Show 07 r 7 2 at pisa in tuscany was a very old palace which had belonged to the dukes of Villac iosa held for long years in the family it was finally bought on the death of alullo the last ot the line by a man named galem berti who made the palace with its famous carvings by benvenuto el llna and mosaics de ignec by raphael and titian into a fashionable hotel for those who were willing to pay high prices tor the privilege of living amid these splendors of art yes yes my boy will be rich very rich some day galimberti Galem berti used to say and taking tn bis arms bis gaz ng fredly child with the large ad eyes he eu braced him said he you will be arfat lord but beppo only laid we will go to the mountains far away from the cities and we will drink milk and live on the arm in the pure air the incident here related occurred on a gaa day all the great people of the neighborhood came to pisa one day of the year to visit their friends n the town and every room in the house was spoken for galimberti Galem berti hurried here and there while beppo to avoid the noise took refuge in a window where looking out be could see the other boys at play in the street below suddenly among a group of strangers be saw a man gabing fixedly at the facade of the hotel his countenance was marked by sadness and dignity how like athos said the child who had read the novels of dumas all at once beppo saw him enter the courtyard of the hotel quitt ng his place at the window he hurried to the vestibule esti bule just in time to hear the stranger speak with a sharp clear voice to a servant i wish to speak to thy master be said I 1 will call my master the servant answered and galimberti Galem berti soon appeared with a look which beppo called the expression of a bad day what do you wish here demand ed galimberti Galem berti the stranger raised his head and replied I 1 wish a room your best one galimberti Galem berti made no answer I 1 wish our bedchamber the one where hangs the picture by raphael galimberti Galem berti could only answer you know it then take me there at once the little hand of beppo slid into that of bis father and he said please papa go with him stranger glanced sadly at the child while galimberti Galem berti answered but all my rooms are engaged by a club which may arrive any time now well tell them I 1 have the room here I 1 pay in advance ah well he gets the room who pays come little one galimberti Galem berti struck an attitude ot de as the stranger installed himself in the room the devil Is in that man under his rags he acts as if he were a king and a strange feeling of anxiety seized him the apprehensions of galimberti Galem berti were well founded for it was a real who was in that rich room once again after twelve years during his absence he had joined the greek army and at the battle of navarino was badly wounded in the head he was reported to have been killed then he had taken a whim to live as an artist in a city far from pisa un til a chance word had made known to him the ignoble fate of the home of his fathers thereupon he had made his way to tuscany now be would rescue the palace of the he thought he would proclaim his name a name known to all italy but who would believe him 7 this resuscitated man who would know or recognize hima when the clock struck for dinner the grand dining hall was crowded with guests multiplied himself red and rad nt among the attendants suddenly a door opened slowly and in the doorway appeared appe ired the stranger it was the moment when clulo duke of was to claim his own with a salute of one accustomed to rank and power he presented himself to the guests every cyp was turned on him gentlemen he said 1 am happy on my return to italy to feast with my friends in the house of my ances tors some one cried but who are youa I 1 am goulio duke of he is an impostor emlio died at snarled galimberti Galem berti no you fool G ulio was only wounded at and has this day returned to his home an old gentleman the count bar came forward gentlemen he said I 1 knew gi ilio s father he was my best friend I 1 am quite read to offer my hand to his son it he can furnish me proofs of his identity yes yes said galimberti Galem berti in despair we demand the proof you demand it answered guello with a laugh but turning to the fount bartholdi he added your request is ver just and I 1 to recene the embrace of my father s friend 1 low me then and ou too gentlemen all followed galimberti Galem berti trembling in the rear with little beppo the great staircase resounded un der the many feet and the door of the chamber of the dukes of was opened the picture of the ma donna seemed suddenly to grow ra biant diant with 1 assurance the strang er stood before the picture and seemed lost in contemplation Galen berti was triumphant he Is a madman but the madman after having ex the gold frame pressed upon a certain point near the lower corner A panel slid back and there was seen a small treasure box see said the duke all the wealth of left in safety then was confusion all present of their congratulations and good wishes while galimberti Galem berti profiting by the noise tool beppo s little hand and hurried away he had hardly reached the staircase when the voice of the duke was heard to say we have an account to settle with you et mr hotel keeper this child our child pleases me he was kind to the beggar as I 1 appeared to be a little while ago for this rea son I 1 do not wish you and he should be sorrowful in our day of joy I 1 take possession of my palace of which I 1 was defrauded but I 1 otter you the care of my estate at carrara there as here you will receive a large in no doubt you could open it if you knew how come and the fresh air and milk and eggs will be a happiness to you and your boy how happy was beppo and his father happy in him as the duke receiving a soft hand in his cried see now the contract Is signed and turning to the company vow for our dinner which you will forgive me that I 1 interrupted I 1 think I 1 have the appetite of an ox from the italian |