The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-06-27

was much confusion every one was
contributing his share of information
which the clerk was noting down.
Owing to the emotions that absorbed
al present, my entrance was not no.
tied. l did not regret this, fearing
let my presence might increase the
trouble of my poor friends, and take
frm them that calmness of which they
had so much need. Placing myself so
asnot to.be discovered by them. ex-
ahmed what was passing.
)ne thing struck me above every
thing else, and soon completely alb.
sobed my whole attention: that was
tn attitude of Erica. With dry eve,
erct brow, and dilated nostriis. she
Preen, d nothing of tho apnearance
OF me s.ricken in what she holds most
dear ksa- whole frame, which | ex-
I.cted % find rru~a-- L.. rr;of soomod
10 breathe kind of savage energy and
an indomitable pride; her lips were
open, ike those of person listening
with attention, but trembled not: no
neSous movement agitated her hand.
nedigently resting on the table before
her, and no contractions affected the
superluman immobility of her brow.
Fromtime to time. her father, no doubt
as mich confounded as Twas at her
calmress, would turn towards her and
contemplate with an anxiety that as
sumedthe character of terror, as the
scene vas prolonged.
Eacl moment new comers arrived
with additional information, and all OF
a very contradictory character. Marco
had riNls, but was not known to have
enemie yet that it was an assassina-
tion void not admit of doubt; and, for
the hong of Tempo, it was necessary
to discover who was guilty.
The faher of Marco was present he
rose, ant with face wet with tears,
looked round upon all who were pres
ent: then he said slowly, and with a
firm voice.
"Podest,t charge the Feretti with
having don, this deed l demand justice
against then"
A faint nurmur of discomfort ran
through the assembly. The Feretti
were the mos honored men in Tempo,
next to the Podestat, and it was we'll
known that taey had recently pre-
vailed in lawsuit against the Broggi.
aMurmur as much as you please" /"
repeated the father of Marco; II have
my proofs, and ] will produce them
when the time comes. In the mean.
while, demand the arrest Of the Fe.
retti. Why are they not here, like all
the other chief men Of the town! You
cannot fail to see that their very alb
sence accuses them"
All eyes were turned to scrutinize the
room-ttc Fcrrtti were sndcod ebeenf
The Podestat leaned forward and gave
in low voice. an order to his clerk Il
draw up warrants for the arrest of the
accused. He had not finished this or
der before his daughter Erica, drawing
herself up by his side, like an avengine
spectre. raised her hand and motionec
that she wished to speak. A dead 81
lence prevailed; every one felt that ths
truth was now to be told decisively.
sSeek no longer" said Erica, " TO
the guilty one. Here is the dagger tina
inflicted the fatal wound, and the hant
that throws it TO You struck the blow
As she said this, the young maidel
drew a dagger from her bosom, and lie
it fall upon the table before the Podes
tat.
"Signor Broggi," said she, turnin.
towards the father of Marco, Il loves
your son-I loved him so we'll" sh'
continued. after few moments Of pain
full silence. 9that had consented I
ly from my fathers house to MARI.
him secretly. What think you he dare
to tell me. when we were alone in tn
middle of the night, and he supposed
had so far compromised my honor tina
I could not recede! He dared to tel
me that he was already betrothed I
the daughter of Martha Corbari, an
that he was going to marry her in
few days but he added, she could'ne
| live long. and then he would come an
reioin me at Cagliari, whittier he wa
now about to conduct me. In a mt
ment | saw that had given up m
own blood, my honor, my love, for vii
wretch. drew this dagger and sle'
him! Now let them judge the deed.
She resumed her seat, serene, prou
and intrepid, her voice never once fa
tering in the midst Of her confession
and her eye shrunk not even from tn
sight Of the bloody dagger. She wa
sublime, magnificent; she seemed u
living personification Of the ancier
pride Of the maiden of Sardinia.
A thrill Of mingled admiration an
horror ran through the assembly-ys
| it seemed to me that the former wa
the prevailing feeling-there was b
side personal influence in her favo
The elder Broggi who would hav
much preferred, Il his son must di'
that he should have fallen by the han
of the Feretti, that he might then hav
the consolation Of vengeance, waite
, until the murmur of the crowd ha
| somewhat subsided, and then thus .
dressed the unhappy Martinoli, WI
was thunderstruck by the revelation
his daughter.
GPodestat, she has murdered my %
, and now calumniates him. ] deman