Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1881 — THE MYSTERIOUS CHEST. [ARTICLE]

THE MYSTERIOUS CHEST.

BY T. W. M.

Lovely and serene was the summer evening, in the year 1817, when a man apparently thirty years of age, and whim* naturally handsome countenance was marked with the traces of care and dissipation, entered the city of Florence. His garments were made in the most fashiouable style, but they were old and threadbare ;aud his dusty boots, soiled coudition autl languid walk bore testimony to the length and fatigue of his day’s journey. Nevertheless there "was an air of aristocracy about hfm which neither rags or suffering could efface; and his large black eyes were lighted with the fire of a proud soul aud a fine inteliect. He entered the beautiful 'Tuscan city between nine and ten o’clock at night, and presently stopped at a fountain to slack his burning thirst. That act on his part argued but indifferently for the state of his finances, as a brilliantly lighted case, where more comfortable refreshment might have been obtained, was close at hand. The traveler beheld it; and as he dropped the iron ladle, or spoon, which benevolence had caused to be fixed on edge of the fountain for the use of wayfarers as miserable as himself, he sighed, and murmurtd, “There—there was it that I first learnt the fatal habit which has made me what f am.” Then as if impelled by an attachment to the very habit which he-execrated in his soul,, he approached the windows of the case, and watched the games of cards at which the inmates were engaged. Presently the door of the case was flung open'; and two elegantly dressed gentlemen came forth. “You have been fortunate to-night, Blbler’s, said—one—a young man of about two and twenty, aa he took his companion’s arm. '“Pretty well, Vasari,” replied the other, who was at least ten years older, but who possessed a handsome countenance aud a tall, well-knit figure. “Ypu know that with my princely fortune the gain qr the loss of a few hundred pieces U nothing. But now let us repair to the Ferrod palace.” “The Ferront palace!” ejaculated the wretched traveler, who overheard the discourse.

“For to-night.” continued Ribiers, the beautiful Julia is to give me a decided answer whether she will receive my suit or not.” “To-night!” repeated the traveler; and he mechanically followed the two individuals whose discourse had apparently interested him so profoundly. . The Count de Riberia—for such was the person’s rank—and Signor Vasari pursued their way, without perceiving that they were followed, through several of the principal streets, until they reached a magnificent house, brilliant with light streaming from every window. The sounds of music echoed from within: and the air around was perfumed with the odors of the sweet flowers which festooned the open casements. The traveler watched the two gentlemen until they entered the mansion. He (hen walked slowly to the opposite side of the street, from which poinj he attentively watched the windows of the mansfon of the Marquis of Ferroni. Presently a group of ladies approached an open casement; and his eye fell upon one, -older but more beautiful than the rest, but whose cheeks were very pale, and whose air seemed to denote feelings by no means congenial with the gayety of the scene at which she was present. She was about twenty-five years of age: he* blue eyes were expressive of mildness; and her countenance wore a shade of melancholy. *! Tis she!” murmured the traveler; and he darted away, pecippately from the spot, 4aying to himself. “At all events I have seen her once more! And she is pale—and melancholy—and pensive! Can it be that she designs to bestow a thought on me?” The unhappy man wept as he asked himself this question—probably because he knew how unworthy he was of any interest on the of that beautifu being. He was hungry—but he for•goqthe cravings of want as he reflected upon wnat he had seen and heard that evelning—for he had heard that ahethe daughter of the Marquis of Ferro ni—was to give a decided answer to Count Ribiers that evening. And what would that reply be? " The miserable wretch hastened sway from the Vicinity of the Ferroni

mansion, and at length sank exhausted upon the step of the door. When he awoke again he was in a strange place—a cell, with white walls, an arched ceiling and barred windows met Us eyes. Scarcely had he time to collect his scattered ideas, when a gentleman in black entered the room, and appeared to be glad to flud him in an impproved condition of health. In answered to the questions put to him by the Invalid, this gentleman ■aid: “Yon were brought nit her four months ago from the hospital, to which place you had been conveyed in a state of Insensibility, having been K* iked up in the street at a late hoar. e condition into which Illness and other causes known only to yoanwlf, plunged you at the hospital, led to your removal thither.” “And where am j, then?” demanded the invalid, casting a terrified glance aionnd him. “In a lunatio asylum,” was the reply. “It is better that you should know the truth, than perplex your mind with the vain conjectures of ignorance and uncertainty. Compose yourself —Rod Id R.few days you will be quite restored to health, both mentally and physically. You can then leave the establishment.” “A lunatic asylum!” exclaimed the invalid with a shudder; , '‘And four months have passed away! “Four mouths,” repeated the surgeon; “but have you no friends whom you wish to be Informed of your p resent situation ?” “I have no friends. Mv own conduct has ilienated tnem all. I inherited a great fortune at my fathers death, eight years ago— and I was engaged to a lovely gin. But In an evil moment Ibecame a gambler, and killed a man In duel. I fled and In other Italian cities dissipated illmy wealth. The recent change ha the law concerning dueling In tne Tuscan state has induced me to retrace my steps to Florence, where I have an uncle who, perhaps will not refuse me a morsel of bread. But as for friends,” he added bitterly, who would be the friend of the gambler Ernesto Moral vi?” “Ernesto Morelvl!” cried the sur-

my namesaid the invalid.” “And you speak of wanting a crust!’’continued the surgeon. “Senor Morelvl, it is my pleasant duty to inform you that you are placed above want by circumstances — “Indeed, sir? Speak—do not keep me In suspense!” “The death of your uncle without a will has left you heir to his princely fortune. I was his medical attendant: and I have written to Rome and Naples—in a word, to every city in Italy—to seek for ypu.” “Providence has not deserted me, then!” ejacelated Ernesto; and he fainted through excess of Joy. ft ft * * * All Florence was excited by the news that the heir to ths immense wealth of the old banker, Signor Moralvi, who had diet! about a year previously, had at 4 length been found. But Erne to was an al ered man. He shunned all pleasure: the mere sight of a card made him shudder; and he passed his time, buried in his library, or in long solitary rambles-sometimcs on horseback, but more frequently on foot—on the banks of the Arno. The only star that could diflbse rays of hailpiness upon him, now shed lu a ter upon the dwelling of another—obedient to the imperious decree of an arbitrary father, Julia Ferroni had become the Countess of Ribiera. While Eroesto —from whom her heart had never for once been alienated, in spite of his vices and his absence — as tossing upon a bed of delirium, the hands of Julia and Ridbiere were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. Some months passed away from the date of Erhesto’B change of* for tune, and during that period he and Julia had frequently. * We are bound, as impartial historians, to state at first they met accidentally—then purposely. Court Ribiera was a neglectful husband. His time was passed in places of public amusement or private debauchery; and Julia’s conduct must ceitatnlvbeexteuuated, if not altogether excused, by this circumstance. „ How often she and Ernesto met we know not ; nor will we record the discourse which passed betweep them when they did so meet. Our purpose is to direct the reader’s attention to one particular evening, when Julia, in a charming neglige, was reclining upon the sofa in the bouboir, where over her fondly leant Ernesto Moralvi. Suddenly the door of an antechamber was opened, and the voice of the count issuing some orders to his valet, was heard. “My husband!” cried the affrighted woman. “Conceal yourself Ernesto —for my sake.” She glanced wildly around her; and her eyes rested upon a large, handsome and massively carved mahogany chest in the recess formed by one of the windows. Rushing toward It, she opened it; and. pressing a secret spring, a second lid, which divided the chest horizontally Into two. compartments, also flew open. “There —there! for my sake!” said the countess. “He never remains long at this hour —he comes to fetch money from yonder bureau, for his night’s diversions.” ' As the door of the room opened to admit*the count, the sound was echoed by"the falling of the seoond lid.

The countess was standing with apparent calmness, by the chest, the top lid of which was still open.. “What are you doing, Julia?” demanded the count, as he entered the room. „ . “Replacing these silver dishes and vases, which were used at yesterday’s banquet,” answered the countess, without the least apparent emotion; and she proceeded in a leisurely manner to convey several massive pieces of plate into the chest. “This is somewhat a menial employment for you, Julia,” said her husband. “I prefer counting the plate mysel" ere it be put away;—” and she placed the last articles in the chest. “You will be surprised, perhaps,. Julia,” continued the count, In a kinder tone than usual, “when I tell you that I am going to pass the evening with you here ’’ “You, my lord,” cried the countess. “Yes—certainly; and I have given Antonio orders to tell your women to serve up supper here.” The count threw himself upon the sofa;and Julia sat down upon a chair, her brain reeling. She felt as if hex* senses were leaving her. ‘•Tne truth is.” said the count’ after a pause, “I wish to consult you upon a purchase that I am anxious to make, or a beautiful seat in the vale of Arno; and as I am somewhat short of ready money at this moment, I thought that if your father But, holy Virgin! Julia, are you ill?” The countess gave no reply—but fell back senseless in her seat. The horrible ideas which filled her mind were too much for her to support; and nature was powerless beneath that load of agonizing terror. The count hastened to raise her—but she was a corpse! •#- • # Some year ago—twenty years after the occurrence just mentioned—the Count Ribiers returned to the Ferroni mansion, which, sinee the death of the oountess, had been uninhabited, save by a faithful steward and his wife, who had remained to take oars of the house, in which much valuable property had been left. The count returned from foreign travel with a young wife, whom he. though now advanosd in years, had espoused in Paris.

A grand eatorUinmeat sod ball were given to celebrate the return of the lord of the mansion, and to introduce the youthful countess to the eUm of Florentine society. Ere the supper was served up the countess, accompanied by several ladies, repaired to the boudoir, urged iy cuHoeity, to examine certain costly specimens of old-fashioned plate,of vi. . i - «.*.»u. had spoken, and which had remained undisturbed for years in a chest in that room. The count had moreover mentioned the existence of a seoond lid, with s secret spring, tbe lower department ot the box having been contrived for tbe better security of objects of great value or importance The countess raised the upper lid. and the old plate, dark and dingy with ru t met t >e eyes of herself and companions. A female attendant took tbe articles from the chest, and placed them upon the table. The countess theu, in accordance with the directions previously given her by her husband, pressed the secret spring: and the lower lid flewup. She uttered an exclamation of horror, and fainted in the arms of her attendant. That chest contained the remains of a human skeleton! On investigation next day, a ring was found in the chest; and on the stone was engraven the name of Ernesto. The secret of the sudden pang which bad caused the late countess’ death in so strange a manner and the mystery of Ernesto Morel vi’s abrupt disappearance from Florence precisely at tne same time were now explained.