Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-11-11
CHAPTER XIV.

o.ofd see they were counting up the
ss,,l number for themselves. They
,s~a undeniably clever, cultivated men
~ the world, but the superstitious
zfament was in their blood, and all
with the exception perhaps of Free ia
ana the evercool Marquis D'Avencourt.
we're evidently rendered uneasy by the
fact now discovered. On Ferrari it
mad curious effect-he started VIC
Iantly and his face flushed "Diayolo."
be muttered, under his breath, aid
Selling his never-empty glass, he
swallowed lis contents thirstly and
quickly at one gulp as though at
lacked by fever, and pushed away his
pate with a hand that trembled nerv-
ousIy. /, meanwhile, raised my voice
and addressed my guests cheerfully:
Our distinguished friend Salustri is
perfectly right, gentlemen | myself
noticed the discrepancy in our number
some time 8go-but | knew that you
were all advanced thinkers, who had
long since liberated yourselves from
the trammels of superstitious obser-
ylnces, which are the result of priest
craft. and are left solely to the vulgar.
There oerlias inf bib
Therefore | said nothing. The silly
notion of any misfortune attending
the number thirteen arose, as you are
aware. out of the story of the Last
Supper and children and women may
possibly still give credence to the
fancy that one out of thirteen at the
table must be traitor and doomed to
die But we men know better. None
Of MS here tonight have reason to put
ourselves in the position Of Christ
@" a Judas-we are all good friends
and boon companions, and | cannot
suppose for a moment that this little
cloud can possibly affect you seriously.
Remember also that this is Christmas
eve. and that according to the worlds
greatest poet, Shakespeare.
Then no planet strikes,
No fairy tales, nor witch hath power
10 charm,
So Ralowed and so gracious is the
time"
murmur of applause and hearty
clappug of hands rewarded this little
speech and the Marchese Gualdro
sprung TO his feet
BY Heaven" he exclaimed eve re
nor a party of terrified old women %
shiyeT on the edge of a worn out
omen, Fill your glasses. signori! More
wine garcon, Per baccol if Judas
Iscariot himself had such feast as
Ou"s before he hanged himself, he
was not much to be pitied! Hola
amie. To the health of our noble h, st.
C0Ute Cesare Olva!"
He waved his glass in the air three
t.mes-eyery one followed his example
and drank the toast with enthusiasm.
/ bowed my thanks and acknowledge
mants-and the superstitious dread
which at first had undoubtedly seized
the company passed away quickly
the talking, the merriment, the laugh
Ter were resumed, and soon it seemed
as though the untoward circumstances
were entirely forgotten. Only Guido
F"rrari seemed still somewhat dis
tHrbed in his mind-but even his m
easneSs dissipated itself by degrees,
ana heated by the quantity of wine he
uaa taken, he began to talk with
D.4Stful braggartism of his many sue
cesstul gallantries and related his
most questionable anecdotes in such a
manner as to cause some naughty
astonishment in the mind of the Duke
a. Marina, who eyed him from time to
time with il-disguised impotence
'Dat pordered on contempt l, on the
''htfary, listened TO everything he
san with urbane courtesy humored
"." and drew him out as much as
r.'sib'e.-l smiled complacently at his
poor jokes and vulgar witticisms-
'1d when he said something that was
more than usually outrageous, | con-
.-hi'a myself with a benevolent shake
my head, and the mild remark:
An. young blood young blood"
TERED In bland sotto voce.
ne dessert was now served, and
WIN 1t came the costly wines which
aaa ordered to be kept back till then.
.t'e.ess Chateau Yquem," "Clos
A-eot, OF the rarest vintages, choice
'''plucello' and an exceedingly
.''To "Lacrima Cristi"-one after
'laer, these We're tasted, criticised.
heartily appreciated. There was
very unique brand of champagne
sung nearly forty francs bottle
was sparkling and mellow to
palate. but fiery in quality. This
.ratar beverage was so seductive
aFor that every one partook of it
with the result that the most
-. among the party now became
most uproarous Antonio Bis
ihe quiet and unobtrusive
-f together with his FELLOWSHIP
NEspfano pulci, usually the shy
E9nng men. suddenly grew ex-
and uttered blatant nothings
H.A- their art Captain Freccia
h@ nIceties OF swora5iay with