Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-08-12

ihaDI, Wtdilny nODlcman OF lnlS
city,"
Ha. a e. &C hit this time, Though
iarIarentl. rot looking at him | saw
Ferrari star as though he had been
sting, and then compose himself In
bis seat with IN air of attention. The
alter meal vi ile in answer to my
question, raised his lahds, eyes, and
81 Culders all together with 4 shrug
expressive OF resigned melancholy.
"Ah, gran bio! morto!'
/ Dead" | exclaimed, with pre-
tended start of shocked surprise. 80
young? Impossible!"
"Eh! what will you, signor? 1t was
| la pesta; there was no remedy. La
pesta cares nothing for youth or age,
and spares neither rich nor poor"
For moment leaned my head on
my hand, affecting to be overcome by
the suddenness of the news. Then
looking up, l said, regretfully:
Alas, | am too late | was friend
of his fathers. | have been away for
many years, and | had great fish
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 a fitting righteousness in
accordance with what he imagined
were my feelings, frightened up i'm
mediately as he replied eagerly
"Oh, 81, signor The Contessa Ro-
mani lives up at the villa, Though |
believe she receives no one since her
beautiful as an angel. There is a
little child too"
! A hasty movement on the part of
Ferrari caused me to turn my eyes, or
rather my spectacles, in his direction.
He leaned forward, and raising his hat
with the old courteous grace | knew so
well. said politely:
Pardon me, signor, for interrupJing
youl l knew the late young Count
Romani well-perhsps better than any
man in Naples. | shall be denghted
to afford you any information you may
seek concerning MIN.
Oh, the old mellow music of his
yoice-how it struck on my heart and
fpierced 1t like the refrain OF A 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 momentary-slowly | raised my
hat in response to his salutation, and
answered stiffly:
81 am your servant, signor. You
will oblige me indeed If you can place
me in communication with tho rela-
tives of this unfortunate young noble
man. The ED Count Romani was
Gearer to ne than a Drother-men
have such attachments occasionally
Permit me to introduce myself" and
| handed him my visiting card with a
slight and formal bow He accepted it,
and as he read the name it bore he
gave me quick glance of respect
mingled with pleased surprise.
The Conte Cesare OLIVIA" he ex-
ciaimed. Il esteem myself most for
ltunate to have met you, Your arrival
has already been notified to us by the
Iavant-oourier of the fashionable in
telligence, so that we are well aware,
here laughing lightly, "of the distinc-
tive right you have to hearty well
come in Naples. ! am only sorry that
any 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 sunshine!"
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. Cod could | take his hand
in mean? I must-if | would act my
pari thoroughly-for should refuse he
would think 1t strange-even rude
should lose the game by one false
move. With a forced smile ! besi-
tatlngly held out my hand also-it
was gloved, yet as he clasped II
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 | endured at that moment
But 1t 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 1t 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, garcon, and couple OF
glcrias." Then looking toward me,
You do not object TO a gloria, conte7
No? That is well 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
roor one. We shall celebrate our
meeting by drinking each others