Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-25

would have entertained these poor people
so magnificently. but there is no. reason
ing with him when he has an idea"
1T is the finest display since the fair
at San Felice two years ago." the colonel
acknowledged. They had come out upon
the open piazza which overlooked the
lawn, and the other guests who had been
present at the supper had followed suit,
and were gathered there to admire the
| spectacle.
The. country people will never finish
| discussing it. Why, it has been the
greatest event this village ever wit
messed. And Margherita! Have you ever
seen her so beautiful?" The old lady
spoke with pride, for she was very
happy.
'Neverr' Colonel Neri fondled his
mustache tenderly. she is ablaze with
love. oh, that Martel has broken all
our hearts, lucky fellow. I could hate
him if did not like him So
you men, without exception, pretend
to adore her. but it is flattery; you
know that she loves it and that it pleases
me. Now Martel-Madonna Mia! What
I IS this?" She broke off sharply and
pointed toward the main gateway to the
grounds.
BY the light that CLEANED from the
trees on each side of the driveway men
could be seen approaching at a run;
1 others were hurrying toward them across
the terrace, calling excitedly to one an
1 other. A woman screamed something I'M
intelligible,- but the tone of her voice
brought hush over the merrymakers.
In the midst of the group coming up
| the road was one who labored heavily.
He was bareheaded gray with dust, and
he staggered as if wounded.
Some one has been hurt" exclaimed
| the colonel. ''Maledetto! There has
been a rIgnr." He dropped his COM
panion's arm and FASTENED to the steps
then half way down paused staring. He
whirled quickly and cried to the old
| lady, Wait! Do not come"
But Madame Fazello\ had seen the
white face of the runner, and Screamed:
Mother of God The Americanr"
The other guests from the balcony
! pressed forward with alarming inquir-
les. No one guessed as yet what had
oefallen, but the loud voices died away,
a murmuring tide swept the merry
makers toward the CASTILLO.
What. has happened, signore?" Col
onel Neri was crying. Speak,
The Natal" Blake gasped. ''Martel
is His knees sagged, and he would
have pitched forward had not the sol
der supported him. I'VE met them-in
| the woods. Cardi'-
"Cardi!' echoed the colonel in a harsh
voice.
'Cardi!% came from dozen frighten-
| ed threats. The Donna Teresa uttered
a second shrill cry and then through
the ranks of staring. chalk-faced peas
ants the countess came, running
swiftly
"Cardi" she cried What is this ]
hear?"
Go away, signorina 1 beseech YOU"
exclaimed the colonel of Carbineers
Something dreadful has occurred" But
she disregarded him and faced Norvin
Blake.
He raised his dripping. dust-smeared
! face and nodded, whereas she closed her
eyes an instant and swayed. But she
| made no cutlery.
/ Take her away" he wheezed pain
FUZZY. God in heaven! Don't you
understand"
Even yet there was no coherent
speech, and the people merely stared at
each other or inquired DULY:
What did he say? What is this
about Cardi?"
Take her away Blake repeated. But
the countess recovered herself and with
a little gesture bade him go ON. He
told his story haltingly, clinging to the
colonel to prevent himself from falling.
his matted head rolling weakly from
side to side. When he had finished a
! furious clamor broke forth from the
men, the women, and the children. Neri
commanded them roughly to silence.
Run to the village, some one, and
give the alarm" he ordered in a voice of
a sick man. Call Sandro and his men
and bid them bring extra horses"
| A half dozen leet-footed youths broke
away and were off before he had fin
ished speaking. Then Blake was helped
into the hall of the CASTILLO, where the
confusion was less.
Lucrezia FeraTa, who had been in
the rear of the house, and was among
the last to hear the evil tidings, came
running to him with colorless lips and
eyes distended, crying:
1.-THE truth. signore, for the love of
Christi They tell me he is murdered
but / know it is lie"
The notary's wife attempted to calm
her, but the girl began to scream. fling
ing herself upon her knees at the feet
of the American, begging him to tell
her it was all mistake.
my father would not die she cried
loudly. "He was here but an hour ago.
and he kissed me-" She would not be
Gained and became so violent that it, re-
quired force to remove her. As soon as
she was out of the way Colonel Neri
began questioning Norvin rapidly, at the
same time striving by his own example
/ to steady the young man, who was in
terrible condition of collapse. Bit by.
bit, the soldier learned all there was
! to learn of the shocking story, and
through it all the Countess Margherita
stood at his elbow, never speaking. Her
eyes were glazed with horror. her lips
were whispering something over and
over but when her cousin aDpealed to
her to leave the scene she seemed not
! to hear him. She only stood and stared
at the exhausted man until he could
bear il no longer, and hiding his face
in his hands, he began to shiver and
cringe and sob.
CONTINUED in Next Issus.l