Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-11-21
A ROMANCE OF
SENA JULIA
How Tom Annerly Secured an I'm
biased Opinion.
.C.008S.S.@4W.e

or ST Mary's had long since tolled out
the hour Of midnight, the brilliantly
lighted windows of tie Travellers club
presented a br ght contrast TO the gloom
Of the surrounding stores, and when a
little later the servant eXtinguished the
other lamps the lights in the smoking
room still burned with undimmed ra-
dance.
\ little circle of half dozen men
were gathered around the great fire
place in posturcs more comfortable
than elegant. and were listening with
breathless interest 10 a man who was
leaning awkwardly against the side Of
tie chimney.
His hands were thrust in the pockets
OF his Ill fitting trousers, and his lank
figure was emphasized and thrown in
relief by the light tints of the wall be-
hind him He certainly was not a
handsome man, yet there were an ex-
preston of manlineSs in the strong
face and n suggestion of strength in
the broad shoulders and deep chest
that never failed TO attract and charm
one
A silence now fell upon the little
group. and for some moments nothing
was heard except the cracking Of the
pine logs upon the hearth. Then out
from the depths Of an armchair in
10, ,t-.
II say. Tom, that last story Of yours
was awfully jolly. and that, but-er-it
had no romance in il, you know"
Annerly looked up and smiled
My dear fellow" he languidly inter
posed. my own LIE has never contain
ed the slightest thread of romance.
None of that" resounded from all
sides.
But If you really want love story
I'll give you one secondhand he fin
ished. apparently unmindful of the in
terruption:
When | was in Geneva some weeks
ago. | met an old acquaintance and fel-
low tourist. Graf Won Alburg. We took
our supper together and grew quite
confidential over our cigars and chiantl
afterward.
At first | was too much absorbed In
the food Of recollections which our
meeting called up to notice his reserve,
but soon saw that something was
weighing upon his mind. Curious to
find out what 1t was and debating with
myself as to whether | should speak 10
him about II or not. the count suddenly
looked up. He gaZed al me IN some
hesitation for a little while and then
said slowly:
"Annerly | know well that | can rely
upon your Judgment. and want your
advice. | am going TO tell you my story
and want you to weigh all the facts
carefully and then tell me what you
would do If you were in my place. VIII
you?"
After a few seconds thought | an.
swered Yes" There was short pause,
during which the count puffed furious
ly away at his cigar. and then he be-
gan:
Not long ago ! was tramping In the
Boehmerwald mountains and toward
evening found myself at Erlachan.
which nestles against the prpcipitous
side OF the tall Schneeberg The ap-
proach to II is long and steep, and
was well nigh exhausted with my
climbing. for had made all haste to
reach the village before darkness set
In.
1T was therefore. with a grateful
sense of relief that entered the warm
inn and throwing aside my knapsack
and belt. sal down 10 the supper which
Tas soon ready for me.
My pleasure however. was Of short
duration for hardly had got warm
and begun TO appeasp my hunger when
peasant entered the room and asked
hurriedly for the Herr Doctor.
lie left for Auvergne this very aft
ernoon.' said the inukeeper but. dear
heaven he exclaimed in surprise as he
saw the man totter and almost fan.
what Is the malterT
THE people at Sena Julia have fall
en- sick with the plague. but nature. so
long repressed by the mans force OF
VIII. here asserted itself. and he sank
heavily into chair
"'Gott. he Is dead; yes dead" eJacu-
lated the terrified landlord
Dead, Nonsense. He has tainted.
for saw that il was merely a swoon.
But where Is this Scna JuliaY
"Sena Julia Why. 1t is some six
miles from here over the mountain
and might as well be thousand such
night as this.
Nevertheless. there is but one thing
10 do. and that Immediately
And thar is?'
ITO go AZ once. | replied decisIvely,
casting n look Of deep regret at the in
terror or the bright little inn. and sigh
Ing as saw the pipes and ale which
the landlord bad set out on the table.
But you know. my dear Annerly. that
I ike TO do what have to without any
delay. and so. without more ado, be
gan to don my jacket and legg ngs, the
landlord meanwhile putting some food
and other uecessaries in my knapsack,
with many mournlul, shake Of the
head rs he pictured my dangerous
journey over the top or the Schnee-
berg.
Il stepped to the door and opened 1t.
1t was torn from my grasp and
slammed against the wall.
"'You see it WI be useless shouted
my terrified companion. You viii
never reach that cursed hamlet alive
"Picking up ny Little pocket lantern,
the Hight Of which was burning stead
lily beneath It's powerful reflector, |
stepped OFT intp H." fq"t"ess, 'Dia-
A StartlY Surprise