Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-08-12

Ia pesta; there was no remedy. l.;
pesta cares nothing for youth or age
and spares neither rich nor poor"
For moment l leaned my head or
my hand affecting to be overcome b,
the suddenness of the news. Their
looking up, I said, regretfully:
'Alasi I am too late, l was a FRIEND
Of his fathers. l have been away fol
many years, and I had a great isl
to meet the young Romani whom
last saw as a child. Are there any
relations of his living-was he mar
ried?"
The waiter, whose countenance had
assumed q fitting righteousness in
accordance with what he imagined
were my feelings, frightened up i'm
mediately as he replied eagerly:
'Oh, ST, signor! 7 he Contessa Ro-
rGani lives up at the villa, though l
believe she receives no one since her
husbands death. She is young and
beautiful as an angel. There is a
little child too
A hasty movement on the part Of
Ferrari caused me to turn nv ewes. or
rather my spectacles, in his direction.
He leaned forward, and raising his hat
with the old courteous grace I knew so
well, said politely:
Pardon me, signOr, for interrupting
you! [ knew the late young Count
Romanl Well-perh8pS better than any
man in Naples. l shall be denghted
/ RI a ford inf
seek concerning him"
Oh, the old mellow music of his
yOice-hOw it struck On my heart and
! pierced it like the refrain of familiar
song loved in the days of our youth
For an instant | could not speak
wrath and sorrow Choked my utter
anCe. Fortunately this feeling was
but mentary-sloWly | raised my
hat in response to his salutation, and
answered stiffiy:
L am your servant, signor. You
will oblige me indeed if you can place
me in communication with the rela-
tives of this unfortunate young noble
man. The elder Count Romani was
Cearer to me than a brother-men
have such attachments occasionally
Permit me to introduce myself" and
handed him my visiting card with
slight and formal bow. He accepted it,
and as he read the name it bore he
gave me a quick glance of respect
mingled with pleased surprise
THE Conte Cesare Oliva!" he ex-
claimed. Il esteem myself most for
tunate to have met you! Your arrival
has already been notified to us by the
avant-courier of the fashionable in
telngence: so that we are we'll aware"
here laughing lightly, "of the distinc-
tive right you have to a hearty well
come in Naples. I am only sorry that
amy distressing news should have
darkened the occasion of your return
here after so long as absence. Permit
me to express the nope that it may at
least be the only cloud for you on our
southern sunshinei"
And he extended his hand with that
ready frankness and bonhomie which
are always a part of the Italian tenn
permanent, and were especially so of
his. A cold shudder ran through my
veins. God! could I take his hand
in mean? [ must-if I would act my
pari tborOughly-for should refuse he
would think it strange-even rude |
should lose the game by one false
move. With a forced smile I hest
tatingly held out my hand also-it
was gloved, yet as he clasped it
heartily in his own the warm pres
sure burned through the glove like
! fire. [ could have cried out in agony,
so eXcruciating was the mental tor
ture which l endured at that moment.
But it passed, the ordeal was over, and
knew that from henceforth | should
be able to shake hands with him as
often and as indifferently as with any
other man. 1t was only this first time
that it CALLED me to the quick. Farrari
noticed nothing of my emotion-he
was in excellent spirits, and turning
to the waiter, who had fingered to
watch us make each others acquain-
lance, he exclaimed:
More coffee, gsrcon, and couple Of
glCrias." Then looking toward me,
You do not object to a gloria, conte?
No? That is we'll And here is my
card" taking one from his pocket and
laying it on the table. Guido Ferrari,
at your service, an artist and a very
POOR one. We shall celebrate our
meeting by drinking each others
health"
I bowed. The waiter vanished to
execute his orders, and Ferrari drew
his chair close to mine.
Il see you smoke" he said, gayly.
Can l offer you one Of my cigars
They are unusually choice. Permit
me-" and he proffered me a richly en-
bossed and emblaZoned silver cigar
case. with the Romani arms and
Coronet and my own initial engraved
thereon. 1t was mine, Of course
took it with a sensation of grin
smusement-I had not seen it since
: the day l died!
"a fine antique l remarked, care.
lessly. turning it over and over in N!
hand, curious and valuable. A gif
or an heir-loom?"
1T belonged to my late friend
Count Fabio," he answered, putting {
, light cloud of smoke in the air as h,
drew his cigar from his lips to speak
l at was found in his pocket by tn
' priest who saw him die. That AM
I ether trif1es Which he were on hi
1 rerson were delivered to his wife
e and"
y "Sha naturally gave Won the cigar