Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-11-18

!
an owl, and coughed as though the
devil scratched in his throat.
The contessa!" he said. She is
gone.'
The signor then threw himself upon
GiacomO and shook him to and frC
as though he were a bag Of loose
wkeat.
'Gone!' and he screamed like a
madman! Where? Tell me where
dolt! idiot! driveler! before I twist
your neck for you.'
Truly, eccellenza, | would have
/ Scne to the rescue of the poor Cha
como, but respect for your command
kept me silent A thousand pardons,
s5gnor!' he whispered, out Of breath
with his shaking I will tell you in
stantly. She is at the COnvento DELI
| Administration miles from here
the saints know [ speak the truth
she left two days since
The Signor Ferari then flung away
the unfortunate Giacomo with so much
force that he feIl in heap on the
pavement and broke his lantern to
pieces. The old man set up most
pitiful grooming, but the signor cared
nothing for that. He was mad
tAiEk. Get to bed!' he cried, and
sleep-sleep till you die! Tell your
mistress when you see her that came
to kill her. My curse upon this house
and all who dwell in it, And with
| 10 hn ;,I~I IL, I,
garden into the high-road that L had
some trouble to follow him. There,
after walking, unsteadily for few
PAGES, he suddenly fell down, sense
less"
Vincenzo paused. Well" l said,
what happened next?"
"Eccellenza, I could not leave him
! there without aid. | drew my cloak
we'll up to my mouth and pulled my
hat down over my eyes SO that he
! could not recognize me. Then [ took
water from the fountain close by and
dashed it on his face. He soon came
| to himself, and taking me for a
| stranger, thanked me for my assis-
lance, saying that he had a sudden
! shock. He then drank greedily from
the fountain and went on his way
You followed?"
Yes, eccellenza-at a little distance.
He next visited a common tavern in
one of the back streets of the city and
| came out with two men. They were
well dressed--they had the air of gen
tlemen spoiled by bad fortune. The
| signOr talked with them for some
! time-he seemed much excited |
could hear what they said except at
the end, when these two strangers con-
| sented to appear as seconds for Signor
| Ferrai, and they at once left him, to
come straight to this hotel. And they
are arrived, for l saw them through
a half-Opened door as | came in, talk
| ing with the Marquis D'Avencourt"
Well" I said, "and what of Signor
Ferrari, and they at once left him to
! friends?'
There is not much more TO tell,
! eccellenza. He went up the little hill
| to his own studio, and l noticed that
! he walked like very old man with his
head bent Once he stopped and
| shook his fist in the air as though
! threatening some one. He let himself
! in at the door with a private key
and | saw him no more. | felt that
! he would not come out again for some
! time. And as l moved away to return
! here, | heard a sound as Of terrible
! weeping"
! And that is ALL Vincenzo?"
That is all, ecce11enza."
| was silent There was something
in the simple narration that touched
me, though l remained as determi-
nately relentless as ever. After few
moments I said;
you have done we'll, Vincenzo You
are aware how grossly this young
man his insulted me-and that his
injurious treatment can only be wiped
out in one way. That way is already
arranged. You can set out those pis-
tolls you cleaned
Vincenzo obeyed-but as he lifted
the heavy case Of weapons and set
them on the table, he ventured to re-
mark, timidly:
THE eccellenza knows it is now
Christmas-day?"
Il am quite aware of the fact"
said, somewhat frigidly.
In nowise daunted he went on
Coming back just now l saw the big
Nicolo-the eccellenza has doubtless
seen him ten?-he is a vine-grower
and they say he is the largest man il
Naples-three months since he nearly
killed his brother-ebbene! Tonight
that same big Nicolo is drinking
Chianti with that same brother an(
, both shouted after me as l passed
'Hola, Vincenzo Flamma! all is wei
between us because it is the blessed
'Christ's birthday Vincenzo stopped
and regarded me wistfully
Well" l said, calmly, what ha!
the big Nicilo or his brother to Ok
with me?"
My valet hesitated-looked up
/. then down-fnally he said, simply
l May the saints preserve the eccel
lenza from ali harm.'
l smiled gravely. THANK you, m,
1 friend! l understand what you mean
Have no fear for me. l am now go
i ing to lie down and rest till fv
|. o'clock or thereabouts-and l advis
: you to do the same. At that time yoI
[ can bring me some coffee
S And l nodded kindly to him as
t left him and entered nv sleenin!