeks-weeks that
were for me full of careful prepara
ton for the task of vengeful retribu-
ton that lay before me. One of my
principal objects was to place the
money I had with me in safe hands.
I sought out the leading banker of
Palermo, and. introducing myself I'M
der my adopted name stated that I
had newly returned from Sicily after
some years absence. He received me
well. and although he appeared as
tonished at the large amount of wealth
I had brought, he was eager and will
ing enough to make satisfactory ar
engagements with me for it's safe keep
ing, including the bag of Jewels, some
of which, from their unusual size and
austre, excited his genuine admiration
Seeing this pressed on his acceptance
fine emerald and two large brilliants,
oil unset, and requested him to have
a ring made Of them for his own wear
Surprised at my generosity he at first
refused; but his natural wish to pos
sess such rare gems finally prevailed
and he took them, oyerpowering me
with thanks, while I was perfectly sat
listed to see that had secured his
services so thoroughly by my jeweled
bribe, that he either forgot or else saw
no necessity to ask me for personal
references, which, in my position,
would have been exceedingly difficult,
ii not impossible to obtain. When
this business transaction was entirely
completed devoted myself to my next
consideration, which was to disguise
myself so utterly that no one should
possibly be able to recognize the small
est resemblance in me to the late Fa-
bio Romani, either by look, voice or
trick of manner. had always worn
a moustache; it had turned white in
company with my hair. I now al
lowed my beard to grow; 1t came out
white also. But in contrast with these
temporary signs of age, my face be-
gan to fill up and look young again;
my eyes, always large and dark, re-
sumed their old flashing. half-defiant
look, a lock which. 1t seemed to me,
would make some familiar suggestion
to those who had once known me as
was before died, Yes. they spoke
of things that NUT be forgotten and
unrttcrcd; what should l do with
those tell-tale eyes Of mine?
/ thought and soon decided. Moth
ing was easier than to feign weak
sigllt-siglit that was dazzlcd by the
heat and briniancy of the southern
sunshine; l would wear smoke-coloyca
glnsses. bought them MS soon as the
Idea occurred to me. and alone IN my