Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-15
CHAPTER T.
RE TRAIN FROM PALERMO


THE TRAIN FROM PALERMO
The train from Palermo was late
Already long. shadowy fingers were
reaching down the valleys across which
the railroad track meandered. Far to
the left. out Of an OpaTescent sea, rose
the fairylike Lipari islands. and in the
farthest distance Stromb0Ii lifted its
smoking cone above the horizon On the
landward side Of the train. as IL reeled
and squealsd along its tortuous course,
were gray and gold Sicilian villages
perched high against the hills or drOws-
ing among fields Of artichOke and
sumach and prickly pear.
Twenty-Five years ago a Sicilian rail-
way journey was a trial even 70 sea-
soned traveller. and Norvin Blake. as the
hours dragged along. remarked less and
less upon-the beauties OF the island
and more and more upon the medieval
condition OF the rickety railroad coach
in which he was shaken and buffeted
about Although this was his first
glimpse OF Sicily. he had watched the
same villages come and so all through
a long, hot afternoon, had seen the same
groves OF orange and lemon and dust
green olive trees. the same fields OF
Barbary hgs. the same rose-grown
garden spots until he was heartily tired
or them all
II was considerably after dark when
he alighted at san Sebastiano TO be
greeted effusively by a young man OF
about his own age. who came charging
through the gloom and embraced him
with a great hug.
sol At last you comet" the latter
cried Il have been here these three
hours eating my, heart out But. are
you weil9" -s
Never better. And youe All. there
is no need to ask You look disgust
ingly contented- One would think you
were already married"
MarteI Savigno. count of MartineIlo.
showed a row OF even white teeth be-
meath his military mustache and clap
ped MS friend a1eetionately u3On the
hack
at is good to be among my own peo-
pie. find, after all. that I am
Sicilian-"
The count was a well-set-up youth
OF an alert and active type, tall. dark.
and vtvaciOus. with a skin as smooth
as that OF girl He had an impulsive.
energetic nature that seldom left him
IN repose. and hence the contrast be-
tween the two men was marked. for
Sake was OF a more serious cast of
feature and possessed a decidedly
Angfo-Saxon reserve He was much the
heavier in build also. which detracted
from his height and robbed him of that
elegance which distinguished the young
Sicilian.
What the deuce made me agree to this
trip I don't know" the American de-
clare6 1T vas vile. I've been carsick.
seasick, homesick'-
And all for poor. lovesick Marteir'
The count laughed. ~Ah. but If you
knew now glad / am TO see you"
Really Then that squares it,
Blake spoke with that indehaable I'M
dertOne which creeps into mems voices
when friend meets friend. i've been
lost without you, too. was quite
ashamed OF myself
The count turned to smiddIe-aged
man with a rife, who had remained in
the shadows. saying: -.
This is Ricardo Fara. my good right
hand. OF whom you have heard me
speak The overseer raised his hat
ana Blake took his hand, catching a
glimpse OF a grizzled face and a stiff
mop Of iron gray hair. You will see
TO Signore Blake's baggage. Ricardo; he
has come all the way from Paris to at
tend my wedding. Michele. Ippolito."
the count called. The carreta. quick
". And now. caro- Norvin. for the last
leg OF your journey. Win you ride in
the cart or on horseback? II is not
far. but the roads are steep a-. 49,
Horseback. by all means. My mus
cles need exercise"
The young man mounted a pair or
compact Siciiisn horses. which were
held BY stin another man in the street
behind the depot. and set or up the
winding road which climbed TO the
town above. AS the riders clattered
through the poorly lighted village Blake
saw the customary low-roofed- houses.
the usual squalid side streets. more
Ike steep lanes than thoroughfaFes. and
heard the townspeople pronouncing the
name Of the Count of Martinello. while
the ever-present horde Of urchins fed
from their path.
After a brief gallop they drew up at
big. dark house, hidden among the
deeper shadows OF many trees. and in
answer TO MarteHs shout a wide door
was flung back; then by the light which
streamed forth from IL they dismounu-
ed and made their way up a flight of
stone steps. Once inside Savigno ex-
claimed.
Welcome 10 my birthplace, A thou
sand Welcomes SEEKING Norvia by the
shoulders he whirled him about. Let
me see you once. Ali i am glad you
made this sacrifice for me. for 1 need
you above all men" His eyes. though
bright with affection. were grave
something unusual in him-and the
other inquired quickly:
esHThnreiH nothing wrong I hone p