The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-05-08

HE first time got into conversation
was in the National Museum in Naples
IN the rooms the ground floor con-
ezss-sS tanning the famous collection Of
ISEES2i brOnzes from Herculaneum and Pom
He addressed me first It over the celebrated
Resting Hermes whom had been admiring side
by side. He said the right thing about that wholly
admirable piece. Nothing profound His taste
was natural rather than cultivated.
We had known each other by sight for some few
days past Staying IN the same hotel-good but not
exAravagantIy up to dateI had noticed him in the
vestfbule going in and out judged he old
and valued client. The bow the hotekeeper treated
him TO cordial in its Difference, and he acknowl
edged it with familiar courtesy. For the servants
he II Conte.
Having conversed at the NIuseo (and by the by,
he had expressed his dislike OF the busts and statues
Of Roman Emperors in the gallery Of marbles; those
faces were too inglorious, pronounced for him)
Having conversed already in the morning did not
think I was intrudiug when in the evening, finding
the dining room very full proposed 70 share his lit
tie table To judge by the quiet mbanity Of his
manner he did not think either. His smile was
very sympathetic.
He had tried various climates OF Abbazla OF the
Riviera OF other places too. he told me- but the
only which suited him was the climate OF the
Gulf OF Naples. The ancient Romans, he pointed
out to me, who We're men expert in the art OF liv-
ing knew very well what they were doing when
they built their villas these shores, in Baic in
Vico, in Capri. They down to this seaside
to get health bringing with them their mines and
flute players to amuse their leisure. He thought
It extremely probable that the Romans Of the higher
classes were extremely subject to painful rheu'
matte affection.
This was three years ago and ever since he had
taken I'D his quarters on the shores Of the gulf.
either in one of the hotels in Sorrento or hiring
small villa in Capri He had piano. few books,
picked up transient acquaintance OF a day, week,
or month in the stream OF travellers from all
Europe
1t must not be imagined that he was wearisome
hypochondriac He was really much too well bred
to be a nuisance. He had an eye for the small
weaknesses of humanity. But it was a good-na-
tured eye. He made restful, easy, pleasant COM
panion for the hours between dinner and bedtime.
We spent three evenings together. and then had
to leave Naples IN a hurry to a friend who had
fallen gravely i'll in Taormina- Having nothing to
do the Count came TO see me off at the station. L
was somewhat upset, and his idleness was always
an indolent man
My friends illness having taken decidedly fav-
orsable turn returned to Naples the tenth day.
I cannot say I had given much thought to the
Count during my absence, but upon entering the
dining room looked for him in his habitual place.
had an idea he might have gone back to Sorren-
TO- to his piano and his books and his fishing. He
was great friends with all the roatmen, and fshed
a good deal with lines from a boat But he was
still there I made out his white head IN the crowd
OF heads, and even from a distance noticed some
thing unusual in his attitude Instead OF sitting
erect gazing all round with serene urbanity, he
seemed to droop over his plate 1 stood opposite
him for some time before he looked uF, a, little
wildly. II such strong word can be used in con-
nection with his correct appearance.
~Ah my dear siri Is it you?" he greeted me. u
hope all is well"
He was very nice about my friend. Indeed he
WIS always nice, with the niceness Of people
whose hearts are genuinely humane But this time
# cost him an effort. His attempts at general con
versation broke down into dullness. It occurred
to me that he might have been indispOsed But
before could frame the inquiry he muttered:
"You find me here very sad"
"T am sorry for that" said you haven't had
bad news, I hope?"
II was very kind OF me to take an interest. No.
It was not that. 70 bad news. thank God. And he
became very STILL If holding his breath Then.
leaning forward a little and in odd tone Of awec
embarrassment he took me into his confidence
THE truth IS that / have had a very-a very
how shall say?-abominable adventure happen
to me-"
The energy Of the epthet was sufficiently start
ling in that man Of moderate feelings and toned
down vocabulary The word unpleasant should
have thought would have fitted amply the worst
experience likely to befall Of his stamp And
an adventure too. Incredible But it is human
nature TO believe the worst and / confess I eyed
hin, steadily wondering what he had been up TO.
In a moment, however. my unworthy suspicious
vanished There fundamental refinement OF
,atrra aflout the man, which made dismiss all
ideas of some more or less disreputable scrape.
ssTt is very serious, very serious, he went on
,ervonsy at will tell you after dinner, IL you
viii allow meE
al directly we had taken our usual seats. he
1.-,a5 Sideways over the arm Of his chair and
Hooked straight into my eyes earnestly
.svo,, remember" he began, that day you went
away? I told you then / would go 10 tne villa