Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-06-22

Francesca !! he said at last, raising bis
head from her lap.
What says my fishermen ? she replied,
holding up his rough cap with a smile.
Palette started, but recovering his com.
posure. instantly took the cap from her
jeweled fingers and threw it carelessly
upon his head
Francesca who is your husband? ?
'Paletto.'
And who is Palette?
j would have asked sometimes. but
your kisses have interrupted me. Yet ]
know enough
'What know you p
That he is rich and noble seignior of
Venice
DO look one to night ?,
'Nay-for masquerade, have never
seen a better ! Where learned you TO
look so like fisherman and row so like
goudol'er
Palette frowned.
Francesca = said he, folding his arms
across his bosom, Il am the son of fish
erman, and was bred to row the gondola
beneath you,'
The slernness of his tone checked the
smile upon her beautiful lip, and when she
spoke It was with look almost as stern al
his own.
You mock me too gravely, Palette |!
But come! / will question you in your
own humor. Who educated the fisher.
mans son ?
The fisherman
And his palace and his wealth whence
came they, Signor Pascatore?
The scornfuI smile of incredulty with
which this question was asked, speedily
fled from her lip as Palette answered it.
Listen ! Three months since had
never known other condition than fisher
man of the lagoon. nor worn other dress
than this in which you see me. The first
property | ever possessed beyond my days
earnings, was this gondola. II was my
fathers, Gannotto the fisherman. When
it became mine by his death, l suddenly,
wearied of my tame life, sold boat and
nets, ard with thoughts which you cannot
understand, but which have brought you
here, took my way to the Piazza. A night
of chance, begun with the whole Of my
Inheritance staked upon a throw, left me
master Of wealth had never dreamed Of
became a gay signore. 1t seemed TO me
hat my soul had gone out of me, and a
new spirit, demoniack if you will, had
taken possession. no longer recognised
myself passed for an equal with the
best-born, my language altered, my gait,
my humour One strong feeling alone
predOmlnated an insane hatred to the
rank in which you were born, francesca
IL CT f0n hot / tp,, -,
manners. bought the palace you have
just left, and filed it with costly Injuries.
And then there grew upon me the desire
to humiliate that rank-to pluck down to
myself some one Of its proud and cherished
daughters such as you =
Francesca muttered something between
her teeth. and folded her small arms over
her bosom. Palette went on.
crossed to Florence with this sole in-
tention. Unknown and unlimited, entered
he palace at the fete of the Boboli, and
looked around for q victim. You were the
proudest and most beautiful. chose you
and you are here
Palette looked at her with smile, and
never sunbeam was more unmxed with
shadow than The smile which answered it
on the lips Of SpinoIa's daughter.
My Palette ! she said, you have the
soul Of noble, and the look of one. and
am your bride. Let US return to the pail
ace.'
i have no palace but this = he said, s:ri-
king his hand like bar of iron upon the
side of the gondola. You have not heard
out my tale
A. NTH forn ,,pp,ouot nc
marble.
This night, at play, lost all. My ser.
wants are dismissed, my palace belongs to
another. and with this bark which | had
repurchased, am once more Palette the
fisherman
A slight heave of the bosom Of the fair
Florentlne was her only response to this
astounding announcement. Her eyes turn
ed slowly from the face of the fisherman,
and fixing apparently on some point far out
IN the Adriatlc, she sat silent, moti0nless
and cold.
i am man, francesca said Palette
of the lagoon around them, seemed like
suspension Of the breathing of nature, and
i have not gone through his insane dream
without some turning aside OF the heart.
Spite Of myself loved you, and | could
not dshonor you. We are married, Fran.
cesca!'
The small. dark brows of the Florentine
lowered till the sken sshes they overhnng
seemed starting from beneath her forehead.
Her eyes flashed fire below.
Bene" said Palette, rising TO his feet,
'one word more while we have silence
around us and are alone. You are free to
leave me, and will so far repair the
wrong have done you, as TO point the
way. 1t will be daylight in an hour. Fly
to the governors palace, announce your
birth. declare that you were forced from
your father by brigands, and claim his pro.
lection. The world will believe you, and
the consequences to myself. | will suffer